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Capturing Atmosphere: A Photographer’s Guide to Fog and Mist

Reading time:
15 min
Content:
Max Rive
Editor:
Madison
Date:
March 28, 25

Read time
15 min
Content:
Max Rive
Editor:
Madison

In landscape photography, great images often depend on the perfect blend of three things: a compelling location, dynamic weather, and what we broadly refer to as “conditions.” That last word—conditions—gets thrown around a lot. It can mean golden light, dramatic clouds, a low sun angle, or, quite often, mist and fog.

If you’ve ever waited patiently on a mountain ridge or wandered into a forest at sunrise, you already know: mist can transform a good scene into a magical one. It softens light, adds mood, hides distractions, and brings depth and mystery to a photo. But it’s a double-edged sword—too much of it, and your subject might disappear completely.

In this guide, we’ll explore what fog and mist really are (and how they differ), the various types of fog you might encounter, and why they’re such powerful tools in a landscape photographer’s toolkit. You’ll learn when and where to find them, how to make the most of them in different environments—from woodlands to mountain ranges—and even when not to shoot them. I’ll also share a few of Max Rive's personal favorite images and what made those moments work.

Whether you're chasing eerie lowland fog at dawn or hoping for soft mountain mist after rainfall, this guide will help you understand the science behind the scene—and how to turn it into something unforgettable with your camera.

1 .From Idea to Photo

2.Pre-Work

3. Background Subject First!

Fog vs Mist

Let’s clear it up first, mist and fog are NOT the same thing but they look pretty much the same! Mist and fog are similar in that they both consist of tiny water droplets suspended in the air, reducing visibility. However, they differ in terms of density and visibility:

• Mist: Visibility is greater than 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) but less than 2 kilometers. Mist is lighter and often dissipates more quickly than fog.

• Fog: Visibility is less than 1 kilometer (0.62 miles). It is denser and lingers longer, significantly obstructing vision.

Some people would say that mist is just a thinner version of fog, and to add to the fun is the word “”smog” which is smoke and fog when there is more pollution present, smog is usually characterized by having a blueish tint to it. Due to the thickness of fog it often appears whiter due to the water droplets being closer together forming density and obscuring the view. Mist on the other hand is more like a thin greyish veil. Through the grayness offering a view of the background

The Many Faces of Fog: A Guide to Different Types

Fog is more than just a misty veil over the landscape—it comes in various forms, each with unique origins and characteristics. Whether it's clinging to mountaintops, rolling in from the sea, or shimmering with ice crystals in the frigid Arctic air, fog is a fascinating meteorological phenomenon. Let’s explore some of its diverse types and how they form.

1. Freezing Fog: A Frosty Embrace

When temperatures dip below 0°C (32°F), fog can take on a dangerous, icy form. Freezing fog occurs when supercooled water droplets in the air freeze on contact with surfaces, coating trees, roads, and buildings with a delicate but hazardous layer of rime ice. In aviation, any fog composed of liquid droplets at subzero temperatures is classified as freezing fog, whether or not it results in visible ice accumulation. When temperatures plunge below -10°C (14°F), fog may even form directly from ice crystals, creating dazzling optical displays similar to diamond dust.

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2. Radiation Fog: The Midnight Cloak

Picture a quiet night when the land loses heat, radiating it into the sky. As the ground cools, so does the air just above it—until it reaches the saturation point, forming radiation fog. This fog is most common in valleys and low-lying areas during calm, clear nights. If it's shallow enough to allow visibility from above, it’s known as ground fog or shallow fog.

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3. Advection Fog: A Moving Mist

Unlike radiation fog, which forms in place, advection fog is all about movement. This type occurs when warm, moisture-laden air drifts over a cooler surface—like ocean air meeting a chilly coastline or warm air flowing over a frozen landscape. The cooling effect causes moisture in the air to condense, shrouding everything in dense, rolling fog. This is the phenomenon behind sea fog, often seen drifting over the ocean.

4. Evaporation Fog: Nature’s Steam Bath

Imagine a cold morning at the edge of a warm lake. The contrast in temperatures causes water to evaporate rapidly into the frigid air, saturating it and creating evaporation fog, also known as steam fog or sea smoke. In polar regions, where extreme cold meets open water, the effect intensifies into what’s called Arctic sea smoke, producing an almost ghostly mist rising from the waves.

5. Hill Fog: Mountains in the Clouds

High ground often disappears into misty shrouds when hill fog forms. This type occurs when clouds simply rest on hills and mountains, creating a foggy landscape. Unlike upslope fog, which results from air being forced upward, hill fog can occur whenever cloud bases are lower than the terrain beneath them. From above, it looks like a sea of clouds; from below, it’s a thick, ghostly mist.

6. Ice Fog: The Arctic Whisper

In the bitter cold of the high latitudes, fog takes on an icy transformation. Ice fog forms when water vapor, often from human activities like vehicle exhaust or industrial emissions, freezes instantly in the frigid air. Unlike snowflakes, the ice particles in ice fog are minuscule—sometimes just 2 to 30 microns in diameter—giving the fog a dense, almost surreal appearance. When temperatures drop below -30°C (-22°F), visibility can be reduced to mere meters, creating an eerie, frost-laden world.

Why Do Fog and Mist Work So Well in Landscape Photography?

First of all, fog and mist add depth because they increase separation—the further away an object is, the brighter and lower in contrast it appears. The layer in front is darker. This effect is similar to what happens when you have frontal light.

In addition to this, a layer of fog behind a mountain enhances its prominence (the elevation from the valley to the peak), making it easier to see where the valley begins.

The Atmospheric Magic of Mist

Mist adds atmosphere: A misty morning with a delicate layer of fog can transform an ordinary scene into something ethereal.

It creates interest and tells a story: Layers of low fog seen from a distance can make a landscape look more spectacular.

Light rays become more visible: If the fog is thin and low enough, the sun remains visible at the top while the fog diffuses the light, creating magical beams of light.

A "sea of clouds" can add depth: When fog forms into cloud-like shapes with gaps between them, it enhances depth in the scene.

Fog can also help the main subject stand out—whether it’s a tree or a mountain—by softening the surrounding area and reducing distractions. This makes it clearer what the image is all about.

Creative Effects with Fog

Long exposure photography: When photographing fog with a long exposure, you can achieve stunning motion effects, such as rolling clouds in the Dolomites.

Forest photography: Fog makes all the difference. Without it, a forest scene often lacks depth because the trees and branches blend into each other. Unlike mountain landscapes, where natural spacing creates depth, forests tend to appear cluttered without mist.

The right density of fog is key: The denser the mist, the less you can see into the distance. Each forest scene requires a different fog density, but in most cases, medium to dense fog works best.

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When Is Fog/Mist Not Desirable?

Fog Semi-Hiding the Peak

Fog can sometimes work against a scene—especially when it obscures a mountain that would otherwise look spectacular. For example, a striking peak at sunrise is illuminated from the side, bringing out depth, contrast, and intricate details. If fog partially hides the mountain, this effect is lost.

However, this applies mainly when the fog is between the camera and the peak. Fog underneath the mountain, on the other hand, can often enhance the scene beautifully.

Another important note: You might think that fog is always undesirable if it makes the mountain less visible, but that’s not necessarily true. If the mountain is already silhouetted, or if the light is coming from directly behind the photographer (creating a flat, low-contrast look), fog can actually add atmosphere.

Fog Hiding a River

If your composition relies on a winding river as a leading line that connects the foreground to the main subject (such as a mountain), fog can be problematic. A thick layer of mist that obscures the river removes an important visual guide, making the composition weaker.

(Note: Yes, this image looks spectacular, but without the fog, it would be even better! The rivers in the valley would help guide the eye through the scene.)

Too Much/Dense Fog

When fog is too dense, instead of enhancing separation between layers, it completely covers them, erasing depth and structure. This often happens in the mountains when you’re at a high vantage point and a thick cloud layer rolls in, obscuring the landscape below. Initially, it may seem exciting, but it can end up making the scene look flat and featureless.

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Tips and tricks to shoot Mist/Fog

Keep Shooting!

When fog arrives, it will change the landscape many times. Within seconds, it can hide certain parts of the image while revealing new layers that weren’t visible before. It can transform a 7/10 landscape into a 9/10—or even a perfect 10—suddenly.

However, in the moment, it can be difficult to determine which version of the scene is the best. If you keep shooting continuously, you’ll have the flexibility to choose later. In one image, the fog might create the perfect layering effect, but in another, it might obscure the main mountain.

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Time Blending

In addition to the above, time blending can be a great solution. Some might think time blending is "cheating," but in this case, we’re talking about blending exposures taken just seconds or minutes apart, all from the same moment and location.

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Look at the Weather Forecast

In summer, after rainfall, the landscape often becomes wet. To predict fog formation, look for valleys where the sun won’t shine directly at the time the rain clears.

For example, in summer, if the forecast predicts rain at 1 PM with clearing at 2 PM, the sun will still be high in the sky. In this case, don’t expect much (or any) fog, as the sun will quickly burn it off.

Now, consider the same valley but with rain at 6 PM and clearing at 7 PM. If the valley is already in shade by 4 PM, the chances of fog forming are much higher. However, if the valley remains sunlit until sunset, fog formation will be more difficult.

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Fog in the Forest

For forests, you don’t need the same conditions as in the mountains. In mountain photography, you typically want fog in the valley floor that isn’t too dense so the mountains above remain visible. However, in the forest, you just need dense fog—what happens at higher elevations doesn’t really matter. It can be clear or completely covered above the trees.

How to Predict Fog in the Forest

Look for cloud layers at the right elevation – Websites like Windy.com show cloud cover percentages and expected elevations. By knowing the elevation of the forest you want to photograph, you can better predict the chances of fog. Remember, it’s always a prediction, never a guarantee.

Watch for prolonged heavy rain – A full day of pouring rain can lead to a foggy forest, as heavy rain clouds settle in. If this is the case, make sure to bring an umbrella and protect your camera gear.

Be Both Patient and Quick

Fog can form out of nowhere. I’ve seen it appear within minutes, suddenly filling a valley that was previously clear. This happened in autumn, in the mountains, just as the sun disappeared—the drop in temperature instantly created fog, but it only lasted a short while.

At the same time, the opposite can happen. The scene may be fog-free for a while… then fog rolls in, completely covering everything, making visibility nearly zero. Make sure you’re ready to react quickly and keep shooting before the moment is gone!

Practical Tips for Shooting in Fog

• Use a lens cloth – A simple but essential tip. In especially dense fog, your lens will get wet—so bring a good, large lens wipe.

• Increase shutter speed – Fog makes scenes darker, especially in dense forest conditions. Compensate by increasing your shutter speed, using a higher aperture, or boosting ISO. If you're shooting in the early morning or evening, use a tripod.

• Exception – When sunlight hits the fog, it can reflect bright light, requiring you to lower your shutter speed instead.

Max Rive's Favourite Mist Photos

Dolomites - Secret Spot

I was exploring the area during some rain fall which came and went, but at first, there was no fog. Towards the evening, fog finally arrived. I kept shooting and even did some time-blending. Then the weather got worse—heavy rain and lightning—so I ran down the mountain. I used a 16mm focal length on my 15-30mm lens. Since I needed to move quickly, I did a handheld focus stack instead of using a tripod (setting up a tripod at the right angle and elevation takes too much time, guys!).

I knew this area was sensitive to fog, so I stayed near this composition with the flowers to be ready in time. When the fog arrived, I was a few minutes away from the flower scene, but I had already taken a shot of the mountain. So when I photographed the flowers, the only missing part was the mountaintop, which I later blended in.

If you want to see this viewpoint, join my Dolomites Summer Tour .

Switzerland - Lauterbrunnen Valley Viewpoint

I was waiting for this moment after heavy daytime rain, taking shelter in Wengen, the village above the famous Lauterbrunnen. When the fog arrived, I found this composition—why not before? Because the fog completely changed the scene! The fog allowed me to include the sheep and barn as key elements. Without fog, I would have needed a different composition with more natural separation. I used an 18mm focal length—wide, but not too wide, to avoid making the background look too small. I shot very quickly—as soon as I saw this scene, I started shooting and continued for around 10 minutes non-stop before the moment passed.

Spain - Otzarreta Forest

Getting fog here was tough—I went up four times before without luck. The fog was either too high, too low, or not strong enough. When I finally got the right conditions, I walked around to find compositions only possible with fog. I used a single tree in the foreground, with similar-shaped trees in the background to create symmetry, story, and depth. This is a wide-angle shot, taken from a low position on purpose to make the tree appear more dominant and powerful.

Final Thoughts

Fog is a shape-shifting phenomenon, changing with temperature, movement, and moisture. From the silent, creeping fingers of radiation fog to the swirling, icy breath of Arctic sea smoke, each type tells a story of the environment it emerges from. The next time you find yourself enveloped in fog, take a moment to wonder—what kind of misty magic is at play?

MAX RIVE

PHOTOGRAPHER & PHOTO TOUR LEADER

MAX RIVE

PHOTOGRAPHER &
PHOTO TOUR LEADER

Max Rive is most driven by seeking new perspectives in the natural world and capturing them in his own distinguished style. Max's powerful portrayals of his interactions with the mountains has earned him international recognition in the outdoor community.

MADISON MCCARDLE

PHOTOGRAPHER & PHOTO TOUR LEADER

MADISON MCCARDLE

PHOTOGRAPHER &
PHOTO TOUR LEADER

Madison McCardle is a passionate landscape photographer driven by curiosity and a desire to capture the true essence of each place she explores. Through her lens, she seeks new perspectives that reveal the beauty and authenticity of the world.