?? Fog-pointers Wanted

General fog or fog over water?

On land.

We had a week of fog a while back and I don't think I did anything different except make sure I got out there and shot as much as I could. Post processing brings out the fog or you can add to it with textures.



Some advice:

Fog flattens the image so add elements of depth. Try to find a foreground, middle ground and background.

Fog evens out the light so its like shooting in a giant softbox. You might need to boost the contrast in post. Its great for shooting still lifes and people shots with soft even light.

Fog usually rolls in in the morning, so watch the weather predictions and plan to get out early in the morning. Also fog settles in low lying areas so plan to hit the valleys.

Water looks amazing with fog hanging around. Shoot ponds, lakes, rivers.

In Maine we had "sea smoke" which was bascially frozen fog. Shoot water on cold, foggy days for amazing shots. Bring a tripod for low light conditions caused by the heavy clouds.

Tips: first and foremost, don't fight fog. Instead, use it's unique attributes. Some people hate fog because it obscures. That's the point - and one of it's best attributes.

Use fog to diminish a distant background and bring attention to the foreground subject at a scene which might otherwise have a distant background that is too busy:



Another attribute is the aerial perspective created by fog helps create or enhance depth:



And of course, fog can create or enhance mood:



As far as exposure settings are concerned, there are none other than to shoot a well-exposed image. Depth of field setting would be dependent upon the subject and scene. ISO as low as possible because fog in an image, like dark clouds, tends to show noise easier.

Hope that helps.

I love those images Dan and Edward! Dan your Blue Ridge and Rocks would be what I'm looking for.

I've had the fog look grey and when I up the exposure I ended up not being able to have the buildings or whatnot barely show. That was with an older camera tho so maybe I'll have better luck this time. Thanks guys!

Just a heads up that we do not want images in here UNLESS with full advice like Dan's was

Thanks so much for the added explanation Edward!

Great tips! Thanks for sharing Dan, especially about the low ISO :) Gorgeous photos too!

I'd like to add that if your lens has a UV filter, take it off.

Ooh glad you mentioned that Christopher-I would not have thought to do that. Thank you!!

And adding to Christopher's good point, check your front lens element periodically. Fog collects on glass like any other surface.

Another good mention Dan-Thank you!

[ ] low iso
[ ] remove uv filters
[ ] check lens for fogging

We usually shoot 3 exposures (or more!) of a foggy scene. If using AUTO for exposure time, your camera tends to close the lens too soon and underexpose the scene. This one was the longest and lightest exposure of the 3 taken:


Also be on the alert for later in the morning on a foggy day, for the fog to break through and shine sun rays through the fog to create the most stunning images you can ever capture. We call these God's Lights when the sunlight breaks through fog in the trees:

Consider getting up very early and start before the sun rises. Scouting ahead of time helps a great deal. Here is one taken just before the sur rose.


Also consider shooting into the sun for a diffused effect.


Using a tripod is a must, in my opinion. But I will admit that the 2 photos above were shot handheld. I was already late for work.

Dave and Debra, I have never forgotten your 'Hanging Garden'. It seemed so surreal to me and I just love it still =) Thank you for your tips, especially watching for the fog to lift and catching those rays!

Robert, yes, it has been said to rise early and mention of using a tripod. I can't shoot any other way, so my tripod is like my third arm, lol.

Thank you all. I will leave this open a while in case anyone has any other pointers, but will close it after today.

Thanks Fran! There is actually a story behind that Hanging Garden image. We were on our way to a waterfall shoot early that fall morning with a promise of fog predicted. Driving through the Ocoee River gorge, I noticed the fog on the lake and asked Dave to stop the truck. He said, If we keep stopping, we'll never get to our waterfall! I said, Look at the lake! Please stop! He grudgingly obliged and that image is the product of a very quick set the tripod down at the edge of the lake and shoot a few images session. It is one of our best selling images at our art fairs and galleries. He loves hearing that story repeatedly to our art clients...NOT! He-he...
Celebrating life, Debra

Posted some tips in December on my Photo Blog

Good light and happy photo making! Juergen