Photographing the bountiful autumn!

Today, I'm offering you a little mix of inspiration, creativity and technique for photographing autumn.

Autumn is a magical season for photographers. With its flamboyant colours, golden light and gentle atmosphere, autumn offers the perfect colour palette for captivating photos. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned photographer, here are some technical and creative tips to help you make the most of this season.

1. Finding the right moment and the right light

As with most seasons, thehe morning and evening are the best times to photograph autumn. The soft, golden light of dawn and dusk brings out the vivid colours of the leaves. Try to plan your photo sessions during golden hourThis warm light creates soft shadows, making the images warmer and more inviting. This warm light creates soft shadows, making the images warmer and more inviting.

  • Tip Use a photography app to find out the exact golden hour at your capture location and plan your session. To organise this, even well in advance, I use Photopills application on my smartphone which is simply brilliant.

2. Playing with depth of field for artistic effects

Playing with depth of field is an excellent way to isolate details such as a colourful leaf or autumnal berries. By using a wide aperture (f/2.8 or f/4), you can create a beautiful background blur or bokeh effect, which makes your main subject more distinct with a greater 3D effect and gives your photo an artistic touch.

  • Tip If you have a lens with a wide aperture, don't be afraid to experiment! Try varying angles and distances to capture the unique details of nature in autumn. Personally, I use a good old macro lens, the Tamron 90mm f/2.8 which offers great openness and excellent value for money.

3. Incorporate reflections and shadows for added depth

Autumn is a season when the soil is often damp, which means you can play with the colours and colours of the plants. reflections in puddles, for example. Reflections can add a new dimension to your photos, creating unique compositions.and increase the effect of depth. The shadows of the trees and leaves can also add a dramatic touch and accentuate the autumnal atmosphere.

  • Tip For successful reflections, position yourself close to the water and use a shallow depth of field to create a mirror effect. You can even enhance the mirror effect by extending the exposure time, or really do a long exposure. Try also to incorporate the 'graphics' of the elongated morning or afternoon shadows to add depth.

4. Capturing the details: leaves, berries and mushrooms

Bugs in autumn
Autumn bug

Autumn is the perfect time to capture small details that make this season so rich. Look out for fallen leaves, red berries and emerging mushrooms. A macro lens is ideal for photographing these elements up close, but even without such equipment, you can capture interesting details simply by getting up close to your subject.

  • Tip Place the leaves or berries in the centre of the composition, and use a blurred background to draw the eye to the details. Earlier, I said use a macro lens, but you can use either your smartphone or a compact camera, both of which are capable of very close focusing. With a little practice you'll get some great shots 🥳.

5. Exploring the colours of autumn

The warm colours of autumn are the main subject of your photos. To accentuate these hues, you may want to adjust the white balance on your camera to obtain warmer tones. What's more, in post-processing, play with white balancethe saturation and the vibrance to intensify reds, oranges and yellows without overdoing it. Raw processing software now allows us to select only the desired colour range, which in this situation is extremely practical.

  • Tip If you prefer a more natural rendering, take care not to increase saturation too much. Instead, use the vibrance tool, TSL or, better still, adjust colours by patches. A slight adjustment may be enough to accentuate the colours while maintaining a realistic effect.

6. Using creative compositions to tell a story

Autumn offers varied landscapes rich in detail. By adding perspective and by playing with composition, you can tell a story with your images. Try incorporating forest paths, fallen leaves in the foreground or even objects such as a book, a mug, a pocket knife from a picnic... for a warm touch. In short, create your own little story.

  • Tip Use the rule of thirds to place your main elements, and don't be afraid to try overhead or low-angle shots for dramatic effect. ( while including reflections 😜)

7. Capturing the atmosphere of mist and fog

The autumn mornings are often marked by the mist and the fogwhich add a mysterious charm to your photos. These weather conditions are ideal for poetic shots, creating a subtle contrast with the bright colours of the season. Exploit this gentle atmosphere to capture evanescent scenes. Simple meadows become paintings!

  • Tip If the light is poor, don't hesitate to increase the ISO on your camera slightly, or use your tripod. In post-processing, you can enhance the hazy effect by adjusting the shadows and contrast to accentuate the atmosphere.

8. Photograph in autumn, but protect your equipment

Autumn can be unpredictable, with sudden showers and wet ground. Remember to protect your equipment using waterproof covers for your equipment and wearing suitable clothing. Good preparation allows you to stay focused on the creative process and capture beautiful autumn shots without the hassle. Humidity makes it feel much colder.

  • Tip Take a microfibre cloth with you to wipe the lens if it gets wet. This will prevent droplets and keep your photos sharp.

9. Conclusion: Unleash your creativity to photograph autumn

Autumn is an inspiring season, full of colour and atmosphere, ideal for expressing your creativity in photography. With these tips, I hope to provide you with some additional keys to capturing the beauty of this unique season.

Don't forget to take your time, observe the details and make the most of every moment to immortalise the magical moments of autumn. Whether you're in a forest, by a lake or in an urban park, each place has its own charm and secrets to reveal, but you should always get up early 😜!

So get out your camera, have some fun and be inspired by the golden hues of autumn! And share your experience in the comments below,

See you soon, always in photos,

David

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