How to Photograph Fog

(c) Laura Delegal (1981)

I love the way fog envelopes a scene and changes it from ordinary to extraordinary. It makes everything it touches more dramatic.

Photography Basics:

• Set your exposure based upon the fog and not the subject.
• Water droplets in the fog act like mini mirrors and can fool the camera’s meter and come out underexposed. In order to correct this, you can use the camera’s built-in exposure compensation with a value of +1 or +2.
• Fast shutter speeds (1 second) can give you a more realistic image and slower shutter speeds (15-30 seconds), with the use of a tripod, can blur the fog and give the image a more mysterious effect.
• A smaller aperture (larger f-stop) will give a deeper depth of field but will probably require the use of a tripod, so be prepared.

Remember:

• Fog, more often than not, disappears quickly, so you need to be ready when the opportunity presents itself.
• Thick fog will not allow much contrast and colors are often washed out, but post processing can add contrast and black and white conversion is a good alternative to washed-out color.
• With the proper light source, fog can create a beautiful silhouette.

Reference:
Cambridge in Colour: How to Take Photos in Fog, Mist or Haze
Photopoly: Fog Photography Tips
Picture Correct: Photograph Tips for Mist, Fog, Condensation and Hail
Digital Photo Secrets: How to Take Photos of Mist on a Lake After Sunrise
Digital Photography Basics: Photography in Fog - Part 1
Digital Photography Basics: Photography in Fog - Part 2
DP Review: The Fog in Landscape Photography