This month I encourage you to go out in Foggy conditions, which is usually the best early in the morning. Sometimes fog can enhance the rays of light, create an atmosphere, and help isolate subjects from an otherwise chaotic scene.

You may not tend to want to go out and take photographs when it’s foggy, but if you give it a try I think you will come back with images different than you typically take. Go out and experience the quiet and cool of the fog, see what happens to the light as the fog starts to lift as it creates amazing effects, and take advantage of the opportunity to isolate your subject.

Similar to previous challenges, it doesn’t matter what camera you have, even the camera in your phone will work. Depending on the gear you have it will allow you to take different images.

Let’s take a look at some image examples.

Boats and Wildlife; With boats you do not always have the perfect location from the shore view to isolate the subject. The fog also provides a dreamy feel to the final image. Wildlife set in the early morning fog also provides a minimalistic image.

Enhance the Light; As the morning sun breaks through the fog you can see the rays of light which is enhanced due to the sun back lighting the fog. It’s important in the photo below to place the sun partially behind an object to help reduce the extreme bright light of the sun. The Star burst of the light can also be enhanced by choosing a smaller aperture, this allows the light to bounce around the aperture rings in the lens creating or enhancing the star burst effect while the fog helps spread the light into rays.

Isolate your Subject; With the images below, typically without the fog the backgrounds are too chaotic, but with the fog it’s much easier to isolate the subject. The fog provides the means to remove distractions from your composition. Take a series of images in this situation because the amount of fog can change with each photo, you can then choose which image you like the best from the images you have taken.

Let’s see what images you create this month.

Students are encouraged to develop their ability to tell a story or invoke an emotion, as well as how to plan and troubleshoot while creating their images. As such it’s important to not only create the image but to also include a “title”, and write a short paragraph about; how they came up with the idea, any interesting back ground that compelled them to make the image, and describe any techniques on how they overcame any obstacles.

As always with our monthly theme challenges we try to seek out an instructional resource, below are some YouTube video links to help with some important tips, hints, ideas, or just something to think about.
Photographing in Foggy Conditions instructional aids:
■ How I Photograph Foggy Landscape Photography by: Michael Shainblum (13min 30sec)
■ How to Take THE BEST FOG Photos! Photo shoot training, editing suggestions by: Tony & Chelsea Northrup (4min 46sec)

An important part of improving your photography is practice, which is one aspect of the monthly theme challenge, in addition you have an opportunity to learn about different genres, techniques and tips.

This month I encourage you to go out to your local beach and see what kind of images you can create. With the current pandemic restrictions you are still able to go out in your own area, by keeping proper social distancing in mind. Keep last months challenge, observation, in mind for this months challenge. Hopefully you will see a lot of image opportunities.

Similar to previous challenges, it doesn’t matter what camera you have, even the camera in your phone will work. Depending on the gear you have it will allow you to take different images. Better yet if you have a DSLR or dedicated camera compare the images you were are able to create with both your DSLR and your camera phone. In summary try different cameras, focal lengths and perspectives.

Caution: Taking your camera to the beach can be hazardous to your equipment, so its best when it’s damp or NOT windy because you do not want the sand to penetrate your equipment. Do not set your equipment down in the sand. Keep sand off your hands as the sand will transfer quickly to your gear. You can use a plastic bag and some elastic bands to help keep the sand out or an OP/TECH USA Rainsleeve (amazon) that you would normally use for rain, also do not change out any lenses while on the beach. These techniques will minimize sand getting on or into your equipment. When you get home use a clean, never been used before, paint brush to clean your equipment.

Let’s take a look at some image examples:

Waves; Depending on the weather conditions you may be in luck to capture some wave action. Below shows an overcast windy day with a pretty good surf. In the image below the wind was coming offshore so as the wave was ready to crash the wind was creating spray blowing back from the top of the wave.

Portraits; If you have your child or pet with you, this is a great opportunity to capture some memorable moments. Remember with a portrait to get down to the same eye level as your subject. The images are even more memorable when you capture that special moment. Many times there are people with their pets at the beach, you can always ask them if it’s ok to take pictures of their pet, get their email so you can send them some complementary images. Remember your mask and social distancing.

Landscapes; Depending on the light you may be able to capture some great landscape images. Below you’ll see an image that has great sunset color with a slow exposure to make the water look milky, an image of waves crashing with light peeking through the clouds, and an image that is an ICM (intentional camera movement) slow shutter speed pan of the ocean and distant islands. Create an image that suits the conditions.

Details; Take some intimate images of things that you see such as; rocks, inuksuks, seaweed, and the salt water bubbles. These type of images are best suited for days when there is harsh light, embrace the harsh shadows by adjusting your composition accordingly.

Anything that interests you; Below the left image is the grass along the road by the beach with the water blurred out which creates a clean background for the grass. Many times people are flying kites on the beach which also make interesting subjects.

Let’s see what images you create this month.

Students are encouraged to develop their ability to tell a story or invoke an emotion, as well as how to plan and troubleshoot while creating their images. As such it’s important to not only create the image but to also include a “title”, and write a short paragraph about; how they came up with the idea, any interesting back ground that compelled them to make the image, and describe any techniques on how they overcame any obstacles.

As always with our monthly theme challenges we try to seek out an instructional resource, below are some YouTube video links to help with some important tips, hints, ideas, or just something to think about.
Beach Photos instructional aids:
■ Photography at beach | Creative mobile photography ideas by: Pixel Street (3min 34sec)
■ Landscape Photography Tips & Techniques: Seascapes by: Thomas Heaton (10min 8sec)
■ 6 Tips For Killer Seascape Photography by: Joshua Cripps Photography (11min 44sec)

An important part of improving your photography is practice, which is one aspect of the monthly theme challenge, in addition you have an opportunity to learn about different genres, techniques and tips.