How to Photograph Fall Colors
- 1). Take a close-up of fallen leaves on the forest floor. Trying to catch the whole display at once might be too much, so it is better to look for the small changes that occur during the fall season. A picture of freshly fallen leaves in subdued light can take on an intensity of color that is totally unexpected. Also take notice that some ground plants put on their own little fall display that is often overlooked.
- 2). Point your camera straight up towards the sky when you're under a tree. Do this on a bright, sunny day and you will find that the blue sky makes a very colorful background that contrasts sharply with the reds and yellows of the trees.
- 3). Photograph small branches and solitary boughs that arch out from the large hardwoods. Just a simple picture of a single branch of colorful leaves can be the most informative. Look for splashes of filtered sunlight that land on these branches as the light travels to the forest floor.
- 4). Take a picture of an individual leaf, while it is still attached to the tree. Search out unique lighting conditions that spotlight the leaf against a very dark background. Even a group of several leaves will work here, but avoid the situation where you are trying to capture the color of the entire forest in one picture frame.
- 5). Seek out a stream, pond or lake to take a picture of the fall colors as they are reflected in the water. This is a particularly rich area for exploration. You can get close to the watery reflections and work at producing a totally abstract image or you can step back and let the fall reflections become a vital part of a larger landscape composition.
- 6). Work within the framework of a landscape photograph. The only difference is now the leaves are gold and red instead of green. Go back to the same places that you photographed in the spring and summer and reshoot the picture with the natural added color. Don’t forget the basics of making a good landscape picture.
- 7). (optional)Use your macro lens, if you have one. A close-up of a fall leaf can turn into a very lively image. With a macro lens, every little crack and vein becomes a major compositional element.
Source...