When the World Goes Quiet: The Poetry of Fog Photography

Discover how to turn 'bad' weather into your most compelling black and white images yet. Moody Maastricht: part 1 - Fujifilm GFX 100SII - GF32-64mm F4

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Enjoy 😌

Since you are here:

While some see fog as nature's obstacle, photographers know it's actually nature's gift.

My beautiful friends 👋🏼

I was uncertain whether to share this post here or as a mindful photowalk post in Ascenzive Life, as the mention of fog, mist, and haze screams moooody to me.

I have always been very fascinated by the sceneries this brings in an image.
In my worldview, it’s an opportunity to be even more in the moment, intentional with your approach on photography. At least it for me.
I have been fortunate to help people to free their mind with coaching sessions that includes long walks, journaling and mindfulness, and even though almost every one of my photowalks is a meditation, I decided it should be published here as a photo project. This experience was my own coaching session.

(Unfortunately because I really love it) - Where I’m living, in Maastricht (Deep South of the Netherlands), it’s not so common to have such mist… until the other day(s)… I have taken the opportunity to have several walks for 3-4 days in a row to capture these moments and to reflect on my year in this new life.

Film noir delice: A man is watching his phone, casually dressed and surrounded by a misty mood - Shot by Dan D’Ascenzo - Fujifilm GFX 100SII - GF32-64mm f4

I have been shooting in monochrome for some years now. While I still shoot in color too, I find that this kind of steamy mood has a particular vibe in black and white that color can’t match, because I particularly like the gradient of gray, which is exacerbated by the fog.

I love how fog softens all edges and creates layers of depth.
Distant objects fade into misty gray veils, while closer elements emerge like ghostly silhouettes.
Tree branches form delicate, dark tracery against the pearl-white sky.
Light behaves differently - streetlamps create glowing halos, and sunlight, if present, diffuses into a gentle, directionless illumination.

Although some may find this limiting or gloomy, fog can create:

• A sense of peaceful isolation, like being wrapped in a quiet blanket

• Mystery and romance, as the familiar world transforms into something more ethereal

• Intimate spaces, as the visible world shrinks to just what's nearby

• A meditative atmosphere that encourages introspection

• Subtle beauty in the way it reveals shapes and textures gradually
  

This moody newsletter is divided into 2 (maybe 3) parts.
In the next parts, I will talk more about composition and techniques.

Here are some more shots. Hope you like them.
(You can discover the whole album her)

Let me know in the comment, which one is you favorite?