Fog is considered as bad weather by most of the people and even photographers consider it as gray and dull and non conducive for shooting. But for me it is all a different story. I love to shoot in the fog and when ever I see fog in the morning through my room window I just jump out of my warm bed and go out for shooting even in sever cold. Shooting in fog and mist is a bit tricky but results are mystic, moody and creative pictures. Here are some important points to keep in mind while shooting in fog:

1) Exposure-  Always shoot one stop over.

Fog looks dull but more reflective and most of the time fool your camera sensor to underexpose. If you shoot at normal program mode then you will end up with dull under exposed pictures. Set manual exposure on your camera and always shoot one stop over for more  dramatic pictures.Bracketing by 1/2 and 1 stop can also work and is more safe. Do not use flash light and shoot in natural light. Flash light just act like a head light in dark and will ruin the overall dreamy effect.

2) Composition –   Keep an Interesting Subject in The foreground

An interesting and strong subject in the foreground will lead the viewer in fading distance and will create a feeling of mystery and illusion. Picture of just fog without any interesting subjects in the foreground are considered worthless.

3) Using Street Lights and vantage point

In urban areas sometime street light can create dramatic effect but that depends upon the thickness and temperature of the fog. A subject emerging out from the fog with lights on back can be a stunning image.Your vantage point is more important, at what angle you are shooting. Head on shots and with angular light with streaks of light gave fine images.  Another important point is that fog is like flowing water and continuously remain in motion. It flows in bumps and lumps so you have to be very clever and selective in shooting.

4) Choice Of Lenses while shooting in fog

My personal choice is medium tele which can produce dramatic effect by moderate compressing effect. But wide angle can also be very useful and creative as you can make your foreground subject more prominent and strong. A long tele may work excellently for a patch of fog on a hill top illuminated by back light with. So choice of lens is very much personal and it depends on your creative ability and choice of situation you exploit. Filters mostly not recommended for fog and may ruin the original effect.

5-Watch out in fog

Shooting in fog is like shooting in rain. So you have to be very careful about your camera. Always keep lens cloth with you and wipe out the mist from your lens front. Take precautionary measure to save your gear to become damp and short circuiting. keep in a small electric air blower to blow out fog around the camera.Do not change lens in fog otherwise it may cause irreparable damage to your gear.

Please enjoy some examples of fog and mist from my album.

The post HOW TO TAKE PICTURES IN FOG appeared first on Razaq Vance Art Photography .

Thal desert of Pakistan is the third largest in the country. It has immense beauty of nature. We can call it landscape photographer’s paradise. Ripples of sand and shadows of dunes are so artistic that a heart accustomed to appreciate beauty immediately fall in love with the scene. The Boy seems to the Santiago of “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho, in search of his treasure.

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Magic Of Light In Spring

Landscape In Harvest Season

In spring, days become bright and nights more clear. Mornings start with magic of sun rays bathing all the fields of wheat. This is the beauty of harvest season.

The post Spring Light In April And Landscape Beauty In Harvest Season appeared first on Razaq Vance Art Photography .

Shepherds Of Swat Valley Pakistan

Life Of Shepherds

This documentary picture showing the hard life of a shepherd from swat valley. Main profession and activity of mountainous people in Pakistan is to be a shepherd. Life of shepherds looks fascinating and easy. But in reality they have to face lot of difficulties like sudden change in weather and extreme cold. They remain in mountains for months without medical cover. Photographing a shepherds life is surely a great fun as these people are very hospitable and friendly. This picture is from upper swat valley near Mahudhand lake which is having outstanding landscape beauty.

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Autumn Season Beauty

BUY IMAGE

Autumn season in Hunza valley Pakistan paint the whole region in red and yellow color. Even the floor of the gardens and forest carpeted with fallen colorful leaves.

The post YELLOW WORLD OF AUTUMN COLORS IN HUNZA appeared first on Razaq Vance Art Photography .