SKILLS - CRASH COURSE

ESSENTIAL PHOTO SKILLS MADE EASY

MIST OPPORTUNITIES

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

1 HOUR

It really doesn’t matter what your favourite genre is: all photographers are fascinated with mist. And it’s no wonder– a foggy haze can transform even the most mundane location into a photo opportunity that’s packed with mystery and atmosphere.

The autumn and winter months are prime times for fog and mist photography. You’ll need to keep an eye on the weather, and resources such as the Met Office website in the UK (www.metoffice.gov.uk) are a great way to stay ahead of the curve. If you’re an early riser we’d recommend keeping a kit bag packed so that you can take advantage of the often fleeting phenomenon at a moment’s notice.

Shooting in these weather conditions presents its own set of challenges. Poor visibility can make foggy photo lack depth, and autofocus systems can struggle to lock focus in low contrast conditions. Obtaining an accurate exposure reading can prove troublesome too – as with snow, largely bright surroundings mean cameras have a tendency to underexpose images. All of these issues depend on the conditions you’re working in, and thankfully, they’re easy to remedy.