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Behind The Lens
Location
This is the Rialto Bridge in Venice - last Sunday before Christmas. Venice in winter has a totally different feel; Christmas markets and lights, fewer tourists, cold air and lots of mists.Time
Approximately 9.00am from memory.Lighting
I travelled to Venice at Christmas hoping to have some fog - I wasn't disappointed!Equipment
Shot on a Canon 5d mkII, handheld with 70-200 f4.Inspiration
I went in search of fog, partly inspired by Zu Sanchez shot of egrets flying into the mist in front of Santa Maria della Salute, and also the atmosphere of Michael Dibdin's book Dead Lagoon. On my first morning while waiting to board a vaporetto I glimpsed a red and white hat passing by down the Grand Canal and cursed that I'd missed an interesting shot. Once I got on board I ran to the far side of the boat and peered down the canal but the wearer had disappeared into the fog. I turned to look in the other direction and couldn't believe that there were boatloads of Santa Claus coming my way. I always have my camera by my side on a Black Rapid strap and so was able to grab this shot straight away.Editing
I increased the clarity in Lightroom (this was before dehaze) sufficiently to give definition to the boats without losing the atmosphere of the shot. Naturally I gave the red saturation a little boost too since it emphasised the subject matter.In my camera bag
I now shoot with a 5D MkIII but on overseas trips carry my MkII too as back up with a 70-200 as my main lens as it allows me to capture details rather than "postcard" scenes as well as candids of local people. On my second body I'll have a 24-70 to give me wider options as needed. I shoot a lot of interiors too (more often dimly lit churches) so it's handy to have a carbon fibre tripod with me too.Feedback
This shot was all about reaction time - seeing the opportunity and taking it before the boat I was on moved and blocked the shot. Think about the conditions on the day and what you're likely to be shooting and preset these to be as ready as possible. I usually shoot fairly wide open and on aperture priority on these occasions, so as long as I've set an appropriate ISO I'm good to go.