As the seasons change, many parts of the world experience an explosion of color. Canada is one of the best for fall foliage, but there are plenty of places in the US to witness nature's artwork as well. No matter where a person's vantage point is to witness all of the golden hues of autumn, there's no denying that when it comes to fall, everyone becomes their own favorite photographer. Thanks to social media, there's no shortage of accounts from which to take in the beautiful shades that come to life among the treetops.
So, what's the trick to taking such insta-worthy photos? Knowing how to take them, when to go, and what angles to use in order to capture the most enchanting shots. And it's not just a social media trend that has made autumn such a dreamy season - according to Constrastly, there are many professional photographers who also consider the season to be the most photogenic. Since it's magic is often gone as soon as it appears, these are the best techniques and tactics to use in order to capture the most artistic shots of the season.
Lighting Is Everything, Regardless Of The Camera You're Using
Even if the only camera a person is armed with is an iPhone, that doesn't mean capturing photos can't be just as magical as a high-end camera. The trick is to incorporate lighting and decide which type of photo a person is aiming for. The easiest lighting to find and use is natural sunlight which means setting out on a sunny day for some bold and beautiful shots. Sunlight will only enhance and reveal the natural color of the leaves and when standing under a tree that's changing, sunlight can make for an interesting effect on each leaf.
Golden hour, however, is perhaps the most enchanting when it comes to capturing autumn's warm hues. Many think that the golden hour only occurs one time of the day, at sunset, but it actually happens twice.
Just after the sun rises is the first time golden hour will appear and right before sunset is the second - catching the sun's first rays is a solid bet because if it takes some time to get into the groove, dealing with more sunlight is better than losing light at the end of the day.
Take The Natural Environment Into Consideration And Use It
With that being said, don't be afraid to get out there in inclement weather (safety permitting!) as well. Just after a rainfall, in the early morning when frost begins covering the ground, or on days when it's foggy or misty out can all become pure magic behind the camera lens.
The reflective and distortive nature of rain can make for interesting and intricate photos, while something such as fog or mist can add depth and an air of mystery to late-autumn photographs. Frost adds an icy edge to photos and a vibrant leaf encased in a fresh layer of ice can be evocative of both fall and the impending winter.
Take The Time To Scout Out The Ideal Location
Location is almost as important as knowing when to take the shot. Many people believe that a spot with a view is the only option when it comes to fall photos but you don't need to climb a mountain summit to photograph the array of color below. In fact, the road less taken is sometimes better when it comes to capturing a season that many are also photographing.
A place as simple as your backyard or a nearby park is just as mesmerizing as any summit or overlook because when it comes time to upload the photos, it's a new and interesting place that no one has seen before. Rather than head to the destination of the most-viewed foliage, stay close to home and photograph what makes you happy and the first signs of fall that you witness.
Focal Points, Motion, And Natural Elements Can Enhance Photos
Classically, a focal point is a point of interest in the photo and the direction in which the eye naturally goes upon first looking at a photo. For autumn photography, this can be a grove of trees or a single leaf, but it can be challenging to find one focal point when so many trees offer so many unique colors.
So, rather than having a focal point, the elements can also play a role in photo-taking. Head out on a windy day and capture some bold leaves as they blow across the camera lens. Head to a river or lake and capture the reflection of trees over the water. Anything that adds interest to photos in a natural way is something that will set them apart from the rest.