Tips for Photographing Fall Foliage

Oranges, reds, and yellows adorn the brightly colored trees, and when you only have a short time to enjoy the fall season, you want to take a moment to capture the beauty. Before you set out with your camera in hand, check out these tips for photographing that unique fall foliage:

• Lighting: Whether you call it “Golden Light” or the “Magic Light Hour,” you can count on a great image when you are shooting at sunrise or sunset. The angle of the sun creates a soft, warm light and “enhances the warm tones of the fall colors,” according to photographer Ron Bigelow.  This is particularly true when shooting the fall colors surrounding nearby Garden of the Gods‘ red rocks; everything truly glows at sunrise.
  

  Fall Lighting
  (photo courtesy of Ron Bigelow)

• Weather: Use the weather to your advantage. A cloudy, overcast day does not mean you have to stay inside. Some of the best pictures use the natural mist, fog, or frost to capture the essence of the season. Photoargus writer Christopher O’Donnell claims that surprise weather can “add a bit of autumn authenticity.”
  

  Forest Flames
  (photo courtesy of Lida Rose)

• Creativity: Think small. Think big. Focus on just one leaf or zoom out to see the entire landscape. While the colors unique to fall are usually the center of photographs, Bigelow suggests using all the colors. “In essence, a knowledgeable photographer will use fall color as one component to enhance an already strong image rather than rely solely on the color to create impact.” He recommends testing the picture by converting it to black and white. If it still is dramatic, you’ve got a great image!
  

  First Fall
  (photo courtesy of Christopher O’Donnell)

Looking for a destination to test out your photography skills? Check out these three hikes near Colorado Springs. And remember: you can find a great photograph in any weather at any time of day–just be creative!