How to Take Fall Photographs

There are some truly beautiful and stunning photographs taken during the fall. Everywhere you turn is an opportunity to capture the moment and turn it into an outstanding picture. You would be surprised at how moving a simple landscape can be.

Instructions

1. Look up. Some beautiful shots can be taken when you are standing on the ground and looking up into the trees as a change of view from looking right at them. One great option is to take a picture of just the branches and leaves. Another option is to stand at the base of a tree, pressed against it, aim up with a portion of the tree in your picture as well as the leaves. The contrast from the brightly colored leaves and the dark tree can make for an interesting photo.

2. Don’t look at leaves falling as an interruption in your picture. Leaves falling off of the trees is part of the season and to capture it can make a picture look natural and unplanned. It’s accidental beauty.

3. Consider taking black and white photos. Fall photos don’t just have to be in bright, bold colors. A simple black and white photograph can capture the season and highlight the changing landscape beautifully.

4. Capture falling leaves in water. Have your camera poised and as you see a leaf falling toward the water, follow it. When it lands take the picture. The bright color of the leaf, the ripples in the water around it and the color of the water itself can make for a unique picture.

5. Visit a pumpkin patch. Don’t worry about picking up the pumpkins and having them standing straight up, cleaned off with no leaves around them. Pumpkins scream Fall and they should be photographed natural, which means they have dirt on them, leaves all around them and one or two knocked over. The bright orange pumpkins blends perfectly with the leaves.

6. Don’t forget taking pictures of the apples. If you go apple picking, take the time to photograph the bucket full of apples before you empty them out. Not only will the colors and textures of the apples show up beautifully, but you will create a nice captured memory.

7. Adjust your camera's position to capture light. To get a picture of direct light, such as light shining through the trees, don't hesitate to slightly shift the camera's position. You can still get the strong light, but your picture won't look so washed out.

8. Make sure that your flash is off. It can cause your picture to look too bright and take away from the true natural beauty. Have your camera poised and ready as wind can create seconds worth of a perfect photograph.

9. Have your camera focused and ready. You never know when a shot will come and go in a minute, especially if the clouds are moving quickly and you have gorgeous shading for a split second. The lighting won't wait for you to get your camera set.

10. When photographing at night and shooting light, such as a pile of leaves under a lamppost, leave your flash off. The light from the lamp will prove sufficient.

Tips & Warnings

• Take a walk around and different times of the day if you’re looking to take pictures. The landscape is constantly changing, especially because of the brightness and shadowing created by the sun and the clouds. You can get a fabulous shot first thing in the morning just like you can late at night.

• Don’t worry about being so picky and deleting the pictures off your camera right after you take them. Some of the best pictures look so-so on the small window of the camera, but you can find something interesting when it’s shown large on your computer screen.