Light is an essential ingredient in cooking up a photographic image. No light, no photo, no how.
As travelers, we want plenty of sunshine bouncing off the subjects of our photos, making the colors “pop” or casting shadows that lend an air of mystery to the 
image. If the sun hides behind thick clouds, we’re inclined to leave our cameras stowed away rather than straining our brains to figure out how to take a memorable shot.
If you are staying in a place for a few days, you might be able to wait for a change in the weather that will let the sun once again light up the landscape. But when I found myself with only a single day to spend touring the chateaux in France’s Loire Valley, I had just one option: Try to find a scene that would lend itself to an image imbued with the melancholy that gray skies bring on.
Fortunately for me, Chateau de Chenonceaux, reflecting its austere façade into the still waters of the Cher River, proved to be the perfect photographic subject on a sunless September day. (Visit Budget Travelers Sandbox for more of this week’s Travel Photo Thursday shots.)
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2012 Dick Jordan
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{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: InsideJourneys
March 22, 2012 at 10:19 AM
It does take a little more planning when there’s no or little light. Had challenges with some night shots this week. I can relate.
InsideJourneys recently posted..Hiking Jamaica’s Blue Mountain
Shooting in low light situations is problematic without a tripod, particularly with point and shoot cameras.
Twitter: easyhiker101
March 22, 2012 at 11:58 AM
I’ve only got a point and shoot so I’m really hostage to sunshine or no sunshine. I get by and I do like these reflection shots. Always very interesting.
Michael recently posted..Easy Hiking Is Adventure For Beginners
Like you, I carry a point and shoot camera. On overcast days, I usually look for a small, colorful detail, like a mural on the wall of a building, or insects pollinating wildflowers. I also use Photoshop Elements to increase the color temperature and saturation if a shot looks too dull.
Twitter: countryskipper
March 22, 2012 at 12:16 PM
The reflection is beautiful! Makes a picture that much more interesting.
Sabrina recently posted..Things to do in Rouen France on a Sunday Morning
Twitter: TravelingWithS
March 22, 2012 at 1:20 PM
I never want to let those moments pass waiting for the right lighting so your tip is a good one. I’ve got a lot of melancholy shots.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..From the Inside Looking Out
Twitter: pirancafe
March 22, 2012 at 2:25 PM
Sun is nice, but it’s hardly necessary as this shot shows.
Oftentimes you get richer colors in cloudy or overcast conditions, more interesting shadows, more dramatic skies. Most of today’s point-n-shoots have manual settings to give you more freedom when conditions force it.
Twitter: Ladyexpat
March 22, 2012 at 3:53 PM
Beautiful shot, Dick. Grey or hazy skies can be such a pain, but you have done a wonderful job with placing the focus on the reflection.
Nancie recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday — March 22, 2011 — Favorite Travel Shots of 2011
Thanks for the kind words, Sabrina.
Shooting photos in the outdoors one must take what light and weather Mother Nature hands us, take the shot, and hope for the best.
Good points, Bob.
Thanks, Nancie.
Twitter: travelnwrite
March 22, 2012 at 7:49 PM
Wow! I love this photo. . .these are my favorite types because the composition and the photographer’s eye give the photo the pop. . .not the color or the perfect sunset. Very nice.
Jackie Smith recently posted..TP Thursday: A Blooming Good Trip!
Twitter: AndiTraveler
March 22, 2012 at 8:50 PM
Stunning shot, especially when I clicked on it to enlarge. I really struggle with non-sunny situations when photographing, so I appreciate the tips.
Andi recently posted..An Inadvertent Holiday in Victoria B.C., Canada
Thanks much, Jackie.
Thanks for the kind words, Andi.
Twitter: worldbooktravel
March 22, 2012 at 10:05 PM
Love this photo! You captured the reflection so well and it has that overall fairy tale look. Thanks for the tips as always.
Mary recently posted..Spring at the Los Angeles Arboretum
Thanks for the kind words, Mary.
Chateau de Chenonceaux is really an wonder of architecture built on the Cher river. The photograph and effects which you have used for shooting are beautiful.
Twitter: SophieR
March 23, 2012 at 4:42 AM
I quite like bad-weather shots… something about bleak November days and bare trees.
Sophie recently posted..Newquay for kids
Twitter: RyukyuMike
March 23, 2012 at 5:35 AM
A sunshine fanatic, myself I’ve also come to appreciate a good-old cloudy day of shooting. I like this shot and the composition. Thanks for sharing!
Twitter: hikebiketravel
March 23, 2012 at 8:08 AM
You’ve done a superb job with this photo. When the light conditions are less than ideal Ithink that’s when you have to look for the details or get more creative.
Leigh recently posted..Wonderful Water, Weighty Concerns
Thanks much, Jeremy.
Sometimes foul weather produces fair images!
Thanks much, Mike.
Thanks for the kind words, Leigh.
Twitter: scasesandscups
March 25, 2012 at 9:13 PM
I think you definitely captured the melancholy feel that was offered to you by the weather and you still got a reflection which is beautiful!
Jessica recently posted..Penn Farm Agricultural History Center
Thanks much, Jessica.