Cheat sheet · Landscape & nature

Camera settings for fog and mist

Fog tricks meters into underexposure: add +0.7 to +1.3 EV and look for simple shapes.

ModeAperture priority
Exposure compensation+0.7 to +1.3 EV
Aperturef/5.6–f/8
ISO100–400
White balanceCloudy or custom
Quick start: Fog tricks meters into underexposure: add +0.7 to +1.3 EV and look for simple shapes.

Starting exposures#

Typical scene brightness for this situation is around EV 12. Use these as a first test shot, then check the histogram.

ApertureISO 100ISO 400ISO 1600ISO 6400
f/1.41/2000 s1/8000 stoo brighttoo bright
f/2.81/500 s1/2000 s1/8000 stoo bright
f/5.61/125 s1/500 s1/2000 s1/8000 s
f/81/60 s1/250 s1/1000 s1/4000 s
f/111/30 s1/125 s1/500 s1/2000 s

Step by step#

  1. Shoot early morning near water.
  2. Look for silhouettes of trees and layers.
  3. Use a telephoto to compress layers.

Gear checklist#

  • Tripod
  • Telephoto for layered hills

Pro tips#

  • Backlit fog with sunbeams is magical — expose for the highlights.

Common mistakes#

  • Grey, underexposed results from trusting the meter.
Sunrise photographyArrive in the dark: the best colour often happens 20–30 minutes before the sun appears.… Landscape photographyMaximise depth of field and dynamic range: low ISO, f/8–f/11, a tripod and focus near the …

Frequently asked questions#

What are the best camera settings for fog and mist?

Aperture: f/5.6–f/8 · ISO: 100–400. Fog tricks meters into underexposure: add +0.7 to +1.3 EV and look for simple shapes.

What gear do I need for fog and mist?

Tripod, Telephoto for layered hills.

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources