Autmn Leaf Photography Tips And Tricks

Autumn leaf photography is always on the list of things to photograph as the seasons change. Piles of fallen leaves by the road, in the parks and on the streets are just shouting to be photographed. There are some fantastic colours to be captured whether you are shooting macros or landscapes with the leaves still clinging on to the trees. Here, My-Picture.co.uk have put together a couple of hints to help you capture a striking autumn photo. 

Near and Far

As mentioned above, fantastic autumn photos can be achieved close-up or far away, on the trees in the distance. Find a fantastic composition in the woods or of a far away tree line for your photo. To make the leaves stand out, underexposing the image slightly will make the orange colours really pop. This effect can be emphasised if you also have a solid blue sky in the background of your image. 

If you want texture in your photos then macro is the way to go. Lots of patterns and lines can be achieved in macro leaf photos. Look for canopies of leaves that are backlit by the sun to really show their veins and textures. Use a shallow depth of field to keep the focus solely on the leaves and blur out the background. If you want to capture a full frame image of lots of leaves, then a smaller aperture (higher f/number) will help you to keep everything in focus.  

Autumn Reflections

Autumn is also a great time to incorporate water into your images and capture leaves floating on the river or reflections of the trees in still lakes. Frame the images carefully to avoid dead space at the top or bottom. 

You can also experiment with shutter speed, using a slower one to make wavy water still and travelling leaves blurred creating more of an abstract capture. 

Different Mediums

You don't just have to capture autumn with your DSLR or compact - try using a film camera or instant camera to capture some vintage autumn images. Look for a narrative to your image, like desolate branches, avenues of trees and piles of leaves on the floor. Desolate images link to the autumnal feel well. 

Remember, exploring in search for the perfect photo of autumn foliage is an adventure in itself. Invite friends, prepare your adventurer’s bag and enjoy every second the process!