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Any ordinary place can become preternatural under a heavy veil of fog. The trick is timing, and photographers well know that mist is a slippery thing. Those who choose to make pictures under foggy conditions make their jobs harder; they have only a brief window of opportunity and must contend with ungodly hours, blurry lenses and obscured visibility. Still, it’s worth it.
Fog can be a formidable adversary to any photographer, but for those select few who learn to tame it, it can be the greatest companion of all. We asked six expert fog photographers to tell us about their most magical shoots, and along the way, they divulged some of their secrets.
Andreas Wonisch
“…the best time to shoot fog is just before and after sunrise.”
I always wanted to shoot a photo of this magnificent scenery at Seceda in the Dolomites. I stayed at a small hut in the mountains to be there in time for the sunrise. When I woke up in the middle of the night, it was pitch black, and there was thick fog. You couldn’t see for more than ten meters, but I knew that I had to try it anyway. It took almost an hour to hike up there through the fog, and I arrived just before sunrise. At this point, I felt that all the effort was in vain because it was still extremely foggy. Just before the sun came out, the fog suddenly lifted and unveiled the majestic mountaintops. It felt like a great breakthrough, and I quickly took as many photos as I could. A few minutes later, everything was again covered in fog. But I went happily back to the hut, knowing that I finally had captured the scenery I wanted.
Pro Tip: Fog usually manifests itself during the night and disappears in the morning hours when the sun comes out, so the best time to shoot fog is just before and after sunrise. The best photos are, in my opinion, when you are getting a combination of fog and magnificent sun rays. The right light can make or break a fog photograph. Even if you do not see the sun, it’s still there, and depending on the density of the fog, you can add a nice glow if you shoot directly towards it.
Reed McCoy
“Use the fog as a means of abstraction.”
This photo in particular holds a special place in my mind. As I shoot primarily on film, my approach to photography is very particular and slow. Since I have a very limited number of shots per roll of film, I have to line up the shot and be very selective to what I capture. This photo was taken at the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland during my honeymoon with my wife. We rambled around the Cliffs for hours, and at the very end, there was a huge field of filled with these furry cows just grazing in one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. A cows’ paradise of sorts. I dream of these kinds of places with such strong, raw beauty: jagged cliffs, sprinkling rain, terribly rough waves, and a field full of happy cows.
Pro Tip: My camera is a medium format, 120mm film camera. It is actually quite heavy and large to work with, but it produces truly incredible photographs. I’d say the afternoon is a great time to shoot in fog. There isn’t a large amount of sun still up, and it can create some deep shadows and soft highlights that you wouldn’t get during a stereotypical “golden hour.”
Use the fog as a means of abstraction. The fog might be cutting off the top of a mountain to where it seems like a low rolling hill, or maybe the fog rolls over someone’s face in a way that looks like someone made a paint stroke across the canvas of the photo. I think about photos in such a painterly way.
Ragnis Parnmets
“The most important thing for me is a microfiber cloth for cleaning the lenses…”
One of my favorite images is this one. I totally love these mornings in the swamp when the sun is rising and fills the fog with golden light. On this morning, all the conditions for the shoot were perfect. The sky was clear; the sun was rising from the right angle, the thickness of the fog was just right.
Pro Tip: When I’m planning to go to photographing the fog, I always check the weather forecasts. It’s important that the humidity be at 95% – 100%. The most important thing for me is a microfiber cloth for cleaning the lenses because the high humidity makes them foggy.
Tony Gale
“Think about layers. Because things in the distance fade out so quickly…”
Shooting at Coney Island on Christmas Eve in the fog was an experience. The way the light combined with the fog was wonderful. I find that fog is much more common in the morning, but fog at night can be magical.
Pro Tip: Think about layers. Because things in the distance fade out so quickly, it can make an image very strong if you have a foreground, mid-ground and background so the layers are clear. Depending on the density of the fog, all of those layers can be quite close to one another. Also, look for light sources, especially different colors of light; they can add a whole new level to photographs in fog. Lastly, fog is about mystery, so if you are fortunate enough to be in a situation where you can see things peeking out of the fog, while most things are hidden, it can be great.
Nickolay Khoroshkov
“Unlike shooting typical landscapes, try shooting foggy landscapes with a wide-open aperture.”
In the Carpathian Mountains, Ukraine, I spent a couple of days waking up in the wee hours of the morning, trying to catch the trees surrounded by fog. I had first spotted them in the autumn of the previous year, but unfortunately, I was not lucky. I decided I would go back there again the next year in the middle of October, which is a perfect time to shoot the bright, rich autumn colours of the Carpathian forests, especially when the trees are covered in fog. This time, luck was on my side.
Pro Tip: First of all, it is important to watch weather forecasts. You want to see some rainy days, which will most likely be followed by foggy mornings. I typically wake up early in the morning before sunrise and go to the previously chosen location. I always bring rain cover for my camera and for myself. You just never know what the weather can surprise you with.
One of my main pieces of advice is a bit unconventional. Unlike shooting typical landscapes, try shooting foggy landscapes with a wide-open aperture. My preferred settings are f2,8 to no more then f5,6. It helps to convey the foggy, misty state of the surroundings. Your images will become more atmospheric and ethereal, full of light. ISO and shutter speed should be adjusted according to the available light and aperture. Of course, using a stable tripod is very important.
Sander van der Werf
“Some of my best shots are of the unexpected things I “accidentally” witnessed…”
My photos of the Noordmolen near Groningen are probably the most memorable ones. I love this location and the different moods and possibilities it offers. The shots I took there on March 25, 2014 are among the best I have taken here. The composition, fog, sun and mood were all as I had hoped and planned for. It was a true joy working that morning! I am in love with shooting in the fog. I realize that now more then ever, because I temporarily live in Lyon, France, where there is very little fog. Especially compared to the Netherlands. I miss it badly.
Pro Tip: Arrive early. Sometimes the mood is best before the sun rises. And it gives you more time to prepare. Photograph with the sun in or near your frame. The soft backlight brings out the warm colors, depth and mysterious atmosphere of the fog. Make sure you have an interesting subject: windmill, person, jetty, ect. It can be in the foreground, or, partially concealed by the fog, in the background.
Look at other possibilities aside from the subject or location you came for. Some of my best shots are of the unexpected things I “accidentally” witnessed when I was just walking or cycling around. Always keep your eyes open and explore the area you are in. Last but not least: prepare for low temperatures and high humidity. Warm clothes, waterproof shoes, gloves, a beanie and of course a thermos with hot, steaming coffee are essential!
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