Here are a few simple tips to capturing dramatic skies.

Shooting during the magic hours sunrise and sunset.  Sunrise brings colder light with a blue and magenta color cast.  While sunsets are warmer and thus more reddish.  The following links can be used to easily calculate the sunrise and sunset times in your area.

International

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/sunrise.html

Canada:

http://www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/services/hia/sunrise-sunset.html

Dramatic skies are often associated with bad weather.  Watch your weather forcast as changing weather brings interesting skies.

Cloud formations should be studied.  Various types of clouds reflect light differently.  Watch for cumulus or “puffy” clouds.  Altostratus clouds are the flat middle level clouds that are appear as gray, puffy masses, sometimes rolled out in parallel waves or bands. The appearance of these clouds on a warm, humid summer morning often means thunderstorms may occur by late afternoon and may result in colorful sunsets.

Its no secret that dramatic light results in dramatic images.  Therefore, pick your favorite locations and return during different light.  Learn how the location is affected by various weather conditions and shoot, shoot, shoot.

Dan Kosmayer