Photography Tips For the Photo Doldrums - Condensation, Hail, Mist & Fog

Thus far we've considered photography tips onvisible through openings in it, as it swirls about.
waves, waterscapes, waterfalls, reflections,# 4 - Fog: Can make all the difference between
abstracts, splash 'n spray, foam 'n bubbles, andordinary and exceptional images. In foggy scenes
puddles as remedies for the photo doldrums. But,include foreground objects for silhouettes and
water can provide even more photo op's! Hereinteresting contrasts. Just remember that you
are 4 more.generally have to increase your exposure by 1/2
#1 - Condensation: Perhaps more often associatedto 3/4 of a stop to avoid a picture that's too
with man-made things - cold objects amid warm,dark.
moist air - condensation is an often overlookedSelf-Assignments For Above Photography Tips:
source of interesting pictures. So, watch out forChoose the projects that interest you most.
cold water pipes and surfaces in warm places. Or,Follow the photography tips conscientiously.
open your fridge sometime and check out theRe-shoot when you aren't satisfied. Do it til you
food containers with clear plastic lids. Are thereare satisfied. It'll take all your patience and passion.
any condensed water droplets on the undersideYour skills and eye will improve with the practice.
of the lids? Remove the lid without disturbing theShoot especially in early and late light. Use a tripod
droplets, (Tip: leave the lids just sitting on topas much as possible. Edit your results relentlessly.
instead of clicked down tight) and gently place itPin small samples on the wall for a few days to
down on a flat surface suitable for a background.study before making final prints for wall art.
Set up your camera to shoot straight down onPhotography Tip # 1 - Condensation: If you have
the lid for over-all sharpness.a container of yogurt with a clear plastic lid in
Regularly check your local weather forecasts andyour fridge, just sit the lid on top of the container
keep a notebook of the special places you find inand don't click it down tight. When water drops
your neighbourhood that provide good locationsfrom condensation form a pattern of circles on
for shots that include the following:the underside of the lid, gently take the lid and
# 2 - Hail: Hail is possible with most thunderstormsplace it down on a table or counter top, without
as it is usually produced at the leading edge of adisturbing the drops. Shoot straight down on it and
severe storm system and usually falls within 2make a close-up of a part of the pattern.
miles of its parent storm, during the summerPhotography Tip # 2 - Hail: When a thunderstorm
months, in the afternoon and evening hours.is forecasted keep an eye out for hail. Find a safe
Hail-producing clouds are often identifiable by theirplace to shoot from and shoot it as it falls and
green coloration and hailstorms normally last aboutbounces off things, using both fast and slow
3-15 minutes. Hailstones can vary from less thanshutter speeds.
pea-size to larger than 4". Place a hailstone over aPhotography Tip # 3 - Mist: When the weather
slightly smaller hole in black cardboard and shine aforecast predicts ground fog, have a rural scenic
light up through the hole and the hailstone, andspot in mind to go to that has higher and lower
photograph the hailstone's interior structure. Orsections within it and shoot it just as the sun
picture assorted stones along with coins, etc forcomes up.
size comparison on a dark background. OrPhotography Tip # 4 - Fog: When the weather
photograph it after a heavy fall where ever itforecast predicts fog, have a scenic spot in mind
lays, amid the damage it may cause.to go to and shoot a portion of it that has things
# 3 - Mist: In the early morning or late evening,that recede from you into the fog, with some
mist or groundfog can generate "artist's light" asleaves hanging down into the top of the frame as
masses of water vapor in an area condense fromsilhouettes.
coolness near ponds, rivers, etc or down inIn the next article of this set we'll consider
ravines and valleys. It burns off quickly though, sophotography tips about water's cold season photo
you have to anticipate it and get there early.op's for remedying the photo doldrums, when it
Look for things extending above the mist, orcan turn crystalline or even solid!