Finally got a decent shot of the old mill in the fog after six tries

I used to just show up at an abandoned spot, snap a few pics with my phone, and call it a day. Last year, after my shots of the old paper mill in Dalton were just flat and boring, I decided to actually learn about light. I started checking weather apps and going at dawn, and I bought a basic tripod for like forty bucks. This morning, on my sixth visit, the fog rolled in just right and I finally got the moody, spooky shot I'd been imagining. Anyone else have a spot they had to keep going back to before the conditions lined up?

3 comments

3 Comments

sagey692mo ago

Six tries, man? That's some serious dedication lol. I would have given up after the second fogless morning for sure.

dylan_patel2mo ago

Ever think about using a hyperlocal weather app like Windy? I found it shows the exact fog layer height so you can see if it'll actually be down at ground level where your spot is.

the_anna1mo ago

Yeah, totally agree with @dylan_patel on that one. Windy is a game changer for stuff like this, especially if you're trying to nail that exact fog layer. I started using it after my third failed attempt at a covered bridge, and it let me see exactly when the fog would sit low enough. That app plus just being stubborn about going back really pays off. Like, you can't just show up and hope for magic, you gotta actually plan around the weather and be willing to waste a few mornings. That old mill shot sounds killer though, nothing beats that feeling when it finally all clicks into place.