I am sure quite a few photographers can relate to this type of conversation on a bright, sunny summer day;
Random person: “Nice day, eh?”
Photographer: “So, so I guess..”
Random person: “What do you mean?! There isn’t a cloud in the sky”
Photographer: “Yeah, that’s the problem!”Random person walks away puzzled.
It may seem strange to the ordinary person, but photographers are not ordinary – in fact they may be considered quite dysfunctional. 
I am no exception. Why the heck are we always evaluating the weather for subject potential? I will take rain and drizzle, anything short of a roaring downpour over a clear, sunny day anytime.
Of course there are many photographic reasons for this – light too harsh, too contrasty, compositions are difficult in controlling bright regions vs. dark, technical limitations on exposure, shorter periods of time to be shooting, tonal harmony, etc, etc. Quite frankly, a bright sunny day can be quite boring photographically, with occasional rare exceptions. (OK, I’ll give you sunflowers! ) Nice day? Bah humbug!
Those dramatic ends of the day, the detail revealing powers of overcast light, and the color saturation from a fresh rain are what we crave. Is it an obsession with drama? Is it why we find troubled and dramatic movie characters more interesting than plain happy ones? How can bright sunshine make some so happy but leave those strange nature photographers in disappointment?
I find the psychology of this incredibly interesting. It is actually hard at times to separate thinking photographically because many of us have it flowing through our blood all the time. We can’t deny the benefits of shooting in good light, but perhaps once in awhile, on occasion, we just enjoy the day for what it is.
I can’t agree more! Recently, when helping my friend with his photography, he was a little bit perplexed as to why I kept wishing for clouds. Finally, when we got some clouds that finally rolled it and after getting home to see the results, he discovered the beauty of an overcast day!
I think that it is a factor of our equipment limitations, first with film, then with sensors, which seem to have less dynamic range than film. Also, the shadows, shapes, textures, etc. just look better in morning light or better with no shadows at all, as in when it is overcast.
No nice sunny days for me! There were plenty of opportunities to photograph in Akron. It seemed to be cloudy most of the time!
Yes…. the psychology of it all. I live on the coast of California where fog drifts in and out and at times, never leaves. I use to long for the warm sunshine to remain and drive elsewhere when the grayness was too much. But now…. with photography…. I submerge myself in the sometimes overwhelming overcast. It not only assists in creating beautiful images but allows me to sink into a quietness and dig deep inside to write prose that I probably wouldn’t be able to discover or write otherwise.
I think photographers and all creative individuals do live in a somewhat different realm…. mainly in our heads, but that’s OK. Just keep creating and every once in a while, be with people so that you remember how to interact. And do it when it’s sunny : )
Diane and Paul – I am glad I am not alone in my dysfunctional feelings!
Thank you for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
I would call it dysfunctional, but it definitely becomes an obsession. But it is a learned obsession from time spent photographing. A local photography group that I attend occasionally has lots of new photographers. There have been a number of events to go out and shoot somewhere together that have been canceled due to rain. That is the time time go out and shoot. Don’t worry about your gear, your using it for what it is designed to do. As long as you protect it from getting drenched, the results you can capture in less than ideal conditions is worth it!
Very true. I love shooting in the rain. I have some of the awesomest shots in the Smokey Mountains. I don’t know if the atmosphere of rain could be any prettier any where else on earth. I love the peaceful hush as well. It’ll drive some tourist inside as well giving you much needed breathing room. I’m definitely a drama guy loving black and whites, Ansel Adams and Rembrandt. That is some drama. Great article! I saw an article in Outdoor Photographer of a photographer using extreme neutral density filters to shoot in broad daylight and came up with some awesome shots. Take care.
I’ve been enjoying your comments about the challenges and joys of nature photography on this blog. Please keep cogitating!
Boyd, I am with ya man – the Smokies in the rain are the best!
Greg, yes – perhaps all of us should start a shooting in the rain club!
Bitter – thanks for stopping by, I am glad you enjoyed your visit.
That is so true Mark!
I’m lucky to have severe hay fever as well, so bring me a cold and rainy summer’s day any time! Sun and blue skies means time spent indoors for me as my eyes become swollen, teary and usless!
Hey punk, cloud my day!
If I happen to be somewhere shooting where there are people, and the weather is bright and cloudless, I always get that “perfect day for photography” and “I bet you got some great stuff”. At first I tried to explain, now I just agree and walk on.
I was at a park near my home this spring and I was shooting some wildflowers and I had just pulled out a couple of lite discs, a couple walked by and asked what those were for, I explained to them about the harsh light, and as they walked away the man said to his wife that the light made the shot and I was probably ruining it by blocking the sun. People never cease to amaze me.
A cloudless day is not a photographer’s friend, no matter how blue that sky is! I enjoyed this post, Mark. I could really relate. Photography does have a language of its own, and I think that’s why you received a lot of nods for this topic.
Bernie, your comments about using the diffusers made me laugh.
Hey Mark, I love high overcast with one exception – I like a break in the clouds at the horizon at the beginning and end of each day in the direction of the sunrise / sunset. That way I can have that warm light, and even a sunset, and can still shoot all day. That can be a productive combination.
Ron
This kind of reminds me when my friend and I were shooting a small gold mining town in the Sierra foothills during a big wildfire. The wildfire caused the sun to be this big red ball of fire during hte middle of the day. It was like shooting magic hour in the middle of the day. One lady in the post office came out and was dumbfounded that we were walking around in such polluted air quality. My friend responded that “It is a great day for photography.”