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Fog photography: tips, techniques and ideas for atmospheric photos
Fog transforms the world into a mystical place. No surprise it’s favourite weather for those photographers who love moody, dreamlike landscapes. But photographing in the fog comes with its challenges—such as low contrast, tricky autofocus and the need for special techniques. In this blog, we’ll dive into practical tips, settings and creative ideas to help you take better photos in the fog.
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Basic tips for fog photography
Camera settings
Composition tips
Using light in fog photography
Ideas for photographing in the fog
How to photograph in the fog correctly: basic rules to know
If you want to get stunning fog landscapes, it will be impossible without these basic rules. So, make sure to follow!
- Plan your photography
To take pictures in the fog, you need to find a location and perfect timing.
Popular fog photography locations include forests, lakes, coastal areas and mountains—places where moisture is prevalent. In autumn, you may find fog even in the usual park if there is enough humidity. If you aim to go to a new location, you can check it in Google Maps in advance, as well as some pictures taken by other photographers from there to find the spot faster.
How to predict when it’s foggy if you are not a meteorologist? Fog is usually more frequent during early mornings or late nights when there is little to no wind and the humidity is high. If these conditions are met, the fog will most likely be there. And, of course, don’t forget to check the weather forecast before the shooting day.
- Choose the right lens
The lens you choose dramatically affects your final image.
- Wide-angle lenses are perfect for expansive landscapes, showing the vastness of the foggy scene. For instance, imagine a wide-angle shot of a fog-covered lake at dawn—everything from the mist rolling off the water to the distant trees is captured in one dramatic frame.
- Telephoto lenses, on the other hand, allow you to zoom in and isolate specific details within the fog. Picture a lone figure walking down a foggy path, blurred just enough to feel mysterious—telephoto lenses help create this type of moody, intimate composition.
- Use manual focus
In foggy conditions, autofocus can struggle because there’s not enough contrast for the camera to lock onto a subject. To take sharp photos in the fog, you will need to switch to manual focus and lock it for further work.
- Shoot in RAW
When photographing in the fog, using RAW format is crucial. Fog naturally lowers contrast and shooting in RAW gives you more flexibility to recover details during post-processing. You can adjust exposure, bring out textures, correct the white balance and emphasise the mood of the scene with ease.
- Use a tripod
Low-light conditions are common in fog, which often means slower shutter speeds. You will need even slower shutter speeds if you aim to photograph silky fog using a long exposure technique. To avoid blur caused by even the slightest camera shake, make sure to use a steady tripod.
No tripod yet? Check our Kingjoy lightweight tripods.
- Bring a lens cloth
Fog can create condensation on your lens. Keep a lens cloth handy to wipe off any moisture from time to time to ensure your shots stay sharp.
Camera settings for fog photography
To take photos in the fog, switch your camera to manual mode. It gives you control over key settings like ISO, aperture and shutter speed that are essential for fog landscape photography.
ISO
Keep your ISO as low as possible (100–200) to avoid introducing noise into your image. Low-light conditions in fog may make you think raising the ISO is a good idea, but a lower setting ensures a cleaner, sharper image.
Aperture
Use an aperture between f/5.6 and f/11 for optimal sharpness and depth of field. For example, if you're focusing on a distant tree enveloped in fog, an aperture of around f/8 would be ideal to maintain focus across the scene without blurring important details.
Shutter speed
If you want to capture soft, moving fog, experiment with slower shutter speeds, such as 1/4 second to 1/30 second. Slower speeds add a sense of flow and mystery to the image. For a more realistic look and sharp capture of the fog, go for a faster shutter speed like 1/60-1/100 second.
White balance
Fog tends to give off a cooler tone. Adjust your white balance based on the mood you're going for. A slight shift toward the cooler side of the white balance scale will enhance the moody, ethereal feel of the fog.
Exposure compensation
Fog can trick your camera into overexposing the image. To avoid blown-out whites you can adjust settings for negative exposure compensation (start with -0.5 to -1).
How to photograph in the fog: composition tips
Photographing the fog, you can get either creative pictures or a boring white mess. Using correct composition, you will ensure that your photos do not look flat and dull. Here are some techniques to try:
Multiple layers for depth
Fog naturally creates layers within a scene, adding depth to your images. For example, when photographing a foggy forest, use the layers of trees receding into the mist to create a sense of distance and atmosphere. Include some objects in the foreground to create depth.
Leading lines and foreground elements
Try incorporating the Ieading lines like roads, fences, bridges or rivers to guide the viewer’s eye through the frame. For example, a foggy pathway with a vanishing point guides the viewer into the mystery of the scene.
Silhouettes and negative space
Fog simplifies your surroundings, making it easy to isolate subjects. Imagine a lone tree against a foggy backdrop—the contrast between the dark subject and the soft fog creates a striking composition. Use negative space for a minimalist look.
Read more of landscape photography tips.
How to use light for photographing creative shots in the fog
As we already figured out, for catching the eye fog photos you need to compensate for the lack of contrast. Light is one of your tools.
- Natural backlighting
Position your camera to shoot toward the light source, such as the rising or setting sun. This will illuminate the fog and highlight its ethereal quality. This technique works especially well in forested areas where beams of sunlight break through the trees.
- Artificial light
When photographing fog at night, streetlights, car lights or even your flashlight become powerful tools for creating atmosphere. The way artificial light interacts with fog creates moody, dramatic effects, making night fog photography particularly mysterious.
More fog photography ideas
Silky fog photography
Another way to photograph the fog is to make it appear smooth and soft, almost like a misty veil by using long exposure. This technique is ideal for adding an ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere to your images.
To achieve this look, you’ll need a long exposure, typically between 1 to 5 seconds, depending on the fog's movement and density. The key to achieving this effect lies in using neutral density (ND) filters. You will need an ND filter around 3-6 stops and a tripod.
Need help finding the right ND filter? Ask our experts!
Black and white fog photography
Black-and-white fog photography is a pure art. By removing colour, you emphasise the textures, contrasts and mood of the fog, creating a timeless and dramatic image.
Portrait photography in fog
Fog can serve as a soft, diffused background for portraits, adding an air of mystery and isolation to your subject. Shooting wide open (e.g., f/2.8) creates a shallow depth of field, keeping your subject sharp while allowing the fog to blur the background beautifully.
Try different techniques and find your style in fog photography!
Photographing in the fog offers a unique opportunity to create dreamy, atmospheric images. With the right preparation and creative techniques, you can transform an ordinary foggy day into something magical. Don’t miss out on experimenting and practising fog photography this year!
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