Cloudy with a chance of pictures

A worker installs steel girders on the new John T. Chambers Technology Center under construction on the University of the Pacific campus in Stockton (Camera: Nikon D300. Lens: Nikkor 70-200mm @ 86mm. Exposure: 1/500th sec. @ f/11. ISO: 200).

“Bows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I’ve looked at clouds that way.”

Clouds float above the Weber Point Event Center in downtown Stockton (Camera: Nikon D300. Lens: Nikkor 17-55mm @ 17mm. Exposure: 1/250th sec. @ f/8. ISO: 200).

“But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone.
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way.”

Clouds float above the Weber Point Event Center in downtown Stockton (Camera: Nikon D300. Lens: Nikkor 70-200mm @ 200mm. Exposure: 1/500th sec. @ f/11. ISO: 200).

“I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now,
From up and down, and still somehow
It’s cloud illusions I recall.
I really don’t know clouds at all.” -Both sides now – Joni Mitchell

Clouds float above the Weber Point Event Center in downtown Stockton (Camera: Nikon D300. Lens: Nikkor 17-55mm @ 17mm. Exposure: 1/1000th sec. @ f/8. ISO: 200).

Clouds can turn a plain, monotone sky into a work of art. Now, I’m not talking about the featureless overcast skies that look like a grey fog high in the sky. An extended period with those can cause cabin fever in anyone.

Clouds float above the Weber Point Event Center in downtown Stockton (Camera: Nikon D300. Lens: Nikkor 17-55mm @ 17mm. Exposure: 1/500th sec. @ f/8. ISO: 200).

But from cotton candy billows to wispy thin strands to large and imposing thunderheads, clouds can give a plain blue sky some definition and beauty.

Clouds float above the Weber Point Event Center in downtown Stockton (Camera: Nikon D300. Lens: Nikkor 70-200mm @ 130mm. Exposure: 1/500th sec. @ f/11. ISO: 200).

Like snowflakes, no two clouds are the same. Sometimes they move so fast, they almost seem alive. It’s no wonder we often try to make sense of the patterns they create, a bunny here, a stallion there and so on.

Clouds catch the colors of a sunset near Jacob Brack and Cotta Road outside of Lodi Camera: Nikon D300. Lens: Nikkor 70-200mm @ 102mm. Exposure: 1/125th sec. @ f/2.8. ISO: 200).

They can march across the heavens like waves on a beach, or be bold and ominous like angry gods. They can catch the painted hues of a sunset and create a celebration of color.

Most people crave a sunny day, but me give me clouds any time.