'Fall'ing into Colour

by Editor Kimberly
Edited and published by Yvette Depaepe, the 25^th of October 2024

'Fall' by Katarina Holmström

Fall is one of the most beautiful times of the year to capture nature's vibrant transformation. The rich tapestry of reds, oranges, yellows, and golds provides a perfect backdrop for stunning photography. Add a little colour to your world before winter with images of autumn leaves, foggy mornings, reflections in still waters, pumpkin patches and other seasonal harvests. Portraits of wildlife, pets and people are enriched with a backdrop of rich autumn colours and soft light.

'Forest' by Amador Funes'

The window for peak fall colours is short, so plan ahead. Research when leaves in your region are at their brightest, usually between late September and early November, depending on your location. Early mornings and late afternoons are ideal for shooting because the soft, golden light enhances the warm hues of fall.

'Castle in autumn leaves' by Ryota Kawaguchi

A polarizing filter is an excellent tool for fall photography. It reduces glare from water, leaves, and sky while boosting the contrast and colour saturation. This can make the reds and oranges pop more vibrantly and deepen the blue of the sky, creating dramatic, eye-catching images.

'The Morning of Wadge Pond' by Yongnan Li

Bodies of water, such as lakes or rivers, can offer a stunning reflection of autumn trees, doubling the impact of the fall colours. Try to capture the stillness of the water to create a mirror effect, or experiment with slight ripples to add an abstract quality to your image.

'autumn colours' by Hilda van der Lee

One way to add a magical glow to your fall photos is to shoot with the sun behind the leaves. The sunlight filtering through the foliage can illuminate the leaves from behind, creating a luminous, almost ethereal effect. Try different angles and positions to highlight the backlit colours without overexposing the image.

'Baby Orpheus' by Dorte Irene Sattrup Lund-Nielsen

Look for opportunities to frame your subject. Trees and leaves can naturally create frames around mountains, rivers, or even people. By using the colourful foliage as a frame, you can guide the viewer's eye to the main subject of your photo, while keeping the autumn theme strong.

'morning glow' by Kenichi Higashiyama

Incorporate contrasting elements into your fall photos to make the colours stand out. Bright red and orange leaves against a deep blue sky, for instance, can create a vibrant, eye-catching image. Look for contrasting textures too, such as soft leaves against rugged rocks or smooth water surfaces.

'One Autumn' by Shihya Kowatari

While wide landscapes are stunning in fall, don't forget the beauty of details. Zoom in on individual leaves, clusters of foliage, or other small elements like acorns, mushrooms insects or animals. Isolate your subjects and capture intricate textures and colours that are often overlooked.