Fall Foliage Season Begins
We are one week into Fall, and the trees around us are right on time with their seasonal show. In many regions of North America, the landscape silently explodes with vibrant colors of red, yellow, and orange. The leaves begin to drop off the trees, providing endless hours of jumping into leaf piles for kids and raking them back up for parents! Temperatures begin to drop, and the nights begin to get longer. This is the secret ingredients to bring about the best foliage conditions. For us photographers, this is the time where we go out and take advantage of the Fall foliage in order to capture brilliant photos of the season. Here are a few things you should know before you go out and capture the Fall foliage.
Start high, and work your way down
If you want to see the best color right now, you’ll need to go into the higher elevations. The color begins in the higher elevations.
Be creative with macro photography
This is a great way to explore the colors and textures of autumn, while also using unique points-of-view. Try experimenting with different angles on familiar objects.
Stop and look around
Sometimes we move so fast that we don’t get a chance to just stop and look what’s around us. With that in mind, don’t forget that colorful trees aren’t the only place to find beautiful fall images. A forest floor covered with a carpet of leaves, a flower in a field, textured bark. These are all are good places to start seeking a unique image or a different angle that you may have not thought about.
Find Water
Reflections are very popular fall images. Here’s a tip for you: Shoot only the water with the reflecting leaves, not the shoreline. What you can also do is slow down your shutter speed and pan your camera for an even more abstract effect.
Go out more than once
Fall foliage changes so quickly. Who can keep up with it? Just remember, there can be huge changes in color and intensity from week to week. Don’t be afraid to try other locations. It’s the Fall, have fun with it.
Autumn is a great opportunity for all photographers to create some really colorful and outstanding photos. There are few subjects as universally inspiring as fall foliage. Just remember to look for different ways to shoot familiar subjects, whether it’s macro, down low, with filters, or even after dawn. You will see that it pays off in many wonderful, dynamic shots that capture the spirit of the Fall season.