www.sfgate.com /sf-culture/article/SF-Instagram-photographer-captures-fog-16832182.php

This SF photographer treats fog as his subject

Douglas Zimmerman 7-8 minutes 2/6/2022

Joshua Singh's love for San Francisco is evident through his photographs.

"I'm really very grateful to live in San Francisco, where if you look in any direction, you're bound to find something beautiful to capture — the hills, the bridges, the ocean," explained Singh.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Instagram / josh7185

Through his Instagam @josh7185, Singh shares his self-described "moody street photography" with the Bay Area. Many of his images are photographed during San Francisco's foggy weather, sheathing them with a soft, ethereal and timeless beauty.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Instagram / josh7185

"I love chasing the fog, especially when it's at ground level," explains Singh. "Fog gives the image an element of mystery and just adds a new dimension to any otherwise regular scene."

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Instagram / josh7185

Singh, who moved to the Bay Area five years ago, started spending more time photographing the city when the COVID-19 pandemic started.

"I took it more seriously during the pandemic as it was an easy way to safely explore the outdoors and get some exercise," he said. "I ended up exploring more of the city either by walking or biking than I'd ever done before the pandemic."

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Instagram / josh7185

Singh visited new neighborhoods four to five times a week, often during the "golden hour," the period of time around sunset when the light is just right and fog often rolls into the city.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Instagram / josh7185

"You have the lovely fog and also the golden hour light, which just makes ordinary images look incredible," explained Singh. "I try to add a human perspective to evoke an emotion of what I or the person in the photo may be feeling."

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Instagram / josh7185

After the pandemic restrictions eased, Singh noted he could still keep to his photography routine, capturing the beauty of San Francisco shrouded in fog. The weather conditions continually sparked his creative juices — his most memorable experiences were shooting during heavy fog along the Great Highway and in the Twin Peaks neighborhood.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Instagram / josh7185

Singh is selective with the images he posts to his page and has simple criteria to decide what to share.

"For me, the criteria is quite simple. The image should make me feel something. If it doesn't, then I'm most probably not going to post it," Singh explained. "I don't always get it right, though, but I'm still learning."

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Instagram / josh7185

As for figuring out the best times to snap his images, Singh explains that being part of Escapye, which describes itself as a "weather service, community, and collective for photographers," helps him find the optimal conditions to take beautiful images.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Instagram / josh7185

"It's been fun chasing fog and then capturing images around it," he added. He often uses a Sony mirrorless camera with a 50 mm f1.2 lens, allowing him to shoot in low light situations without a flash.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Instagram / josh7185

"I also sometimes use the 100-400 telephoto lens to compress objects in a frame," Singh noted. "This comes in handy when you're in the city and trying to give the viewer a sense of the hills."

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Instagram / josh7185

During winter months, Singh adjusts his approach because the fog — so often present during much of the year — makes less of an appearance.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Instagram / josh7185

"I haven't had much luck finding tule fog this winter, but looking forward to the summer fog to arrive," he said.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Instagram / josh7185

But with his camera in hand, Singh is excited to continue his photographic journey through his adopted hometown.

"I'm very grateful to live here and call the city by the bay my home," he said. "I hope to continue discovering and sharing images of the city in a unique way."

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Instagram / josh7185

To view Joshua Singh's photographs, follow him on his Instagram page @josh7185. He also sells prints and encourages other photographers to direct message him if they are interested in shooting or doing a collaboration together.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Josh Singh combines San Francisco's natural beauty with human elements in his photographs showcased on his Instagram page @josh7185.

Instagram / josh7185