Atmosphere and weather

Thirteen ways to fill the air, and the wording that gets each one.

Air is invisible until something is in it. Put fog, smoke, rain or dust between the camera and the subject and the shot gains depth, because you can suddenly see how far away things are.

Water in the air

5

Rain, fog, mist, haze and snow. Each one cuts the distance by a different amount, and that is the whole difference between them.

Fog: Thick fog cuts the distance and flattens everything behind the subject.

Thick fog cuts the distance and flattens everything behind the subject.

Mist: A light moisture in the air sits low and drifts slowly.

A light moisture in the air sits low and drifts slowly.

Atmospheric Haze: A thin veil in the air softens the far planes and lifts the shadows.

Atmospheric Haze

A thin veil in the air softens the far planes and lifts the shadows.

Rain: Falling water streaks the air and puts light on every surface.

Falling water streaks the air and puts light on every surface.

Snow: Falling snow fills the air and softens every sound and edge.

Falling snow fills the air and softens every sound and edge.

Fire, smoke and dust

5

Particles that catch the light and give a beam a body.

Smoke: Smoke rolls through the air and gives the light a body.

Smoke rolls through the air and gives the light a body.

Steam: Hot vapour rises in columns and catches whatever light is near.

Hot vapour rises in columns and catches whatever light is near.

Sparks and Embers: Hot embers fly through the frame and leave short bright trails.

Sparks and Embers

Hot embers fly through the frame and leave short bright trails.

Dust Motes: Fine particles hang in a light beam and mark where the light travels.

Fine particles hang in a light beam and mark where the light travels.

Dust and Sand: Driven dust fills the air and eats the distance.

Driven dust fills the air and eats the distance.

Water on the ground, and under it

3

The wet surface does the work. It throws light back, so a night street reads instead of going black.

Wet-Down: Surfaces are soaked so they throw light back, even with no rain falling.

Surfaces are soaked so they throw light back, even with no rain falling.

Ocean: Sea water fills the scene and moves under its own weight.

Sea water fills the scene and moves under its own weight.

Underwater: The scene sits below the surface, where light shafts and everything slows.

The scene sits below the surface, where light shafts and everything slows.

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Other techniques

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Density and height. Fog is thick and cuts the distance hard. Mist is lighter and sits low. Haze is a thin veil that only softens the far planes and lifts the shadows.