Spotting at San Francisco (SFO) - Tips for Foggy Day Shots?

Hey everyone, I'm planning a spotting trip to SFO soon and was wondering if anyone has tips for shooting during those foggy mornings they're famous for. I've got a Canon 90D and usually shoot with a 100-400mm lens. The fog can make for some dramatic shots, but I'm worried about losing detail or having everything look too washed out.

How do you guys handle exposure and focus in those conditions? Is it better to underexpose a bit and fix it in post? I'd love to hear your settings or any post-processing tricks you use to make those foggy shots pop. Also, any specific spots around SFO that work best in the fog? Thanks!

Foggy days at SFO can be tricky but rewarding. I'd try underexposing slightly, maybe by a stop, to keep some detail and avoid that washed-out look. You can always bump up the shadows in post. For focus, use single-point AF to lock onto specific details, like the cockpit or engine. Terminal 2 garage roof is a decent spot, even in fog. Also, shooting in RAW gives you more flexibility to adjust the foggy effects later. Have fun!

Fog can definitely make things tricky. I'd suggest trying manual focus if the autofocus struggles. Also, maybe bracket your shots. Take a few with different exposures and see what works best. As for locations, I've had luck near the Bayfront Park area. The planes are pretty low there, and the fog can create a cool effect when they break through it. Just be ready to adjust your settings quickly since the light can change a lot as the fog shifts.

I've always found that shooting in RAW helps a ton with foggy conditions. Gives you more room to adjust things like exposure and contrast in post without losing quality. As for locations, the Bayfront Park area can be good. Sometimes the fog is less dense there, and you get a nice angle of planes coming in. Also, don't be afraid to embrace the foggy vibe. Sometimes a little mystery adds character to the shot!