While it may be spring here in Australia, it’s autumn in the northern hemisphere - fall, as our American friends call it. As an Aussie kid, it has always baffled me why they call it fall in the US. Of course, it makes sense to me now, and we will learn how to make the most of the fall photographic experience. The long and sweltering summer has finally come to an end. The days are a little easier to bear as the sun’s arc is lower to the horizon. The evenings are cooler, and the breeze brings the promise of cooler days ahead. Fall is the perfect time to take a fresh approach to your photography and kick off the season with fun and creative visual projects. It’s a significant time in the photographic calendar for landscape photographers who make an annual pilgrimage to capture the yellow, orange, and red foliage. However, there’s a lot more to explore during the cozy season that will elevate your photography to new heights. Let’s check out what fall offers everyday photographers like you and me.
Every Shade Of Yellow, Orange, And Red
By far, the most popular photography genre in the fall is landscape. Depending on your climate, early fall brings a wash of yellow, orange, and red foliage to many landscape locations. In some places, local news outlets broadcast a fall foliage forecast - just as they do in cherry blossom season in Japan. If you’re keen to get out and shoot some dramatic fall foliage, research the best local places to visit. Join a photography group heading to a popular landscape spot or go on a road trip with friends. Alternatively, walk in your local neighbourhood, park, or nature reserve to hunt for good light and fall foliage. All too often, tree-lined local streets can put on a fantastic display of fall colours. If heading to a popular fall photography location, be mindful of your impacts on wildlife, local traffic, and the area's residents.
Environmental Fall Portraits
The reds and yellows of fall foliage turn brown as the season proceeds. Falling leaves, cast by the breeze, make a dramatic backdrop to environmental portraits. Fall is a popular time to capture fresh family portraits, including those of children and family pets. Nothing beats cozy images of children playing among piles of autumn leaves while even more leaves fall from above. For a portrait with a difference, have your model lay face-up on the ground with their head on a pile of fallen leaves. Scatter more leaves of every fall colour around their head and hair. Stand above them without blocking the natural light, and photograph down at their face. The resulting portrait will showcase the subject framed by leaves with their hair interlaced in the foliage. It’s a simple approach to a fun portrait project. Fall is also a great time to photograph your pets playing in the backyard, at a local park, or running amongst trees, boulders, and creeks on a mountain trail.
Conduct A Nature Study
Pack your camera if you’re heading to a national park or wildlife reserve this fall. Aside from the stunning landscape opportunities, fall is another excellent time of year to photograph wildlife or conduct a nature study. The change of season and the threat of oncoming winter increase wildlife activity and behaviour. Be sure to research what wildlife you can expect to see and where best to photograph them. If heading into a national park, understand the safety precautions and procedures when encountering dangerous wildlife. If dodging bears isn’t your thing, conduct a photographic nature study. Collect a range of fall leaves, nuts, and seeds and use a macro lens to capture fascinating images. Place each item on a black backdrop or a natural timber workbench and photograph them from varying angles. Use a single light source or conduct your shoot next to a window to make the most of natural light. Document each specimen to highlight the intricacies, details, and natural structures.
Make The Most Of Golden Hour
The sun takes a lower arc across the sky at the end of summer and throughout fall. The day’s light and heat are less intense, and longer shadows form, especially at the beginning and end of the day. Dry, hot summers stir up dust and particles that hang in the atmosphere to create a golden light filter. The falling leaves add to this particle layer. As a result, Golden Hour is more pronounced, and the land is bathed in golden light just after sunrise and before sunset. The golden hour is the best time to capture dramatic sunrises and sunsets, especially at a beach or woodland area. Golden hour is also popular for street photographers to get out on the streets and make the most of the golden light and long shadows. Natural light outdoor portraiture pops during golden hour as the light elevates skin tones.
Let’s Not Forget Spooky Season
As a kid growing up in Australia, we didn’t celebrate Halloween. It’s always felt out of place here, even when I had my own kids and the local neighbourhood held Halloween events. Spring doesn’t suit the Halloween vibe. However, in the USA, Halloween is one of the biggest holidays of the year, and folk go to extreme lengths to celebrate it. Thanks to the cozy vibes and excess of pumpkins, Fall suits Halloween perfectly. Use the opportunity to create spooky, fall-inspired food displays and photograph them in your kitchen. Plate your favourite fall dish on a table with a scattering of fall leaves, pumpkins, candles, and nuts. Set some mood lighting and take the time to practice your food photography approach. Aside from seasonal treats, Halloween is another great time to capture family portraits - especially while everyone is in costume.
Regardless of your preferred photography genre, autumn or fall is an ideal time to take a fresh approach to your craft. A change in season is a signal to try a new photography genre that harnesses all the colour that fall offers. Set yourself some fall photography projects that put your skills to the test. Drop a Lucky Straps shoulder strap on your favourite camera and lens combo to ensure you always have your gear on hand. Above all else, grab your camera whenever you head out the door, as you never know what the fall light may reveal.
