Stars and Clouds:
How to Work with Partly Cloudy Skies in Astrophotography
I had been invited to a bonfire party in rural Illinois. The food was good, the company was great, and the fire was warm on a chilly October night. But the star of the evening was…well...the stars. Having lived near a major metropolitan area for the last twenty five years, I had forgotten how the night sky was supposed to look. Away from the light pollution, I could once again see the Pleiades, Cassiopeia, really all the constellations, and the arm of the Milky Way stretching across the sky. I had brought my camera, anticipating just such a view.
As folks settled in around the fire, I broke away from the group to grab my gear and take some shots of the sky. I set up near a fence, a little distance from the fire, and began dialing in the settings on my camera. I looked through the viewfinder to finalize my composition and noticed a few clouds had entered the frame.
When it comes to astrophotography, most photographers pray for a perfectly clear night sky, free from any cloud coverage. It’s kind of hard to photograph the stars when they are hidden from view. However, clouds don't always have to be the enemy. In fact, they can add a dynamic, moody touch that transforms an ordinary starry sky into something uniquely captivating. So, how can you make the most of a partially cloudy night for your next astrophotography shoot? Here are a few techniques and insights to turn cloud cover into a creative asset.
Embrace the Drama of Clouds
Clouds naturally bring an element of the unexpected. Their shifting forms can add a sense of depth and drama, creating an interplay of dark and light areas that make the stars stand out even more. Instead of packing up your camera when you see clouds rolling in, look at them as a compositional tool. With a bit of planning and experimentation, you can create a shot that blends the timelessness of the stars with the fleeting nature of cloud cover.
The clouds can act like a natural filter, softening the bright points of light in the sky and lending a painterly effect to your images. You may find that the clouds’ unique textures can add layers of interest to your photo, creating a feeling of movement and depth. Clouds that are thin and wispy can create a dreamy veil over the stars, adding a mystical quality to your image. Thick clouds, on the other hand, can create bold shapes, resulting in a more dramatic look. Embrace the clouds, and you may find that they bring unexpected artistry to your photos.
Look for Foreground Anchors
In any nightscape, a strong foreground element can make all the difference. A well-placed tree, a rustic fence, or even a silhouette of rolling hills can ground the image, giving it a sense of place and creating a point of entry for the viewer. A fence post, for instance, adds a sense of grounding to the scene, drawing the viewer’s eye into the sky rather than letting it drift aimlessly without an anchor. Foreground elements create an essential connection between the land and the sky, making your composition feel intentional.
Foreground anchors also provide context and help set the scene. A lone tree reaching toward the heavens or an abandoned barn under a partly cloudy sky can add a storytelling element to your image, helping viewers imagine themselves in that quiet rural landscape, far from city lights and noise. When you include a foreground object, you’re not just capturing a sky full of stars – you’re setting a scene that helps tell a story.
Experiment with Light Pollution
In rural areas, clouds can reflect a faint glow from distant towns or city lights, adding an unexpected layer to your nightscape. This light pollution can actually work to your advantage, casting a subtle illumination on the clouds that adds dimension and depth. It may even create a gradient effect, with clouds appearing lighter near the horizon and darker as they drift closer to the stars.
Most photographers view light pollution as an unwelcome guest in night photography, but it doesn’t always have to ruin your shot. If managed well, the soft glow from a nearby town can add a touch of warmth to your image, highlighting the edges of clouds or making them look like they’re backlit. This gentle illumination can complement the cool tones of the starlit sky, adding color and contrast to the overall composition.
Timing is Everything
Clouds can move quickly, and they can dramatically alter the look of the sky in just minutes. Patience and timing are essential for capturing that perfect moment. Keep an eye on the speed and direction of the clouds and be ready to shoot when they part just enough to reveal a glimpse of stars. This patience can pay off when the clouds form a frame around the stars, creating a natural vignette that enhances the focus on a particular patch of sky.
To make the most of the clouds, anticipate their movements and time your shots accordingly. Practice taking a series of shots as the clouds move – you might be surprised by the variations you get over a few minutes.
Post-Processing
Once you’ve got your images, post-processing can work wonders in bringing them to life. Using software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop, you can emphasize the contrast between clouds and stars, and adjustments to brightness, clarity, and colors can make the sky appear even more dynamic. Experiment with different adjustments to find the right balance that preserves the natural look of the sky while enhancing its drama.
Noise reduction is also important in astrophotography, as higher ISO settings and longer exposures can introduce graininess to your photos. With the right tools, you can smooth out the noise while preserving detail in the stars and clouds.
Final Thoughts
Astrophotography is often about capturing the perfect night sky, but nature is fickle and imperfect. Next time those clouds crash your night photography plans, don’t pack up… settle in. Working with clouds might require adjusting your usual approach, but it can also open up new and creative possibilities. When you lean into the chaos of a cloudy sky, you’re creating something unique. You might just end up with an image full of mood, movement, and, yes, clouds upstaging the stars.