Mist opportunities

Mike Harris heads out on a crisp morning to capture a misty scene before the moody conditions disperse

- Mike Harris

The Mission

– Photograph a scene that’s blanketed in mist

Time

– One hour

Skill level

– Beginner

Kit needed

– Tripod (optional)

It really doesn’t matter what your favourite genre is or whether you’re camp DSLR, mirrorless or bridge camera, all photographers are fascinated with mist. And it’s no surprise. A foggy haze can transform even the most generic location into a photo opportunity that’s dripping with atmosphere.

The autumn and winter months are prime time for fog and mist photography. Weather resources such as the Met Office website (www.metoffice.gov.uk) are a great way to stay ahead of the curve, and if you’re an early riser we’d recommend keeping a kit bag locked and loaded so you can take advantage of the often fleeting phenomenon at a moment’s notice. But shooting in this attractive type of weather comes with its own set of challenges.

Poor visibility can make foggy photographs lack depth and autofocus systems can struggle to lock focus in conditions with low contrast. Receiving an accurate exposure reading can prove troublesome too. As with snow, largely white surroundings mean cameras have a tendency to underexpose images. All of these difficulties really do depend on the conditions you’re working in and are, thankfully, easy to remedy.