journal

How I predict fog

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I love fog. Fog is very important for my photography, as it creates the atmosphere and the mystery I look for with my images.

As you can imagine, being able to predict (or at least have some degree of confidence) where and when fog happens can make a big difference. That’s why I always keep an eye on some key numbers that are a good indicator of possible mist.

I use an app called Clear Outside. It’s not a good one, it’s old and hasn’t been updated in years, but I love how simple it is. I can see everything I need in one quick glimpse, with no distractions.

What I look for is:

  • Wind: as little wind as possible, ideally no wind at all.
  • Rain can create its own fog, but most of the time it will leave you with images that look like they were taken on a cloudy day. Only that you got wet to make them.
  • Humidity: has it rained lately? is the ground wet? are there lakes nearby? Here where I live, fog won’t happen if humidity is below 90%.
  • Temperature: a cold night followed by a warm day can fill the air with all that humidity present on the ground.
  • Dew point: the closer to the actual temperature, the better. It is when these two values are the same that fog appears to be the thicker, at least in my experience.
  • Topology: valleys are more prone to fog, as they “trap” that humidity.

This is not an exact science, quite the opposite: predicting fog is really hard. But with the right numbers, and some knowledge about the location, you can have a rough idea of what to expect. And maybe have your camera bag ready to go, just in case.

Hiking to Lacs d'Ayous, in the french Pyrenees National Park

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One of the most beautiful hikes I've done in the Pyrenees. The lakes reminded me a lot of the Enchantments in Washington State, another of my favorite hikes.

This is a moderate hike, a 9.5mile / 16kms loop with some 2,500 feet / 800m of elevation gain. Rocky terrain, it was also a bit slippery due to the rain of the day before.

Photography wise, there are plenty of opportunities. The hike starts through a dense forest with some very beautiful trees, and then opens up once the lakes start. You get incredible views of Midi d'Ossau, and there are other peaks as well.

As always in the mountains, it's all about the light. Conditions can change quickly, especially on partly cloudy days. If you find a composition you like, it might pay off to wait a little bit to see if the light improves.

A human touch

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Nature was, is and will always be what inspires my photography. The beautiful landscapes of Oregon were the reason why I picked a camera up and started to take photos a few years ago.

Over time, though, and as I looked for more ways to practice my photography every day, subjects other than nature started to sneak into my images.

On social media for photographers (and how I use it)

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Social media is probably the most powerful tool creators have to show their work today. There's nothing even close to its reach and convenience.

But with great power comes great responsibility, and social media apps come with plenty of dangers we should be aware of.

I personally try to focus as much as I can on the platforms I do control (my website and newsletter), and use social media as a tool to get new eyes to see my work, keep people updated, and to let everyone know where else they can find me. Relying solely on social media is a trap, it's not under your control, and it's not under your own terms.

I also schedule my posting on social media, so I don't have to open the apps to share my work. I don't even need to have the apps, since I do all of this from my computer.

Perseverance makes the photographer

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It took me 4 days to make these images. Four days going to the same spot, hoping to find the right conditions. Until it finally happened. But as I was taking the photos, a car stopped by, someone stepped out with a camera, took a couple of shots, and left. Just like that, they got the same image it had taken me several days to make.

Anyone can get lucky - I have gotten lucky more times than I can count. Luck plays a very important role in photography, especially in outdoor photography where very few things are under our control.

Photographers must seek that luck, though. We have to put ourselves in situations where luck has no option but to find us. Perseverance will give us a better chance to get lucky.

Sponsored by my wife (and by you!)

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Making money with photography isn't easy. It takes a long time and a lot of hard work to even make a few $$$, but it's totally worth it if you love the process. And I do.

Starting today, I want to offer the option to those of you who can afford it to support me even further. I opened a Patreon page where you can choose one of the different tiers. Your contribution will allows me to keep doing this that I love so much.

https://www.patreon.com/adrianvila

Camera gear I carry on my daily walks

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I love walking, and I love photography. So, of course, a big part of my photography is done during my daily walks.

The camera gear I carry with me has changed quite a bit over the years, as I try to find the balance between flexibility, versatility, convenience, image quality, and low light performance. In this video, I talk about my current gear.

You can find a more exhaustive list of the camera gear I use for photography and video here: my camera gear.

Why photography can't be mastered

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To master something is to:

  1. gain control of; overcome

Photography is rarely under your control, unless you are shooting in a studio. Ask any landscape photographer, street photographer or journalist. No, you are always at the mercy of the elements.

  1. acquire complete knowledge or skill in (a subject, technique, or art)

While there's some knowledge and skills involved in photography, knowing how to use a camera or how to print doesn't make you a good photographer.

In fact, technology has made photography much more accesible, exposing what has always been the most important part of this art: seeing.

 
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No, I don't think photography can be mastered.

You can master your camera, or the printing process. But not the art. That is inside you, it's the way you see the world. You can't master yourself.

Take a look at the early work of the "masters" of photography. Yes, their images evolved over time, but their vision was always there. You won't find a point where they "became" a master.

I believe photography is a lifelong journey, there's no finish line. There's no "I've made it" in sight. No 10,000 hours.

No mastering. Just practice.