Is there a way to turn an overcast day into a sunny one?

haring · Sep 5, 2014

How do you turn an overcast day into a sunny day?
I have tried to adjust white balance and pulled up the yellows but I am just not totally happy with the results. The photos are warmer but it lacks the happy sunny glow. Is there a way to adjust/edit the the image so it looks like the photo was taken in a sunny day?

Thanks!

John_M_King · Feb 1, 2015

I have had moderate success with increasing yellow saturation (but not so much that people look as if the are suffering from jaundice!) and then tweaking the contrast/levels. It doesn't always work but it does 4 times out of 5.

OzJohn · Feb 1, 2015

Depends what you're trying to photograph but, for instance, you can't turn a landscape taken on a cloudy day into one taken in full sun no matter what you do with white balance and/or curves. On the other hand if you are taking wedding photos or other pictures of people one of the best ways is to do it in camera by using fill flash. The idea that all outdoor photographs can be taken by available light and corrected in post is not true and is an example of a film photography technique that is still close to best practice with digital. OzJohn

jeffreyg · Feb 2, 2015

Check out OnOne software's Perfect Photo Suite. They have adjustable effects to make the improvements you are looking for. Stand alone and compatible with PhotoShop.

HOME

bsdunek · Feb 3, 2015

A big fan to blow away the clouds?

Doyle Thomas · Feb 6, 2015

there is nik's sunlight filter or u could try an atomic bomb during exposure

toyotadesigner · Feb 7, 2015

I just wait for another day.

Hey, you are living in sunshine state Florida with a tremendously higher chance of sunny days! I'm currently living in north Germany with clouds, rain and snow since November... Just yesterday we had a sunny but very cold day with -3° C (26° F) and cold wind, so I could finish the projects I planned in October ;-))

Fun aside, I don't know how to turn an overcast day into a sunny one in post production except by increasing the contrast and the saturation a tiny bit.

Eric Rose · Feb 9, 2015

Tequila always works for me.

ced · Feb 10, 2015

Post an example or a link to the raw file & let the volunteers have a bash...

Chan Tran · Feb 10, 2015

Cloudy days are lacking the shadows. Sunny days have too much dark shadows. Take your pick but they can't be the same.

RalphLambrecht · Feb 12, 2015

Could it be as simple as up exposure,contrast and saturation in 'camera raw',while also increasing 'clarity'?

RalphLambrecht · Mar 6, 2015

the closest thing I know how to do this is a plug-in called'perfectly clear';free trial and works well.

haring · Apr 13, 2015

LOL! Cold....?

haring · Apr 13, 2015

Thanks so much! Let me look at it!

haring · Apr 13, 2015

I think you are right. Wait for a perfect day. Florida does provide awesome light for photographers for sure. The only problem is that clients take it for granted and if there is no light clients sometimes blame the photographer.... Professional photographers know what I am talking about....

RalphLambrecht · Apr 14, 2015

google for the 'perfectly clear'
photoshop plug-in they offer a free trial and really works wonders I find it sddictive.

OzJohn · Apr 14, 2015

"Perfectly Clear" is a comparitively expensive plug-in but it is also included with Corel Paintbox Pro Ultimate, the purchase price of which is a fair bit less than the stand-alone product. Presumably it would only function as a Corel plug-in rather than the Abode variety but might be worth checking out if anyone is tempted to buy "Perfectly Clear". OzJohn

PS I don't own either Paint Box or Perfectly Clear but I do use Corel Draw and a quick internet search seems to suggest that Paint Box plug-ins might be compatible with Photoshop.

RalphLambrecht · Apr 16, 2015

Try 'Perfectly Clear' from Athrntech. i comes as a free trial but is highly adictive.I use it on all shots now.Ut's like a camera upgrade!

Is there a way to turn an overcast day into a sunny one?

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency