Fog makes things intimate. The close at hand is detailed while the distant becomes ghostly. Fog makes the visual behave like our memories. In memory, what is recent is detailed but fades as it moves into the distant past.
One of the primary rules of composition is to separate subject from background. There are many ways of doing this. Fog does this by making nearby things be the subject while distant things lose detail and contrast, merging into background gray.
These photographs are of Wilmington Delaware, the area of the tallest buildings, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the last day of 2022. I wandered up and down 10th, 11th, and 12th Streets between Rodney Square and Washington Street — an area that includes the library, the DuPont Hotel, the CITI building, and the YWCA.
Fog lends itself beautifully to black and white images. These images were shot with a Nikon D850 camera body and a fixed 50mm lens. I wish I could show you the detail of these images, but no screen is big enough.
Primarily, I was looking for composition, a pleasing arrangement of lines and shapes, deep darks with revealing light. Incidentally people and trees entered the images of this urban landscape.
Click any thumbnail to see it larger in a slide show. To return here, use the ESC key or click on the X in the upper right corner of the slide show. Comments are found below the thumbnails.
Comments
Jeffrey wrote: Beautiful series, Danny! Black and white really works for these photos. I especially like the ones with people and the timing of where you caught them in the frame. The little girl on the curved wall stands out. As does the silhouetted man crossing, dog walker, woman with shopping cart and lone person walking towards the camera. The split in the road is also a great image… You really caught some really weird lines in the street and I always love a good window reflection. The near emptiness and fog give this “Small Wonder” a big city feel. Thanks for sharing. Happy new year!
Kerry wrote: Well I wasn’t going to comment, but the image with the girl was my favorite too! The fog makes all the images seem more magical and the girl and composition on that image adds to the magic and mystery. Beautiful series! Happy New Year!
Gerry wrote: Firstly, congratulations on getting out in the fog. I couldn’t see my deck’s railings for much of two days. 25 images seems to be about right for this outing. Fog, like sunsets or seascapes can get pretty boring quickly. You managed to keep my interest with this series. I really like image “Fog … 2212_2121″. It reminds me of The Three Brothers rock formation in Yosemite. I know, I’m weird! Anyways, thanks for sharing and Happy New Year!
Lynn wrote: Thanks for showing me what I was too lazy to get out and see for myself! I was particularly attracted to your opening image with its unique viewpoint. Although I usually prefer capturing moments, your work very appropriately depicted the quiet and desolation. That said, I liked the body language of the little girl and would have been tempted to do a series featuring her.