Make fall the season of great photos.
Fall is almost here. The in-between season where days grow cooler and leaves change color. As we get closer and closer to winter it can feel like a lot of fall is spent bracing for the coming cold. But there's so much beauty to be experienced in this period of transition—the change in nature, the way life seems to settle down. Don't let it pass you by. Discover our guide to photographing fall in all its quiet glory.
Get creative with nature.
This time of year means that trees are constantly changing. We all know how photogenic the rich and ranging tones of fall leaves are but what can be interesting is to try and photograph the hallmarks of fall in a fresh way. See if you can capture autumn leaves in the stillness of a water’s reflection. Consider the dew drops that sit on spider webs in the untouched mornings. Play with light and make the most of the opportunities conjured by fall weather.
Embrace the grey days.
One positive about overcast days is the moody effect they can give to your photos. To combat the lack of bright light in your images, simply apply a monochrome filter. You’ll find the moody effects are enhanced and the light, dark and mid grey tones make the photo pop. Another great thing about gloomy fall days is that clouds act as a natural light diffuser, giving you a near shadow-less shooting environment. If you venture out into the grey, you can capture some truly great photos.
Make the most of golden hour.
Give your photos a natural glow by shooting your subjects during golden hour. Fall landscapes and colors are already breathtaking, but when bathed in golden light you can add a dream-like hue that elevates your subjects even further. Golden hour occurs just after sunrise and just before sunset. This is great if you're not an early riser (made even harder by crisp fall mornings) as you can still sleep in and fit it into your shooting schedule. But beware, golden hour is short-lived. Make sure you think about composition ahead of time to get the most out of the fleeting light.
Think about perspective.
If you find your subject isn't translating well on camera, try changing perspective. Move around and consider other viewpoints - angles can make a huge difference to how a subject comes across. Get down low and capture the leaves and mushrooms on the ground. Look up and capture the sky through the trees. If you have access to a drone, fly it above the treetops and capture some great bird's eye views. Simply get out and experiment. Take those conventional fall photos and apply your own unique spin. Let the viewer see fall through your eyes and not only will it make for a fresh image but a bit of yourself will leap from the photo.
It’s not just about the autumn trees.
What does fall represent for you? What fall traditions do you hold? Is it the yearly trip to the pumpkin patch and the carved masterpieces that follow? Maybe it’s simply being able to light the fire again and enjoy a hot drink? Or maybe it's being able to cook your favorite fall recipes? Whatever it is, be sure to bring your camera with you to capture it all. It’s these small moments that truly make the season.
Capture candid moments.
Let your children forget about the camera. Put on some gumboots and capture them jumping the puddles. Spend time together collecting a big pile of leaves and capture them playing in it. Whatever you do together, it’ll be sure to create great moments. It’s less about what you do and more about quality time. And that’s always photogenic.
