Hazy, gray mornings don't stop me from heading to the coastline and walking the beach as the sun "rises". Although the gloomy skies certainly change the mood of the photos I take. And I come away with a lot more black & whites.
Occasionally, I'll get surprised and what starts out as gray, lifeless skies grow more playful. Not necessarily more colorful. However, the textures of the clouds become more distinct and not just a never-ending gray wall of "blah". And yes, there are those rare days when the sun burns away the fog and nature gives you a glorious show.
Not this day.
Want a good seascape? Get wet.
The only color I found that morning.
The pier is great for viewing sunsets. On a gray day, it becomes the subject.
In a sense, the uniform – almost monotone palette – makes you think more about what it is you are shooting. The subject has to hold up on its own. There's no explosion of color or a dramatic sky to grab attention.
You have to find interesting subjects. Create the sense of motion in the frame. Convey a feeling. Or create tension. I think it's a good exercise for a landscape photographer – any photographer, really. Identify your subject.
There are plenty of days I come away with nothing. There are days I put away the camera entirely. Regardless of the photos I do or don't take, I never regret taking the walk.
