Fall Photography

Capturing the Beauty of Fall: My Approach

As summer transitions into fall, nature puts on a spectacular show of colors, making it the perfect season for photographers. With its vibrant foliage, golden light, and crisp air, fall offers many opportunities for fun, colorful, and creative photographs. Here are some things I consider and ways that I like to approach fall photography.

1. Timing

2. Embracing colors

3. Play with light

4. Get creative

5. Use elements

6. Focus on details

7. Editing

 Timing is Key:

As with most things photography, the timing of a fall photography excursion is crucial. I “try” to plan my outings around the peak foliage season in my area. I keep my on eye on local forecasts and foliage trackers to ensure you don't miss the vibrant colors at their best. There is an app for everything these days! Some years are better than others. In those “off” years, there are still opportunities to capture the essence of the season. Maybe not so much with the grand landscape images, but there are always opportunities. Think creatively, think outside the box, think details.

 Embrace the Colors:

Fall is synonymous with an explosion of colors, from fiery reds to golden yellows and deep oranges. I try to use these colors to my advantage as best as possible. I look for contrasting or complementary colors and interesting patterns to create visually compelling images.

 Play with Light:

Similar to timing, photography is greatly influenced by the quality of light. And in the fall, the light can be magical, especially during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset. The warm, soft light during these times can add a beautiful glow to your photographs. Experiment with different angles and perspectives to capture the play of light and shadow on the foliage. Even shooting into the sun through the foliage can create fun bursts and flares, adding to the magic.

 Explore Different Perspectives and Creativity

Let’s face it: classical landscape photographs are abundant. There are some incredible fall landscape scenes across the web, published in books, etc. There is nothing wrong with shooting the classic landscape. That’s generally my starting point. But I tend to quickly move on to a more creative approach. I experiment with compositions and perspectives, such as shooting from low angles or through foliage to add soft colors to the foreground (and don’t forget to look up!). I look for unique vantage points that offer a fresh take on familiar scenes. I also like using intentional camera movements, in-camera multiple exposures, and other forms of creativity at the time of shooting. For me, it’s more about capturing a familiar scene or subject in a unique, creative, and maybe less familiar way. For me, there are times to stick to truly “representational” photography that basically provides the viewer with an image as seen at the time of capturing it with my camera. Wildlife photography, for example. However, photographing fall scenes, for me, means getting creative and presenting an image as seen through my mind’s eye. You will see that most, if not all, of my fall images have been creatively altered through a whole host of techniques (in-camera, post-processing, etc.).

Incorporate the Elements:

Fall is a season of change, and the weather can play a significant role in your photography. Embrace the elements by incorporating them into your compositions. Capture the movement of leaves in the wind, the reflections of foliage in puddles after a rain shower, or the misty atmosphere on a foggy morning.

Focus on Details:

While sweeping landscapes are a hallmark of fall photography, I am sure to not overlook the more minor details. I like to focus on individual leaves, textures, and patterns to add a sense of intimacy to my photos. In some cases, I use a macro lens; in others, I simply get close to capture the intricate details of nature's fall beauty.

Edit with Care:

I use post-processing to enhance my fall photos. I think editing with care is essential to maintain the season's natural beauty. Mainly, I try to avoid over-saturating colors. As I’ve said earlier, I am not as concerned with presenting a fall scene for authenticity, representation, or documentation. That’s just my approach. There are many incredible photographers who capture authentic fall scenes every year. I love seeing them. You know the images I am talking about, those images that make you go, “Wow, I wish I was there!” With that being said, I really enjoy creative editing. I often shoot a scene or subject with a particular editing technique in mind (that’s my mind’s eye at work). Some creative editing techniques I routinely use, much of what is displayed in this article, are intentional camera movement, multiple exposures (in-camera or post processing), adding textures and other overlays, applying the Orton technique, and adding a painterly quality. I also like to explore ways to present photographs as a final product, such as through diptychs, triptychs, and multiple images.   

Overall, fall is a fantastic time for photography, offering a wealth of opportunities to capture the beauty of nature in transition. By timing your outings carefully, embracing the colors and light of the season, and experimenting with different perspectives, you can create stunning fall photos that showcase the magic of this special time of year. Look for more fall photos in the Gallery section.