Tips on Shooting the Season of Autumn

Autumn is such a picturesque season that everywhere you look the scenery seems to be a great photo opportunity. The leaves of trees, which are lush and green during summer, soon change into a brilliant array of warm colors, from lemon yellow to intense orange, to dark red. During this span of time, it is best to take your camera with you wherever you go as you are bound to see something worth shooting.

Here are some effective tips to capturing the essence of autumn in your photos:

Shoot the trees in all their colorful glory – autumn can transform ordinary looking trees into breathtaking and vivid foliage. Whenever you are out in the park, woods, fields, or even just your garden, try to capture the trees as they turn color. You can shoot just the gorgeous trees or you can also add a point of interest such as a stream, a bench, or a human figure in the foreground.

Photo by msn678

Focus on the leaves – the leaves are what give color to the trees and when fall arrives, these change colors until they fall to the ground. Aside from taking landscape shots of rows of trees, step up close to individual leaves for some fantastic autumn images. Leaves are already interesting with their shapes and textures, and with the added blending of colors, they can look extraordinary. You can also use your camera’s macro mode if it has one, and see how close you can get in capturing the leaf’s fine details.

Photo by suneko

Capture the mood of autumn – this season seems to evoke feelings of melancholy, and an aura of mystery and eeriness. Perhaps it is because the days are shorter and dusk arrives before we know it, or it could be the leaves that are falling fast from trees, leaving them barren and desolate. Add mood and drama to your shots, such as by shooting at twilight or by capturing a foggy scene as with this shot:

Photo by mangloard

For low-light conditions, remember to adjust your camera settings accordingly and bring the necessary photo accessories. If you are using a slow shutter speed to capture more light, remember to keep your camera steady with a tripod or place it on a flat and secure surface.

Include yourself in the shot – who says autumn photos have to be all about trees and leaves? Why not take some shots of yourself in the scene using the camera’s timer. You can also take pictures of your family and friends as they are enjoying the balmy autumn air. Even a partial portrait of yourself on a leaf-covered ground can be an eye-catching photo as with this example:

Photo by greencandy8888

Shoot autumn holidays – Thanksgiving and Halloween are two major holidays that occur during autumn. Warm fall colors are the standard motif for decorations, and fall harvest items, such as pumpkins can be found mingling with the spooky décor or Thanksgiving feast. Take loads of pictures during these times, from food shots of the holiday meal to portraits of your family and friends around you in celebration. Not only will you be shooting great autumn photos, but you will also be recording cherished memories.

Photo by CarbonNYC