Take A Look Outside The Window

Captivated by what you can’t see

After a long night of partying and hanging out with friends online, I glanced out my office window and noticed an incredible fog covering our hilltop in Pittsburgh. This was the perfect opportunity to capture some foggy photography.

Hyped up on caffeine, I shut everything down and started assembling the gear I wanted to take, considering the tripod, lenses, and what cameras would be right for the job. I decided I’d keep my options simple:

• GH4 with 7.5mm Fisheye Lens
• Pentax K-x with 50mm Lens
• Pixel Phone

The thing you have to really be aware of is how fast the weather changes.

As the sun was bound to rise before 7am, I knew time was of the essence.

I frantically tried to figure out what scene I could capture with this foggy atmosphere. My view of the Pittsburgh skyline offered promising results but typically an overdone photographic location. So, I needed something close to home, and most importantly…

Just To Get Out There

I started my journey heading to what I immediately saw outside my front door.

I envisioned the Pittsburgh skyline, and the Cathedral of Learning covered in heavy fog.

Driving around I decided to stop on Forbes and pull over for a quick photo of the beautiful morning light. I quickly framed the photo and carried on.

Go With The Flow

One thing that I’ve learned to hone over the years is to be open to suggestions.

The weather can really solidify this statement.

I could chase the exact scene and setting I was hoping for, but often you will get there and the lighting changes, the weather changes; there is often always a factor.

So even if I only took a few photos during this outing (none of which I had anticipated), I was content to start making my way home and keep my eyes open.

Driving around, I noticed heavy fog throughout Schenley Park. I changed lanes and drove into the park.

This is the moment I found myself rewarded. This was what I needed.

Schenley In The Mist

This beautiful park dates back to 1889, 99 years before I was born! There are beautiful trees and over 456 acres of land to explore here. There are a few spots I really appreciate. And the photo above is a new one that is now a go to for me. Private roads, quiet, and lots of wildlife and trails to explore.

This moment reminded me of the time I went downtown with just an hour to spare before I met Keya. I was fortunate enough to come across two baby squirrels. I fed them nuts from my hand, and it just really fired me up.

Animals and nature have a unique way of capturing the heart and providing someone with tranquility and peace. This unexpected moment of coming within 10 feet of a small beautiful doe grazing in the sunrise and beautiful fog just completely made my morning.

I had no intention of photographing animals like this, and especially this close. She didn’t mind me one bit. I was just focused on the nature and light rays beaming through the fog.

I was able to park the car across the street. I figured as soon as I closed the door she would bolt. She was so close.

But no, I shut the door and walked across the street, set my camera to capture the sun, trees, mist, and her. The shutter sounded, and she’d look up with her small head and broad ears, then pay me no mind because the dew was fresh on the grass and she was hungry.

Peaceful, Yet Distant

What really created a bonding moment was she was so docile. It’s interesting how deer tend to be that way. It made me think of Aunt “T,” who we joke about being an animal whisperer.

She has a deep appreciation for her local wildlife, from herding turkeys in her backyard, in her gentle and soothing voice (“Hello, baby… hey, babygirl…”) to innocent doe at her homestead.

I heard her voice and channeled my best deer whispering voice. I tend to think I have that ability too. I would say, “Thank you for creating the scene… You’re fine,” and inch closer, eventually within 20 feet. Still she had no intention of fleeing. This is rare when photographing animals.

I even was able to go back to the car and get the other camera. Can you believe it?

She eventually made her way towards the right side to the wooded area. I decided to venture further out, and see If I could reap further rewards in the beautiful foggy scenery of Schenley Park.

After this wild turkey garnered some well deserved attention I traveled back towards the entry, inching closer to home, hoping for just a few more fog-heavy photos.

Shine A Little Light

I swapped cameras several times during this outing, while accomplishing a goal that I had made for myself to utilize my old Pentax K-x from 2009.

It’s a camera I’ve held dear to my heart and still trust to get the job done. I would say that this morning adventure offered more return than I anticipated.

Sometimes You Can’t See It
But It May Come

Look Beyond The Fog To Find A Brighter View