Photography Sharing: 5 Tips for Autumn Red Leaf Photography

In autumn, nature is full of orange, red and yellow. This season offers endless possibilities for capturing natural beauty. If you can’t wait to pick up your camera and try photographing fall foliage this year, here are five advanced techniques that will help you truly capture the magic of fall.

1.Try using shallow depth of field to take dreamy photos

Want to make a single subject, like leaves or trees, the star of your photo? First, pick up a camera or lens with a wide aperture: f/1.8 or f/2.8. Then, blur the background to get a dreamy bokeh. A shallow depth of field isolates the subject and highlights every detail. It feels both intimate and cinematic!

2.Backlighting is key to making leaves shine

Angle your photo so the sun is behind the leaves. You’ll be amazed at how this can make the leaves appear to glow from within. For best results, try this technique during the golden hour when the light is soft and warm. The sun will filter through the leaves, casting a dazzling glow that will give your photo an almost magical quality. And if you want to add a little lens flare? Even better.

Autumn allows for dreamy photos

3.Use a slow shutter speed

There is beauty in motion! Leaves blowing in the wind are a great subject for long exposures. First, place your camera on a tripod. Then, lower your shutter speed to 1/10th of a second or slower. Finally, watch how the camera incorporates the motion into the shot. You will find it beautiful!

If you’re photographing falling leaves, this effect can add a soft, dreamy blur that makes it feel like time itself is slowing down. If you find a babbling creek lined with trees, a long exposure can make the water look silky smooth while the fall colors remain vibrant.

Slow shutter speeds are also beautiful

4.Use a polarizing filter to reduce glare and enhance colors

For many people, polarizing filters are magic. They reduce unwanted glare from wet leaves, making colors appear richer and more vibrant. If you’ve been photographing wet leaves but sometimes they look washed out, this is the solution.

A polarizing filter is also very useful if you’re taking photos near water. It removes glare from the water’s surface, allowing you to capture reflections and details with great clarity. Plus, it’s an easy way to enhance blues and greens, too!

Capturing autumn wildlife for more amazing photos

5.Capture autumn wildlife to add more character

No fall photo album would be complete without a few photos of wildlife enjoying the season as much as we do. Birds, squirrels, even deer – these animals add life to the scene.

If you are lucky enough to see a squirrel munching on an acorn, carry a telephoto lens with you and photograph it from an appropriate distance.