What were you thinking at the time? Probably nothing.

I’ve been asked this question a few times, always from a non-photographer, or perhaps a newbie. They see one of my shots, really like it, then go on to ask the details. First, and foremost: What kind of camera, f/stop, shutter speed, etc. As if these really held some monumental importance. We all know that there are a multitude of exposures that will work for a given case, especially when motion and depth of field are not strong considerations.

But the more intriguing question is: What were you thinking about at the time, or how did you come about this photo? This reminds me of those pedantic literature lessons: When the author said … what do you think he meant. Of course, none of us can know for sure, only the author/artist. Sometimes I remember, other times, I do not. So, while I do remember, lets take this photo and delve into the mind of the photographer. Me.

I awoke at 6:15 did my customary glance out of the bedroom window to check the weather. It was still dark, but from the streetlamp down the street, i could see that it was somewhat foggy. A heavy mist hung in the air. This always, and I mean, always, leads to excitement for me. Fog is something that I have to photograph. I hurried up, got ready for work, and hustled over to the river.

After shooting along the bank for a while, say 20 minutes, I was returning to the parking lot when I spotted a figure in the distance. There was a man fishing. Everything was silent except for the sound of traffic in the distance, light at this hour. The most pronounced sounds were the sound of the fishing line unspooling and the splash of the fisherman’s weight as he cast here and there.

I don’t think that I was thinking anything. I just felt at peace. Fog does that for me. It takes away the details. It’s the one time when I get to see things almost in black & white, free of competing colors. This picture is in color and is presented here with minimal post processing.

I guess that I’m always excited about shooting in fog for that very reason. I cannot feel it, but it has enough substance to change my view of the world. After the fact, I thought, and still think that this, and other moments that I’ve captured, represent a peace and appreciation that I would like to keep at the forefront of my mind. Always.