Anvil Cloud in Black and White

In Florida, we have a saying: our clouds are our mountains. During the summer months, the sky often fills with dramatic cloud formations that create striking opportunities for landscape photography. Towering columns build throughout the day before merging into powerful storm systems—brief but intense, often giving the impression that the world might end for twenty minutes before quickly passing.

While finishing a day of shooting at Cecil Webb in Punta Gorda, Florida, I noticed a compelling cloud formation developing on the horizon. I paused for a few moments as it evolved, eventually taking on what appeared—at least to my eye—to be an anvil shape. Influenced by the work of Ansel Adams and Clyde Butcher, I immediately began to previsualize the final image: a darkened sky with strong contrast, allowing the cloud to command the viewer’s attention. While I often enjoy long exposures, this scene called for preserving the structure and presence of the cloud itself.

After pulling over and unpacking my camera, I encountered an all-too-familiar challenge—the lens fogged up as soon as I removed the cap, since the car’s A/C was blowing on max. While this can be frustrating, especially when time is critical, I stayed focused on the image I had in mind. To achieve the deep tonal separation, I envisioned in black and white, I relied on a circular polarizer—my go-to tool for enhancing contrast in the sky. By rotating the filter, I was able to darken the blues significantly, nearly to black, while revealing intricate detail within the cloud.

Using a tripod to ensure maximum sharpness and detail, I carefully composed the scene and fine-tuned the polarizer for optimal effect. Once everything aligned, I pressed the shutter—capturing a fleeting moment that would never occur in quite the same way again.

Back home, I processed the RAW file using DxO PhotoLab, utilizing the Control Line tool to deepen the sky further. For the black and white conversion, I turned to Nik Silver Efex Pro, applying a red filter reminiscent of traditional film techniques. This helped further darken the sky while enhancing the cloud’s tonal separation. After refining contrast, I used selective burning in the foreground to guide the viewer’s eye toward the cloud, reinforcing it as the primary subject. The pine trees provide a valuable sense of scale, emphasizing the sheer magnitude of the formation.

No matter where you live, it’s worth keeping an eye on the sky—you never know when something extraordinary might unfold. I certainly didn’t expect to capture an anvil cloud in black and white for my portfolio, but moments like these are what make photography so rewarding. Don’t hesitate to explore deeper tonal ranges in your processing; there is often a compelling sense of mystery waiting in the shadows.

Until next time—

Keep your glass clean,

Spencer