034 - Capturing Fantastic Fall Photos

The air is starting to chill here in Calgary; we've got single-digit temperatures and later sunrises, which can only mean one thing. Fall is here. As it is throughout large parts of North America, which means it's time to get out and capture some of that fantastic fall foliage, those changing colours and misty mornings. I love photographing things in the fall (let's be honest, I love photographing almost everything except maybe a sunny day at high noon.) The colours are unique, and we get spectacular sunsets.

But it can be a challenge to capture stunning fall images. There is so much beauty that it can almost be overwhelming, and we can end up with unfocused photos that don't truly show off the beauty that we're seeing in person. So today, I'm going to offer you my 8 tips for creating great pictures in the fall.

Before we get into the first tip, a small caveat. We aren't going to talk about the techniques that generally help create more compelling images, things like the exposure triangle, composition, or capturing landscape photos. We've covered these topics in other episodes, so you can go and learn all about them there (check out episodes 22 and 12 for more on these topics).

Tip #1 - Find a Focal Point

I'm putting this one first because I think it's so important to remember. Find a focal point in your fall images. We can get lost in the grandeur and the beauty of all the colours in the fall very easily. This can quickly lead to unfocused photos that are a mess of composition, colours and distractions.

I find it much easier to find a focal point in an image and craft a composition out of this. A favourite of mine is to find a tree that stands out from the others and make it into my subject. This works amazingly well early in the fall as there are always those two or three trees changing colour a bit early, leaving you with a pop of colour amongst a sea of green.

Other focal points can be bridges, pathways, mountains, or actual subjects (human or animal). Having a focal point provides your image with focus and lets the other beautiful colours of fall act as secondary accentuating pieces.

Tip #2 - Shoot in Wet Conditions

It rains quite often in the fall, and wet leaves after a rainfall can be extraordinary. The rain really saturates the world leaving it more colourful. This will help add some pop and depth to your images. To get the most out of this time, use a circular polarizer on your lens. This will reduce reflections and bring out more colour in your images. The light directly after it rains is typically also very flattering. That soft light just makes for beautiful photos. And don't be afraid to get out when it's actually raining as well. Look for rain falling on leaves or creating reflections in puddles. Rainfall on windows is also a fantastic way to craft fall portraits with people inside enjoying hot cocoa or reading a book and looking out past the rain covered window. Once again, get a circular polarizer to help create these images.

Tip #3 - Reflections

Speaking of puddles, fall is a marvellous time for reflection images. Reflection images are usually lovely, but there is something extra special about them in the fall because of the colours. And you can use puddles from the rain to help create some of these reflections. Keep an eye out for reflections not only along rivers and lakes but anywhere where it has been raining. Those little puddles can help to create amazing images. You've just got to be willing to get down in the dirt.

While you are shooting reflections, look for the way light plays with the water. The water's movement with the leaves' colour reflected in it can create some abstract images that can make a different fall photo.

Tip #4 - Details

Landscapes are outstanding in the fall, but so are each of the individual details of this incredible season. Don't forget to include images of individual leaves or a leaf floating in the water. Dewy leaves early in the morning or the ground covered in frost can make for spectacular detail shots as well. Because fall typically has cooler nights and warmer days, we have a good chance of seeing frost early in the mornings, and frost on leaves, fences, grass or just the ground can create beautiful images.

Tip #5 - Morning Mist

In lots of places, fall means misty mornings. And that leaves us with a unique opportunity to capture the blue hour or golden hour through a light mist. If you can get up above the trees, you can look back down and see the mist hanging out throughout the trees, or if you are right down in it, the sun typically causes amazing light rays through the fog. These images of misty mornings are indicative of fall and will help your photos stand out from others for a couple of reasons. Firstly, they aren't as common among people because you have to get up and get going before sunrise. And most people are not getting themselves in gear and to a location early enough to shoot that. Secondly, people are drawn into landscapes that they know but have a different feel to them. Mist over a typical landscape adds an extra element and can help people look in awe at a place they know well.

Tip #6 - Overcast Days

I see a lot of photographers head out only when the day looks perfect. When there is a chance of a fantastic sunset or when it's bright and beautiful out. And that's fine. But my favourite way to shoot the fall is actually when it's overcast out. The clouds act like a natural diffuser on the sun, offering you unique colours and soft light everywhere you go.

Overcast also means the colours in your image aren't trying to compete with bright blues or harsh sunlight, allowing them to dominate more of the image and creating that 'fall feeling.'

Tip #7 - Don't forget the Rest of Fall

Most of what people will focus on in the fall are the leaves and their colours, and with good reason. They are stunning and make for spectacular landscape shots. But don't forget that other elements in the fall can create great images as well. This is the season for squashes (like pumpkins) and other fruits and veggies, meaning lots of great harvest images or landscapes with them in it.

Fall has a 'mood' to it. It's cozy, but you still want to be outdoors. Try to think about what helps to encapsulate this mood of fall, and you can go a long way in creating incredible fall photos. 

Tip #8 - Use a Circular Polarizer

I've mentioned this fabulous device a couple of times already here, but it's so important it gets its own tip. And the last tip. That's how important these filters are. In general, circular polarizers are just a fabulous piece to add to your photography kit. But in the fall, they are even more helpful. Polarizers allow you to cut down on glare and reflections on surfaces like water (helping you create better rain and wet images). They saturate colours in a natural and beautiful way giving you more natural vibrancy in your photographs. And you can get circular polarizers for any camera, from smartphones straight through to high end. You just need to find the one that fits what you are shooting with. So, if you really want to increase your fall photography skills, pick up a circular polarizer.