Panasonic LUMIX GX8 + Lumix G Vario 14-140 f3.5-5.6, ISO 200, 1/3200 s,  140mm, f/8

The picture of the week #15 was taken shortly after sunrise on a mountain near Děčín in the Czech Republic. After the night, an inversion hindered the cold wet air from the valley to rise. An inversion is a warmer layer of air (a bit simplified), which prevents colder air from below to rise. When the dew point is reached below the inversion, but not above the inversion, a surrealistic ocean-like surface of clouds forms. Turbulences induced by the wind and obstacles like mountains become visible and the play of the sun beaming into the mist creates a marvelous spectacle.

Shoting the picture against the light brings out the details in the tree silhouettes and reduces the colors  to a minimum. However, lens flares and can cause dull low-contrast images and colorcasts. This is the situation lens hoods are made for. They keep the flares out and the contrast in the image. To improve the contrast and in general the image quality, it is beneficial to keep the lens in the shadow while taking the photograph.

This was by far the best view for a breakfast after a rainy afternoon and night we could hope for.  Let’s see what comes next.