mist | alan frost photography

Trees in the mist – an opportunity taken

It’s not very often that I am out and about with my camera when it’s misty. This may be because we don’t seem to experience these conditions very often. Alternatively it could just be that I am too lazy to get up early enough to take some shots, and before the rising sun has had a chance to mess things up!

A few days ago we had a lot of rain and after a cold, dry and still night I was hoping that we might get some mist the following morning. We did, and for once I was mentally prepared. My wife and I, together with our dog, went out for a walk and I had my camera. One camera, my Monochrom; just my 50mm Summilux prime lens to keep it simple, and these are the images I was able to make. I hope you like them.

To view a larger version, just click on an image and it will open in a new window.

Mist and missing Capel Curig – Happy New Year!

This will be my last post of 2015 and hopefully it’s a fitting end to what has been a thoroughly enjoyable year of black and white photography.

The five images in this entry were all taken on the last morning of my stay in Capel Curig, Snowdonia in Wales at the beginning of November. Although the mist was very atmospheric, (isn’t it always) I had been hoping for some early morning sun to break through. Although this didn’t materialise, I am still happy with the results of an hour spent in a field immediately opposite where I had been staying, for what proved to be a great introduction to this part of Snowdonia. I don’t have any New Year resolutions but I do know that I want to return to this beautiful part of the UK in the not too distant future.

Until then may I take this opportunity to thank everyone who has visited my blog, and liked or made comments about some of the entries. I am always very grateful for the feedback, it’s much appreciated.

Have a very happy New Year and may 2016 bring you peace and good health; and if you are a photographer like me, I hope you will be inspired to take some fine images in the year ahead.

To fully appreciate each image do click on the picture to see an enlarged version which will open in a new window.

Early morning in Snowdonia – with or without a tripod?

Looking towards the Snowdon Horseshoe from Llynnau Mymbyr, near Plas y Brenin

This is one of those iconic photographic locations where many tripods have stood, with cameras perched and the photographer waiting for the right light before releasing the shutter. Checking and rechecking the composition on the back of the camera, moving the tripod a little to the right or to the left, then raising or lowering the height of the legs until all the important elements of the picture fall into place. With many ‘JCBs’ or ‘Joe Cornish Boulders’ to fill the foreground the permutations are almost limitless.

It may well be a popular location, but as a first time visitor to Snowdonia it had to be taken. However my set up is rather different to the one described above. Put simply I prefer not to use a tripod. I have observed many photographers using this piece of equipment which is considered by many to be essential to landscape photography. It’s often extended to eye level so that they can stand comfortably. Nothing wrong with that but might a lower viewpoint be more interesting? I like to move around with the camera in my hand, spontaneously reacting to what I see through the viewfinder. No live view for me on the back of my Leica Monochrom. I enjoy this freedom of movement, working a location, without a heavy tripod and its head to inhibit me. I can easily crouch or even lie down on the ground to get the picture I want.

I know some will say a tripod slows you down, makes you stop and think about what you are doing, but this just isn’t my style. I like to change the composition of a shot by moving my body around, whilst adjusting the position of my feet and hands, until I see the picture that works for me. Perhaps I am lazy or just too impatient to take the shot and move on, but I can cover a lot more ground without a tripod. If you use one on a regular basis, can I suggest you leave it in the boot of your car one day and see what a difference it makes – you may find it quite liberating – I know I do!