Clouds play a pivotal role in landscape photography, they are constantly changing, and that is what makes them so fun to photograph. Ever since I was a kid, watching clouds has been one of my favorite things to do.
In this post, I will share a variety of cloud shapes from around the world. The camera settings, time of day, and month are provided for your reference. I spent some time identifying and understanding how they form in different weather. I hope you found this helpful.
01 / Lenticular
Shape UFO, flying saucers
Altitudes 6,500 – 16,500 ft
Coverage Small to Medium
Have you seen the photos of a UFO-shaped cloud over Mt. Fuji? It’s called a Lenticular cloud, and it often forms at high altitudes near mountains.
This picture was taken 18 years ago in the Arctic Circle. It was summertime, I was on a boat tour to see a glacier with a group of scientists. The weather was dry and I believe that was midday. It was the only time I saw a shape like that.
02 / Cumulus
Shape Fluffy
Altitudes 1,200 – 6,500 ft
Coverage Small
Cumulus clouds are the most common type you see every day. They look like fluffy balls of cotton. You can easily spot them on calm, clear days. All three photos were captured in Hong Kong during summertime. We are in the sub-tropical region, so in the summer, it is humid and rainy.
They move quickly and dissipate just as fast. If you’re lucky, you might catch their shapes; with a bit of imagination, they can resemble animals or even emojis!
03 / Altocumulus
Shape Patchy, fluffy
Altitudes 6,500 – 13,000 ft
Coverage Small rows
Altocumulus clouds spread wide like a blanket. The first photo was taken in LA in November. I was aiming for the sunset by the beach, and the clouds certainly enriched the composition.
The second shot was taken in Hong Kong in December when I hiked up a mountain. Now that I’ve placed these two photos side by side, I’m struck by their surprising similarity, even their camera settings. The sunset, just above the sea horizon, illuminated the clouds, accentuating their depth. For this type of cloud, a wide-angle lens 16-24mm is ideal.
04 / Cirrocumulus
Shape Flakey, fish scales
Altitudes 16,000 – 49,000 ft
Coverage Enormous
When cirrocumulus clouds cover the entire sky, you know they won’t dissipate or float away. This means you can expect a glorious sunset. Find your favorite sunset spot and get your camera ready!
That afternoon, I captured the birds flying in the second shot, and it was then that I noticed the clouds. Afterward, I headed to the harborfront for the sunset shot, which is the first image above. It was July in Hong Kong.
The third picture was taken in San Francisco in September. The main subject was the mosaic staircase, but the clouds obviously stole the show.
05 / Cumulonimbus
Shape Thick, fluffy
Altitudes 2,000 – 52,000 ft
Coverage Large
Cumulonimbus, known as 入道雲 in Japanese, is often referred to as “the king of clouds.” These towering clouds are responsible for producing rain, thunder, and lightning, and they can grow rapidly in height over a short period. They are commonly seen in the summertime.
For this type of cloud, a telephoto lens in the range of 85-150mm is ideal for showcasing their shapes and textures.
06 / Crepuscular rays
Shape Sunbeams radiate behind the cumulus cloud
Altitudes 2,000 – 6,500 ft
Coverage Medium
They are sunbeams radiating behind the cumulus clouds. This occurs in the early morning or late evening when the sun is low in the sky. I was there for sunrise, and momentarily, the sun rose to a height where the clouds blocked it, but the light rays radiated and extended outward. You can see the various color hues on display so beautifully.
07 / Altostratus
Shape Thin, flat layers
Altitudes 6,500 – 20,000 ft
Coverage Large
Altostratus clouds form at mid-level altitudes. Sunlight makes everything look better. These two pictures were captured during sunrise: the first one in Hong Kong and the second in San Francisco, both taken in October.
Here is a comparison of focal lengths: 85mm vs 16mm. Which one do you prefer?
08 / Cirrus
Shape Thin, curl of hair
Altitudes 16,000 – 49,000 ft
Coverage Large
Cirrus clouds form at high altitudes and are known for their delicate, wispy look, resembling feathers or strands of hair. They appear for just a brief moment.
Both photos were taken in the Grand Canyon in October. The first one was taken after sunset, and the second one was captured before sunrise.
Since it was pretty dark during twilight, I had to bump up the ISO. A wide-angle lens 16-24mm is perfect.
Metering
As you can see, I took most of the shots during sunrise and sunset, usually going for wide angles. For these, I rely on multi/evaluative metering.
In contrast, for close-ups taken at midday, I prefer spot metering to capture the details on the edges of the clouds and prevent overexposure.
Filters
A circular polarizer (CPL) is always helpful when photographing the sky. It enhances colors and helps distinguish the clouds from the background, giving your images a more dynamic and detailed appearance.
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