I’m fervently working through the 2057 photos I took in Costa Rica, and I hope to start sharing some photostories from that trip soon. If you can’t wait that long, we’re already sharing some of our travel adventures on our travel blog, BIGtinyWorld. We won’t be duplicating posts, so you’re invited to follow both blogs!
In the meantime, I have a photostory that’s a bit older. I’ve been anxious to process these photos, but for whatever reason, I simply haven’t gotten around to them. I alluded to this story before, but I now have the finished pictures to share in all their glory.
I love love love mist. It completely transforms a scene into something seldom seen – eerie and magical. With just the right amount of mist, any mundane location can’t help but be breathtakingly beautiful.
We took a trip to Crater Lake, and we stayed at a nearby campground off of Diamond Lake. We attempted to catch sunset our first night there, but we found the crater hidden in a snowstorm. Back at the campground, it was cold and wet, but drying, with low clouds already settling into the valley for the night.
I had a hunch this was the perfect formula for some morning fog.
However, we stayed up late playing games over a few drinks, as a group of photographer friends tend to do while on a photo excursion together. Needless to say, the thought of crawling out of bed before the sun didn’t appeal to anyone.
I wasn’t fond of the early hour, either, but the thought of magical mist was enough to drag my tired butt out of bed before anyone else. Sleep tends to vanish, and I’m more willing to do crazy things at the promise of some good photos.
For once, my hunch paid off.
Absolutely no one was around, and I was unsure if I should even be out on the dock. Not even the fishermen were up yet. The air was crisp and silent, but the lake was stunningly shrouded in a thin layer of mist.
Magic.
I went to town. It was one of those incredible mornings where I forgot the cold entirely; I didn’t even notice the frost on my camera bag. I loved the calm water, the birds all lined up on a distant log, the idle motorboats resting at the dock, the proud mountain serving as my backdrop. It was gorgeous, and I couldn’t get enough.
Have I mentioned I love the excitement of a perfect photo morning? Sure, I take pictures all the time. But times are rare when I’m giddy at the camera, ecstatic to be capturing a perfect moment. My techniques could be atrocious, and the photos would still be amazing. This is what fuels my passion; this is what I live for.
I reluctantly packed up my gear once the sun was too high and the magic gone, the early boats just departing from the shore and disturbing the mirror lake. It was only then that I realized my hands were a bit cold.
I returned to the cabin to share my captures and incite jealousy amongst my sleepy comrades. They vowed to try the next morning, but after a warmer sunny day, the following day wouldn’t offer the same magic again. Perhaps next time, they’ll forsake their pillows and come with me.
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It was definitely wonderful that you got up early. The photos are stunning. I really love them, and your story.
Thank you, Tim! We don’t always realize the amazing scenes we usually just sleep through 🙂
Yeah me too
Breathtaking photos accompanied by a lovely story a lot of us can relate to 🙂
Thank you!
Beautiful photos
Thank you!
Alluring and mystifying 🙂
I simply love photographing mist!
Ah those magic hours! Some superb serene shots …. what I’d be thrilled to hang on a wall. Bravo!
Thank you! It was truly a magical morning 🙂
My pleasure!
These are magical, thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you for stopping by!
Whoa!…here in Nsukka is quite chilly. Chilly enough for a misty photostory. I can feel all that magic around me as if I were there, taking those pictures with you!. Thanks for sharing! Now I can sleep and have a magical dream????
Thank you! It certainly was cold, but it was totally worth it!
Yeah I agree
That’s call wonder beauty pictures.. amazing clicked..
Thank you!
Your welcome..
Stunning photos…
Thank you!
????????????????great photos!!!
These images take me back to a time when I would sneak out of my house in the wee hours of the morning to sit on the dock with my lab. I would sit with a heavy blanket watching the wind move across the water. Such a simpler time…
Ah, that sounds so peaceful… much better than our typical, hustle-bustle lives!
That’s nice..
The purple tones throughout these photos are gorgeous. Do you do much post-production to bring out the colours or are these straight from the lens?
I do some post-processing, but I really try to stay true to the scenes as much as I can (with some artistic exceptions). For the most part, this is how I saw that morning; it was absolutely breathtaking.
I love waking up early to catch sunrise and yes, the results never disappoint me. Not to mention the nature is always wholly different in the morning.
Anyway, this deserves more attention! Amazing photos, keep it up. My favourite is the one with the clouds and oh, how beautiful is the reflection and the colours! I can imagine myself waking up early and run over there to enjoy the view. So breath-taking! Hopefully one day I can experience something perfect like this.
Thank you so much! Early morning is my favorite time of day. I’m a big fan of sleep as well, but photography is best just before sunrise 🙂
You’re welcome! Keep doing what you’re doing. ????
Wow. Those photos are so beautiful! I’m not joking when I say those are the most amazing pictures I have ever seen. I’ll be going to crater lake this summer! Thanks you!
That’s kind of you to say! I love visiting Crater Lake – it’s Oregon’s only national park. The wilderness out there never ceases to amaze me. The whole area is so beautiful!
Well, thank you so much. Amazing photos! i followed you and now i want to see even more amazing photos like that
Thanks for the follow! I look forward to sharing more photos with you 🙂
Thank you ????
Photos are stunning
Thank you!
Fantastical photos. They are gorgeous and absolutely mystical. Keep up the great work.
Thank you so much! I had so much fun shooting them 🙂
Gorgeous! You’re right, the mist lends an otherwordly quality to the scene.
Mist is my favorite.. too bad I don’t get to see it all that often. But perhaps that’s what makes it so special!
I love photos with mist and fog. I’m not a true photographer, but the ones I’ve taken with just my smart phone are good because fog is so forgiving. Yours are gorgeous. I love the rising mist off the lake.
Thank you! Mist is nature’s eye candy 🙂
Magical!
The word pearls are very beautifully crafted and beaded to complement the picturesque clicks! It was a great pleasure reading such a description of a normal day out on a foggy day… Awesome!!!
Thank you so much! What a beautifully written complement 🙂
Thank you
Thanks for stopping by!
Anytime, it was awesome
Awesome
Superb story and the the visuals… Just like dream!
Thank you!
A fabulous photo story -thank you for sharing-I love misty mornings as well -although they are more rare in my corner of Zimbabwe, Africa!
Zimbabwe! Wow! I’m always intrigued by how far my posts reach. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Photographs are awesome
Thank you!
Really awesome pics.
Thats a scenery to die for
I am going for a small trip nearby too
Wonder if I can get anything even close to your pics with an iPad mini XDD
I’m a firm believer that the camera does not a photographer make. I’ve seen some amazing photos from phones. Don’t let your equipment limit you 🙂
Definitely will not and thanks a lot for the encouragement….I should be sleeping right now since we leave at 4am….(it’s 1am now XD) Looks like I will have to catch some sleep in the car XD.????
Lovely captions that you’ve well captured 🙂
Marvelous photos.
Thank you!
A story told through images always resonates with me.
Beautifully “said”. 😀
Thank you!
Amazing pics!
Thank you!
photography, I agree, can be very addictive; it grows on you till it becomes something you can’t live without.
Absolutely!
It’s beautiful
Thank you!
This is breathtakingly beautiful and eery. You can sense the quiet.
That kind of quiet is very peaceful. I love mornings like these!
These photos are stunning and the story is as well. What camera are using if I may ask 🙂
Thank you! This is the equipment I use: https://lotsasmilesphoto.com/about/my-equipment/
wow amazing..
Thank you!
Beautiful photos! I especially like the one of the mountain reflected in the calm waters.
Thank you!
These are some magical shots! It definitely worthwhile to get up before the sunrise and capture the beauty and tranquility of the Crater Lake.
I completely agree!
I’m glad I found you. I love photo blogs. And I look forward to the Costa Rica post. Looking at the above, aren’t you glad you got up early? You have an artistic eye.
Thank you! Yes, I’m loving the Costa Rica pictures I’m working on now – such a beautiful country. And while my sleepy head never wants to roll out of bed, I almost never regret doing so 🙂
These are amazing!
Thank you!
Such amazing photos! Loved reading this post ☺️
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it!
The bird one, with just birds, it’s my favourite!!!!
I like that one, too 🙂
I can’t explain how soothing it was to see the photographs ???? amazing
I’m glad you like them! I love quiet mornings like these 🙂
‘I wasn’t fond of the early hour, either, but the thought of magical mist was enough…’
Glad that it was enough for you as it let us see it through ur camera canvas…
When it comes to photography, I’m easily convinced 😉
Delight for the viewers though!!!
Breathtaking pictures! That particular picture with thin mist background stole my heart away. Nice work – author
Thank you!
Really amazing pics!! 🙂
Thank you!
Wow! These pictures are so amazing!!
It feels so amazing to wake up to scenes like these, isn’t it? Plus being able to capture them so beautifully! I am glad I came across your blog!
Thank you! Yes, it was a rare morning – one I’m happy to have caught 🙂
Absolutely lovely! I think I can feel the mist in my nostrils!
Thank you!
Beautiful pictures!
Thank you!
For the late risers like me, it’s an amazing way to bring the dawn to our eyes from the time they’re shut with dreams and possibly for people in other countries who just can’t be there physically. Morning speaks through your photo_stories!
Beautifully said! Thank you!
Breathtaking pictures that make me feel like I am there in the midst of the fog. It looks so cool and inviting compared to our 123 degree heat in Phoenix. Thank you for sharing.
Yes, it’s been hot in Oregon as of late, too.. it makes me long for that frozen morning 🙂
[…] via Photostory: The Misty Morning — LotsaSmiles Photography […]
My kind of pictures ????
You made those pictures alive and talking. Great touch!!
Thank you!
It was beautiful though I can’t understand
English
谢谢 🙂
Beautiful, especially the birds taking flight amidst the wings!
.. I meant “taking flight amidst the mist”!
Thank you!
These are beautiful! What a capture in that moment with both pre-dawn and sunlight. Gorgeous! Totally worth losing a little sleep!
I agree! Thank you!
Nice
Thank you!
Beautifully captured!! 🙂
Thank you!
Wonderful pictures !
Thank you!
Something so enchanting about mist, love it
I agree!
Absolutely magical! Love it!
Thank you!
Beautiful captures of the mood.
Thank you!
So beautifully serene. Wish I was there sorting thoughts and grabbing inspirations.
Yes, it was certainly a very peaceful morning. Thanks for stopping by!
My pleasure. Have a wonderful week.
Amazing photos, so serene. Love the mist????????
Me too! Thank you!
Your picture are beautiful and eery in the best way.
Thank you!
Very beautiful.
Thank you, Rita!
Beautifully woven, amazing captures
Thank you!
Amazing! Loved the feeling of loneliness and relaxation these pictures inspire.
Thank you! Mornings like these are great for introspection and recapturing calm 🙂
Love the BW photo with the mountain shining in the background! Come check out my photo blog, I am fairly new to the blog world 🙂
Thanks for stopping by! I like that black and white photo, too 🙂
Stunning work, and I loved reading your photostory!
Thank you for stopping by!
Gorgeous, followed your blog!
Thank you! Glad to hear it!
I love the simplicity of the photos here!
Thank you!
The photos are super awesome!
Thank you!
Wow. That is amazing! I love your adventurous spirit!!! I’m the same way. Don’t ever let anyone else discourage that about you! 🙂
Thank you, Jamie! I don’t think anyone could kill my spirit 😉
LOVE the pictures!
Thank you, Kendra!
Stunning photos!
Thank you!
What astonishing capture of mist on water. Always makes me so sad but then I find it captivating and mysterious. Thank you sharing.
I find it fascinating to see how my photos impact people and the emotions they invoke. I’m glad you like them. Thanks for stopping by!
Great posts. Out of curiosity (I’m trying to grow my blog too), how did you get your post featured on the wordpress discover page?
To be honest, it was completely coincidental. An editor came across my site from a weekly photo contest submission (one of my Sunday posts) and found this post. It was mostly a lucky break, but participating in regular challenges help get you seen 🙂 I’ll be starting my own photo challenge really soon, so be on the lookout for that!