Tips for Photographing in Fog and Backlit Mist
Why Fog and Mist Make Magical Images
One of my favorite times to photograph Louisiana’s swamps is when fog or mist blankets the water in the early morning. Whether it’s dense ground fog or soft, backlit mist hovering over the cypress knees, these conditions can transform an already beautiful scene into something moody, mysterious, and unforgettable.
As a nature photographer, I’m always watching the forecast for high humidity and still wind at dawn. That usually means fog. And when I’m lucky enough to get it—especially with some backlight—I know it’s time to make magic.
Benefits of Photographing in Fog
Even, Diffuse Lighting – Fog acts like a giant softbox, eliminating harsh shadows and creating smooth tonal transitions.
Simplified Backgrounds – Distant elements fade into white or gray, letting your subject stand out clearly.
Mood and Atmosphere – Even a familiar subject becomes poetic or otherworldly when veiled in mist.
Visual Focus – Fog reduces distractions and allows for more graphic, minimalist compositions.
Exposure Tips for Fog and Mist
Fog tends to fool your meter. It’s brighter than it looks, and automatic exposure modes often underexpose it. As a manual exposure shooter, I watch my histogram and expose to the right—but just barely.
For fog:
Slight overexposure often works best.
Avoid clipping highlights if the sun starts breaking through.
Bracket when unsure; small exposure shifts can make a big difference.
For backlit mist:
Expect to underexpose slightly if the mist is catching direct sunlight.
Mist can go nearly white—adjust exposure accordingly to keep texture.
Use lens hoods or block stray light to reduce flare.
Foggy Conditions:
Think in black-and-white or monochrome tones. Color often takes a back seat.
Use strong shapes—trees, branches, reflections—to build structure.
Telephoto lenses compress the fog layers for a dreamy effect.
Try framing close subjects sharply with distant fog-blurred backgrounds.
Minimalism in Heavy Fog: A Monochrome Opportunity
Ancient cypress stumps in dense fog, photographed near the boat launch with a 35mm lens.
On some mornings, the fog is so thick we can barely leave the launch. On this particular day, our boat captain carefully poled us through a field of cypress stumps—remnants from logging operations decades ago. The fog was so dense it obscured the far shore entirely, and we stayed close to the dock, working the scene in near silence.
This image was made with a 35mm lens, something rarely usable in open swamp scenes because of background clutter. But the fog rendered everything distant invisible, allowing me to use a wide focal length without distractions. There was color in the foreground stumps—rich browns and silvery grays—but I chose to process this as a black-and-white image to emphasize form, texture, and the eerie stillness of the moment.
These are the kinds of conditions that reward slowing down and seeing differently. You’re not chasing drama—you’re inviting quiet.
Backlit Mist:
Seek angles where the sunlight filters through mist.
Look for shafts of light, rim lighting, or glowing foliage.
Capture motion if the mist is drifting—longer exposures work well here.
A Real Morning on the Water: From Panoramic Glow to Golden Detail
Backlit sunrise mist over the swamp, captured from the boat during a calm fall morning.
On one particularly still morning during a fall tour, we caught the sun rising through a blanket of mist. This panoramic view, taken directly from the boat just after sunrise, shows the mist glowing orange—backlit by the first light of day.
Just minutes later, we navigated toward the bank on the right side of that frame, where the morning sun began filtering through the moss-draped trees. The small, shallow-draft boat let us ease quietly into a narrow channel, giving us front-row seats to scenes like this:
Sunlit mist along the bank, minutes after the panoramic scene, accessed via a shallow channel.
These moments are fleeting. The mist burns off quickly, and you’ve got to be in the right place, at the right time—and able to get to that place. If this kind of access and light speaks to you, sign up for the Fall Cypress Swamp Tour and come experience it firsthand. That’s part of the magic of these swamp tours: they’re built for exactly this kind of light, atmosphere, and access.
Focus and Lens Choice
Manual focus may help if your autofocus struggles in low contrast.
Focus on foreground elements, especially if the background fades into mist.
A telephoto zoom (e.g., 100–400mm) lets you isolate key elements and compress the depth.
Final Thoughts
Photographing in fog and backlit mist takes some planning, a bit of luck, and a willingness to adapt. I’ve returned to the same spots over and over, waiting for the right mix of humidity, wind, and light. When it all comes together, it’s magical.
The next time the forecast calls for fog, grab your gear and head out early. You might come home with your most atmospheric and memorable images yet.
🍂 Ready to chase the mist with me this fall? Reserve your spot on the Fall Cypress Swamp Tour — space is limited and mornings like these don’t wait.
Nikon Z8 Firmware 3.0: Big Upgrades for Nature Photographers
Big news for fellow Nikon Z8 shooters: Firmware Version 3.0 is finally here.
This isn’t just a minor refresh—it’s a massive update that brings new creative tools, improved autofocus, better customization, and even more integration with professional workflows. As a nature and wildlife photographer, I’m especially excited about features like subject detection during manual focus and the new focus limiter setting.
There’s a lot to sort through, and I’ll be testing these new features over the coming weeks in the field—think misty swamp mornings, fast-moving birds, and tricky low-light conditions. For now, here’s a quick preview of what’s new.
Key Highlights of Nikon Z8 Firmware 3.0
Focus & Autofocus Enhancements
Subject Detection in Manual Focus: The camera can now assist with subject tracking even when you’re using manual focus—huge for perched birds and stealth shooting.
Selectable Subject Detection Area (MF): You can define the area of interest when manually focusing.
Extended Wide-Area AF (C1/C2): More customizable shapes for wide-area AF modes.
Focus Limiter Setting: Now available in the Custom Settings menu—particularly helpful with long telephoto lenses in dense vegetation.
Creative and Capture Tools
Auto Capture Improvements: Schedule captures, trigger by distance, and use MF settings. Yellow framing highlights active capture area.
New High-Speed Mode (C15): A 15 fps burst option with independent image quality settings.
Playback and Customization
Filtered Playback by Date: Easier sorting of field sessions.
Custom Retouch Options & Auto-Rotate Playback: Quality-of-life improvements.
Expanded Custom Controls: More flexibility in assigning functions to buttons and the i-menu.
Video and Networking Updates
Hi-Res Zoom Enhancements: With subject-aware focus display.
Support for File Name Transmission via HDMI: Works with Atomos recorders.
Wi-Fi STA Mode: Connect your Z8 to your network or smart device via an access point.
FTP Upload in HEIF Format: For those working in a newsroom or high-efficiency workflows.
What I’ll Be Testing Next
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be putting this firmware through its paces during my upcoming Louisiana Fall Cypress Swamp Tours and Spring Bird Photography Tours—both built for small groups and real-world nature photography. My focus will be on:
How reliable is Subject Detection in MF for shy or camouflaged birds?
Does the Focus Limiter speed up acquisition with long glass?
Is the C15 burst mode valuable in low-light or fast-action moments?
There’s a lot to explore, and this update feels like a significant step forward—especially for those of us working in demanding field environments.
Note: If you've been using my Z8 settings guide, some menu items may have changed with this update. I’ll post an updated version once I’ve confirmed what’s changed and what still applies.
If you're using a Z8—or considering one—now’s a good time to dive in.
Stay tuned. A deep dive is coming soon.
Charles Bush Photography – June 2025 Newsletter
Photographs Taken during the 2025 Bird Photo Tours
🌿 Spring Bird Photography Tours — 2026 Dates Announced!
I’m excited to announce the 2026 dates for our Spring Bird Photography Tours in Louisiana. These tours offer a rare opportunity to photograph courtship, nesting behavior, and fledging activity at some of the region’s most photogenic rookery sites.
📅 Tour Dates:
April 19–22, 2026
May 17–20, 2026
May 31–June 3, 2026
Each session includes three boat trips and multiple shore-based shoots, designed to maximize morning and evening light and bird activity.
Cypress Trees in Backlit Golden Mist
🍂 Fall Cypress Swamp Tours
Our fall cypress swamp photo tours are now open for booking. These small group outings explore the best of Louisiana’s floodplain scenery at peak water levels, with opportunities to photograph cypress and tupelo trees, reflections, and early migratory birds.
📅 Fall 2025 Tour Dates:
November 2–5
November 16–19
December 1–4
Each tour includes three morning boat outings and afternoon sessions on shore.
👉 See Details and Reserve Your Spot
💸 Bonus Offers
📅 Early Sign-Up Bonus:
Reserve your spot on any 2026 Spring or 2025 Fall photo tour by July 31st, and receive a $100 discount on your final balance. A deposit is still required at the time of sign-up — the bonus will be applied when your final invoice is issued.
👥 Referral Bonus:
Refer a friend who’s new to Charles Bush Photography, and you’ll receive an additional $100 credit toward your tour balance. You and your friend must also pay the standard deposit to hold the spot. Once they’ve registered, simply email me with their name to claim your credit.
Yes — these bonuses can be combined, meaning you could receive up to $200 off your tour.
40 × 60 Acrylic Print Installed at Back to Normal Physical Rehabilitation in Houma, LA
🖼️ Prints Now Available on Metal & Acrylic
Select images are now available as limited edition metal and acrylic prints. These are ready to hang and ideal for showcasing nature photography in your home or office. I’ll highlight a few options in upcoming posts — suggestions welcome.
📷 July Photography Class
📅 July 12, 3–5 PM
📍 Lefevre’s Art Supply & Framing
Perfect for beginners or anyone wanting to refresh their skills.