How Can I Fix a White Sky in My Outdoor Landscape Photos?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the issue of achieving proper sky coloration in outdoor landscape photography, particularly when the sky appears white. Participants explore various techniques and tools to enhance sky saturation and manage dynamic range challenges in photography.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that using a polarizing filter can significantly improve sky color saturation, with one suggesting a quick test using polarizing sunglasses.
  • Another participant explains that the dynamic range between shadows and highlights can overwhelm the camera sensor, proposing a technique of locking exposure by pointing at a brighter part of the scene before recomposing the shot.
  • A variation of the exposure locking technique is suggested, involving the use of forced flash to illuminate subjects in front of a bright sky.
  • One participant mentions the option of using Photoshop to enhance sky appearance, indicating that even professionals may resort to this method.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various techniques and tools to address the issue, but there is no consensus on a single best method. Multiple competing views and approaches remain in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some techniques rely on specific camera capabilities, such as exposure locking and flash settings, which may not be available on all models. The effectiveness of suggested methods may vary based on individual circumstances and equipment.

Greg Bernhardt
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Many time with an outdoor landscape photo my sky will be white. I'm using new panasonic lumix. Usually I keep it on iauto. High dynamic helps but sometimes it messes with colors.
 
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I have that problem a lot as well- AFAIK, the standard method to increase the sky's color saturation is to use a polarizing filter.

You can quickly try it out if you have some polarizing sunglasses (or a sheet of polaroid) lying around. I've noticed a big improvement, but have been to cheap to buy a proper filter.
 
But essentially the dynamic range between deepest shadow and highest light in the sky is too much for the sensor.

There are some tricks to cope with that. The simplist for a point and shoot camera -wih no controlling- is to point the camera towards a fairy bright part of scenery, push the shutter button slightly to lock the exposure settings, keep it there while recomposing the picture and push all the way to release the shutter.

Then look at the result and try again if not satisfied, (trial and error) pointing to a more or less bright part in the scene.

Edit:

Another trick, slight variation, for something close in and a bit dark, with a bright sunny sky.

1: Preselect flash - forced on.
2: Point at the sky (away from the sun) and push shutter button half.
3: recompose the picture on the subject and release the shutter full,

(the exposure settings are now right for the sky and the flash will light up the subject (again - should be close) to brighten it up.
 
Last edited:
Another trick: take some images of nice looking skies with pretty clouds, then use photoshop.

Even professionals sometimes own up to doing that!
 

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