How to Edit Photos Taken on Cloudy Days

Cloudy days create some of the softest, most beautiful light you’ll ever photograph in, but straight out of camera, those photos can also look flat, gray, and lifeless.

Colors feel muted. Skin tones lose warmth. The image lacks depth.

The good news is that cloudy photos are incredibly easy to fix in Lightroom once you know which adjustments to make.

This guide will show you exactly how to edit cloudy day photos so they look clean, bright, and naturally dimensional without losing their soft, flattering light.

Editing cloudy day photos in Lightroom is simple once you understand how to restore contrast, warmth, and depth while keeping the soft natural light intact. 

If you're editing portraits, you may also find our guide to fixing skin tones in Lightroom helpful, since cloudy light can affect color and warmth.

Why Cloudy Day Photos Look Flat

Cloud cover acts like a giant diffuser in the sky. It softens shadows and reduces contrast.

This creates:

• Low contrast
• Muted colors
• Cool or gray color tones
• Less separation between subject and background

While this can feel disappointing at first, it’s actually one of the best lighting conditions to work with because it gives you a clean, flexible starting point.

You’re not fixing bad light. You’re shaping soft light.

What Cloudy Day Photos Need Most

Editing cloudy photos isn’t about dramatic changes. It’s about restoring depth and warmth while preserving softness.

Focus on improving:

• Exposure
• Contrast
• Warmth
• Color depth
• Subject separation

Avoid over-editing. Cloudy photos are naturally soft and should stay that way.

Best Lightroom Settings for Cloudy Day Photos

Every photo is different, but these Lightroom settings are a great starting point for editing cloudy day images:

• Exposure: +0.30 to +0.70
• Contrast: +10 to +20
• Highlights: -10 to -30
• Shadows: +20 to +40
• Temperature: +200 to +600
• Vibrance: +10 to +25
• Clarity: +5 to +15

These adjustments restore depth and warmth while preserving the natural softness of cloudy light. You can save these adjustments as a preset to use on future cloudy photos and speed up your editing workflow.

Step-by-Step: How to Edit Cloudy Photos in Lightroom

Step 1: Raise Exposure Slightly

Cloudy photos often appear darker than they should.

Increase Exposure just enough to brighten the image while keeping highlights intact.

This immediately makes the photo feel cleaner and more alive.

Step 2: Add Contrast Carefully

Because cloudy light reduces contrast, adding it back creates depth.

Increase Contrast slightly.

Then adjust:

• Highlights: raise or lower slightly
• Shadows: lower or raise slightly
  

This restores natural dimension without making the image harsh.

Step 3: Warm the White Balance

Cloudy light is naturally cool and can make skin tones look dull.

Increase Temperature slightly to add warmth back into the image.

Be careful not to over-warm. The goal is natural warmth.

Skin tones should look healthy and balanced.

Step 4: Increase Vibrance Not Saturation

Cloudy photos often lack color intensity.

Increase Vibrance first.

Vibrance enhances muted colors while protecting skin tones.

Avoid heavy Saturation adjustments, which can make photos look unnatural.

Step 5: Use the Tone Curve to Add Depth

The Tone Curve is one of the most powerful tools for cloudy photos.

Create a gentle S-curve:

• Slightly raise highlights
• Slightly lower shadows

This adds contrast while keeping the soft feel intact.

This step alone can transform a cloudy photo.

Step 6: Add Slight Clarity or Texture

Cloudy light can make photos feel too soft.

Increase Clarity or Texture slightly to bring back definition.

Use this sparingly. The goal is subtle structure, not harsh detail.

The Secret Advantage of Cloudy Day Photos

Cloudy light creates incredibly even skin tones.

There are fewer harsh shadows and fewer blown highlights.

This makes cloudy photos ideal for:

• Portraits
• Family photos
• Lifestyle photography
• Soft, film-inspired edits

Once properly edited, cloudy photos often look more professional than photos taken in harsh sunlight.

The Fastest Way to Edit Cloudy Photos

If you edit cloudy photos often, presets can dramatically speed up your workflow.

Presets designed for natural light help restore contrast, warmth, and color instantly while keeping the softness intact.

You can then make small exposure adjustments to match each individual photo.

This creates consistency across your entire gallery.

If you’d like to explore options designed for natural, professional edits, you can shop our Lightroom presets.

Common Mistakes When Editing Cloudy Photos

• Over-brightening highlights
• Over-saturating colors
• Adding too much contrast
• Over-sharpening

Cloudy photos look best when they stay soft and natural.

FAQ: Editing Cloudy Photos

Are cloudy days good for photography?
Yes. Cloudy light is soft, even, and flattering, especially for portraits.

Why do cloudy photos look gray?
Cloud cover reduces contrast and warmth, which makes photos appear flat until edited.

Do presets work well for cloudy photos?
Yes. Presets designed for natural light can quickly restore depth and warmth.

What is the best preset for cloudy day photos?
Presets designed for natural light and soft contrast work best for cloudy photos because they restore warmth and depth while preserving the soft lighting. Our Natural Light Preset Collection or the True Color Preset Collection would be ideal for cloudy days.

The Takeaway

Cloudy day photos don’t need dramatic fixes. They need thoughtful adjustments that bring back warmth, contrast, and depth while preserving softness. Many professional photographers actually prefer cloudy days because the light is easier to edit and produces softer, more timeless results.

With the right edits, cloudy photos often become some of the most beautiful and timeless images in your gallery.