By harnessing the naturally foggy nature of San Francisco, street photographer Joshua Singh brings an extra touch of magic to his imagery. Inspired by the way the fog washes over the city and creates a special atmosphere, it’s become a star player in his pictures. The incorporation of fog makes for a unique portfolio that elevates each image and heightens the drama.
Though Singh always used photography as a means to document his travels, he began to take the craft more seriously during the pandemic. “It was an easy way to safely explore the outdoors and get some exercise,” he tells My Modern Met. “I ended up exploring more of the city either by walking or biking than I’d ever done before the pandemic. Exposure to new neighborhoods sparked some interesting ideas to shoot.”
Singh typically wandered the city at golden hour—the magical period either right before sunset or just after sunrise. It’s a favorite moment of photographers thanks to the golden light that makes for stunning photos. At his peak, Singh was out exploring four to five times a week, looking for the perfect street scenes to photograph. That’s when he realized that he could use the fog to enhance his work.
“Fog really gives an ordinary image a sense of mystery. It can also enhance the mood of a specific scene. I think the chase is a lot of fun because when you go out you don’t really know what you will get. For example, there may be a day when there’s heavy fog but no interesting street scene to shoot. You might one day get lucky with heavy fog and a very interesting scene to capture. I think the uncertainty is exciting.”
It’s clear that Singh developed a keen eye for observation over the course of the pandemic and that he’s learned to expertly harness the fog to give a special touch to his work. He hopes that, in doing so, others will look at his photographs and be able to feel the mood in the same way he did while documenting the scene.
During the pandemic, Joshua Singh took more walks in San Francisco.
This led him to develop a keen eye for street photography.
In particular, he loves exploring neighborhoods at golden hour…
… and using San Francisco’s fog to create an air of mystery.
Joshua Singh: Instagram
My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Joshua Singh.
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