One of my favorite locations for fog is Quabbin Hill. This was my first time shooting this tree found on the ride down the access road from the top. I liked the combination of rich colored hay-scented fern and the diminished color and light shrouding the tree. Ordinarily this would be a fairly busy image but the thick fog simplified it quite well, I think.
I approached and then walked back as I tried to control the tree’s visibility and the hiding quality of the fog for the background.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
The scene impresses me with its quiet stillness and the balance of everything in the composition seems so pleasing.. it’s magic!
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Thank you, Liz.There is something about fog that is calming although in the right setting it can be a bit spooky or mysterious too.
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Your title immediately reminded me of Paul McCartney’s “The Fool on the Hill,” which I haven’t heard or thought about for probably decades. Don’t know if you had it in mind when you chose such similar words.
It’s interesting how the hill, which occupies only a corner, bears all the color.
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I searched for a word that rhymes with fool defining fog but couldn’t come up with anything. Apparently it wasn’t necessary as you picked up on it anyway. But, yeah, that’s exactly what I was thinking.
Happenstance. I tried a few different compositions in addition to controlling the depth of the fog to also get a balance between the ferns and the rest of the image. I think more would be too much and less make it almost inconsequential.
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Stopped me dead in my tracks. Holds my attention. I don’t want it to let go. I won’t let go of it. This could take a while…
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Still looking? I am beyond pleased with your response to the image. It wasn’t one that I planned or visualized until I was rolling down the hill. I’ve driven by it many times and only this time paid it some deserved mind. It is an image that I enjoyed photographing. It is an image I enjoyed processing. And now one that I am very pleased to have shared. Thank you, sir.
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You’re welcome. And thank you!
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There is something about fog that lends mystery to every scene and especially the lone tree in this photo. The color contrast here which the fog against the reddish fern is very nice too.
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There is always that bit of mystery. Not always a frightening mystery but one that makes you wonder. There is usually a lot going on behind this tree but it is hidden from view leaving the viewer to wonder. I am glad you enjoy the contrast between color and the foggy unseen. Thanks, Yvonne.
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This really is a very quiet, reflective piece. I agree with Yvonne about the mystery the fog adds, and about the color of the fern. It all works so well together.
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Thanks, Todd. It just struck me as I was driving down the hill from the summit where I usually shoot trees in fog. Then it was a question of where to stand.
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I especially like the curve of the hill, which suggests the movement of a world turning toward autumn.
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Ha. That made me think of the revolving stages they use in plays and in concerts with many acts. I watched one of Clapton’s Crossroads Festivals where they had setups rotating for each act.
Despite the hill, that tree is growing nice and straight.
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Love the composition of this – the contrast between the orangey ferns and the grey is superb! 🙂
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And it was natural. Sometimes folks will convert to black and white and keep color for one subject. Didn’t have to do that here…actually I have never done that.
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Such a beautiful fade, Steve, there it goes….
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All done with the pedal zoom. 🙂
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