How to Photograph Autumn Color
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It's the Leaves, not their Fall.
Plus: Fall Color FAQs.
By NYIP Director Chuck DeLaneyThere is perhaps, no more pleasant outdoor photography adventure than the pursuit of the colors of autumn. Let's modify that – certainly no more solitary outdoor photography adventure exists. Frolicking in the woods with a model or two might strike some as even more pleasant.
Simply put, autumn photography is both pleasant and easy.
There are three main reasons for this.
First and foremost, you're outdoors during one of the absolutely finest seasons of the year. As the long, languid days of summer start to wane, the humid, sometimes foggy mornings of August and early September gently give way to the crisp, clear, low humidity days of fall. Even if you don't record a single image, you will be the beneficiary of a marvelous day out of doors.
Third, and perhaps best, there will always be the one that got away. If this seems overly philosophical, you simply haven't taken enough photographs. When your files are filled with fireworks, and you have pictures aplenty of your nieces and nephews, there's always room for more fall color. The shifting combinations of color and weather never cease to amaze.
With regard to the last point, the subject matter is more than just "fall color."
It would be more accurate to describe it as the departure of one season's leaves in preparation for those of the next. I'm glad to remind you that there are a few feisty trees – some oaks and a few others – that refuse to yield to the inevitable onslaught of winter. They keep their leaves affixed through fall storms and winter's ravages, only dropping last year's withered brown or tan leaves when the buds of the new growth finally push their predecessors off the tree in early spring.
Words used in both the Land Before Time animated dinosaur adventure series that captivated (me and) my daughter and Disney's Lion King, "it's all part of the great circle of life," an apt and well-turned phrase. We might say the circle starts in the spring when the new leaves appear.
Fall Color Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the exhibition last?
Depends on the weather.How good does the show get?
Depends on the weather.Why can't we improve on that uncertainty?
Sorry, our digital world can perform a lot of miracles, but computers still can't make airplanes land in deep fog, or make fall any more vivid than Mother Nature and weather conditions will allow.Why is that?
Well, first of all, it depends on the onset of cold weather in relation to the colors of different trees. In the northeast, the color starts with the aspens and birches, then spreads to the maples. Finally, and it's always a breath-taking wait to see how soon, the oaks take their turn center stage.In a good season, the oaks light up in rich reds and yellows. Some years they don't. Instead, they go straight from green, to brown, to on the ground.
In a better season, the oaks light up while the maple, birch, aspen and hickory leaves are still lingering on the trees.
In the very best of all seasons, it all happens right on schedule, in front of your face and you get a day or two to get out there with your camera to try your hand capturing the best of fall color.
That's enough of the philosophical questions. Let's turn to the basics:
Where can I photograph fall color?
While New England is billed as the epicenter of fall color, that's as much a credit to the tourism industry of these states than it is to reality. It usually starts in New England, but there are great displays in New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, as well as Mid-Atlantic States such as Virginia, Tennessee and West Virginia. Hardwood forest stands across the Midwest yield plenty of opportunities, as do the mountains of the West: the Sierras, Rockies and the peaks of Utah. Northern California and the Pacific Northwest also have displays that can yield marvelous photographs.In short, there are lots of opportunities.
In fact, the best place to photograph fall color is probably the place that is most accessible to you. It's better to be able to come back to a scene from time to time so you can take pictures while the color emerges, and take advantage of different times of day and lighting conditions.
Why does fall color happen? Can we review the scientific details?
It's chlorophyll in the cells of leaves that absorbs energy from sunlight and makes photosynthesis occur. Chlorophyll is also what gives leaves their green coloration. During the summer, trees make more glucose than they use, so some is stored for the winter. When fall approaches, the production of glucose slows and then stops. Moisture stops flowing into the leaves, and the chlorophyll breaks down.
When the green of the chlorophyll disappears, we see the other colors caused by various pigments – carotene (orange), xanthophyll (yellow), and anthocyanin (red and purple). These are all common pigments found in plants, such as beets and apples, as well as flowers.
When is the best time of day to photograph fall color?
Early morning may bring fog or mist that will provide a soft background, along with long shadows. The rich golden light just before sunset transforms not only leaves on trees, but those on the ground as well.
However, there are also opportunities mid-day. With the sun overhead, you can use backlighting to make leaves glow in your photographs, as in the photo above. Notice how the warm late afternoon light, coupled with the long shadows turns this field into a rich pattern of color.
What is the best lighting and weather for fall color?
Once again, it really doesn't matter what kind of lighting you encounter. Each type of lighting offers different opportunities. If it's sunny, you get the benefit of blue sky and strong light and shadow. However, when the sky is overcast or when clouds obscure the sun, you get the benefit of enhancing the colors of the leaves relative to the rest of the surroundings.In addition, once leaves start to fall out of the trees, many trees, particularly maples, will start to have a threadbare look. This starts at the top of the tree, and while you may not notice it when you gaze at that bright crimson color, it will show up in your photograph.
Is it a good idea to use filters when taking pictures of fall colors?
Some photographers use a polarizing filter when photographing scenics for two principal reasons – to darken and enrich the blue of the sky, and to cut the glare on water. The latter can be particularly helpful if you're trying to show the reflection of fall color in the water.There are special filters called enhancing filters, or intensifying filters, that can enrich reds and yellows. These can be quite costly, and are not really necessary in most instances. Rely on your own eye to find good lighting situations and color combinations. None of the photographs that appear in this article were taken using filters.
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