What do you do when the light is bleh?

elven

I've been so frustrated because I've not had the inclination to take the camera out when it's cloudy and the light is really flat and boring, especially in the city. Does anyone actually have any pictures that they've taken on days like this that they really like? What can you shoot when there are no shadows, apart from portraits?

Feels like I'm always moaning about this and nobody else seems to bother... what am I missing here? Do you all just find something else to do instead of photography? Or is there inspiration to be had?

Fajitas!

Go inside!

ChityWest

I know what you mean. I did these last week when the weather was crap and overcast. Also because I wanted to try something different than the shots I usually take.

http://www.deviantart.com/view/33067691/

http://www.deviantart.com/view/32762061/

The lens flare overkill is because I am pretty new to photoshop and the picture was a bit plain otherwise - I think it makes it look more cheesy & 1980's

Sarsfield

Macros and tight crops of subjects with striking colours can come out much better in dull light. I know it's a cliché but try a few bright red or yellow Georgian doors and see how they come out.

elven

Like those pics chitywest - the first one is my favourite. What was the setup you used?

Sarsfield - I keep looking at the doors then thinking it's just going to look like a million others pictures, as you say a little cliché but still, the bright colours I could probably look out for elsewhere....

ChityWest

They were taken with a 70- 300m zoom - just placed a phone on a keyboard with a camera lens beside them - all on a bed and then tried to get as close in as I could.

The only light is coming in the window with the curtains pulled back.

I would agree with the point above about the macro lens - thats definitely the next one I need to get. Any recommendations on them for a canon ?

elven

I'm still using the extension tubes. Don't know if I'd go to the expense of a macro lens when they've done the job so far, depends how fussy you are and I can't really tell the difference to be honest.

ChityWest

Could I ask where did you get them ? What model are they ? Also how much are they ?

Tbh I have heard people mention them before - still pretty ignorant of what exactly they are. Googling away as we speak

elven

I got them in Jessops. It was about 70 quid (pounds) for a set of three, 15mm, 25mm and 35mm and you can use two or more together to get even closer. You can see them on the jessops.co.uk.

ChityWest

Cheers - found a good site about them too if anyone else is curious its:

http://www.oncloserinspection.com/Photomacrography/Articles/Extubes/extubes.htm