Autumn colours

The turning of the year from summer to Autumn (or Fall) offers the most astonishing range of colours. It is an opportunity that any photographer should not miss. Even on the dullest of days a brightness can break through.

It is certainly one of my favourite times of years to photograph. I have been capturing its colours and details for many years. Here are five ideas that I try to do when photographing in the autumn (plus a bonus idea).

Boost the colours

This is the only technical piece of information I am going to include! Use a polarising filter to boost the autumn colours. It fits in front of your lens and darkens the sky to increase contrast, reduces glare on wet surfaces like leaves making them look more colourful. It usually rotates so you can see the effect as you turn it.

Select your subject

It is easy to get overwhelmed by the colours around you, above your head and underfoot. Take a moment to look carefully, select your subject and compose your photograph. If you see a carpet of fallen leaves in a forest perhaps focus in one of them and make that your image. Or in this photograph I contrasted the red leaves on the forest floor with the white branch covered in green lichen hanging over it.

Colour the city

If you live in a city and can’t get out to a forest in the countryside, don’t feel left out. Most of my photographs of autumn are taken of street trees as they turn. And take a look down; there are other details you can capture as well once the leaves have fallen to the ground, contrasting with the street markings.

Play

Do you remember when you would run through the fallen leaves, kicking them into the air? Why not try it again, this time with your camera? It will take several goes but you can create great abstract shots of blurred leaves. And it is still great fun!

Capture something different

Autumn can be an obvious time of year to photograph but be on the look out for something different that still tells the story of the season. I captured this collection of plastic grey bags full of leaves swept up by council workers. One of them had split so I could see the autumn colours poking out of the dull grey, creating a lovely contrast.

Bonus idea – practice your still life photography

Here’s an extra idea. Autumn is the time for gathering in the harvest. Why not collect some leaves, nuts and berries and try your hand at still life photography? More to follow…

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I do hope this is helpful. If you would like to see more of my autumn photographs head over to my gallery here. I’d love to see your photographs too. If you share them Instagram tag @stephentaylorphotography so I can see them. And if you have any other tips for photographing in autumn, please add them in the comments.