Mastering the Fog: How I Turn Gloom into Art Instead of Constantly Complaining About It

Let me start by saying this: fog is like that one coworker who shows up uninvited to your weekend plans. It can either ruin the vibe or, if you play your cards right, create a masterpiece. I've been seeing waaaay too much of this one coworker lately, so I thought it might be a good time to look back at the positive side 😉
These misty scenes you’re looking at? They’re Exhibit A of what happens when you stop whining about the weather and start playing with your camera settings. Spoiler alert: the results are 🔥.

The Scene: A Few Summers Ago, in a Galaxy Called “Patience”

Picture this: a summer morning with mist so thick you could slice it with a knife—and probably still miss your subject. I dragged myself out of bed (with questionable enthusiasm) and stumbled upon this. The fog blanketed the fields and trees like a moody poet’s dream, and I thought, “Why not?”

Armed with my trusty Fujifilm X-T2 and the XF18-55 f2.8 lens—yes, the classic kit lens that everyone underestimates—I decided to embrace the moment. And boy, am I glad I did.

Same Scene, Different Story: The Power of Color Settings

Here’s the kicker: these photos are all from the same morning, same location. What changed? The color settings. Shooting in RAW, I played around with the tones in post-processing and turned the same foggy road into five entirely different moods.

1. Warm Sunrise Glow: This one’s the morning-person version of the shot. Full of optimism and vitamin D vibes.
2. Pastel Serenity: Soft, peaceful, and ready to be slapped on a motivational poster.
3. Dramatic Cinematic: Think Christopher Nolan just parked his camera rig here.
4. Cool Tones of Isolation: Moody and mysterious—perfect for your next indie album cover.
5. Minimalist Monochrome: Subdued and simple, because sometimes less really is more.

The lesson? Your camera settings are like a DJ at a party—they dictate the mood. Play around with them. What starts as "meh" can turn into "whoa!" faster than you think.

Shooting in Fog: Pro Tips You Didn’t Know You Needed

Here are some nuggets of wisdom I picked up:

• Use a Tripod: Fog can trick your camera into thinking it’s in a rave. Keep it steady.
• Focus Manually: Your autofocus will betray you. Fog and contrast are not friends.
• Shoot in RAW: Post-processing is where the magic happens. JPEGs are fine, but RAW is your ticket to greatness.

Misty Mornings and Entrepreneurial Thinking

Why does this matter? Because photography—and life—is about seeing opportunities where others see obstacles. Most people would’ve looked at this fog and said, “Nah, too much hassle.” I saw it and thought, “How can I make this work for me?” That’s the mindset shift right there.

Photography isn’t just about snapping pretty pictures. It’s about capturing perspective. The same way you can turn a bad day into a learning experience, you can turn a misty field into a gallery-worthy shot.

Final Thoughts: Get Out and Shoot

You don’t need perfect weather, perfect gear, or even perfect knowledge. You just need to start. Experiment, mess up, try again, and repeat. And when the fog rolls in, grab your camera instead of your excuses.

So, if you’ve got a Fujifilm X-T2 or, heck, even a smartphone (check out my posts of the last weeks if you don't believe me!), here’s your cue: go out there, chase the mist, and turn it into art. Or at least something you can slap a dramatic Instagram caption on.

Remember: the fog isn’t ruining your shot—it’s giving you a chance to create one. Just saying…