Capture the Beauty of Fall: Tips for Stunning Autumn Landscape Photography with Colorful Foliage and Sunflare
Fall is a season of breathtaking colors, crisp air, and landscapes that transform into vibrant canvases. If you’re passionate about photography, it’s the perfect time to grab your camera, head outdoors, and capture the unique beauty of autumn. From vibrant orange and yellow leaves to the soft golden glow of a fall sunset, these scenes can make your photos truly magical. Here are some tips to make the most of your fall landscape photography, with a focus on capturing those dreamy autumn colors and sunflares that add warmth and sparkle to any image.
1. Plan Your Golden Hour Shots for Glowing Sunflare
Nothing complements the rich hues of autumn quite like the soft, warm light during the golden hours—right after sunrise and just before sunset. To capture beautiful sunflare, position the sun so it’s just peeking through the trees or behind a leaf. This will create a stunning halo effect and add an extra layer of magic to your photos.
Pro Tip:
Experiment with different angles and settings. Shooting in manual mode will give you more control over the exposure, allowing you to balance the light and shadows in a way that emphasizes both the sunflare and the natural colors. I also shoot in RAW, providing an opportunity when processing the photos to pull up any dark shadows for a more balanced image.
One thing I absolutely love about the image above, is the sun flare and the gorgeous chakra colours that pull out of nature. Can you see the additional colours within the sun flare shining down on the forest floor. Just breathtaking!
Camera – Canon R6MII
Lens – Canon RF 24-240mm f4.5-6.3
This is my newest lens in my bag and one I highly recommend as an all-around multi lens. My only warning is it is not weather sealed like the L lenses. However you can definitely feel the quality in this lens in comparison to the 24-105 kit lens that is sold with this camera. This combination is also much lighter than my R6MII and my L lenses which is helpful for my neck and shoulder at this time!
2. Focus on Fall’s Signature Colors
Autumn colors are bold and bright, from fiery reds to rich golds and deep purples. These colors can create striking compositions, especially when juxtaposed against a clear blue sky or a misty, cloudy morning. Whether you’re in a dense forest or open park, look for clusters of colored leaves, solitary trees, or carpeted paths that showcase the season’s full spectrum.
Pro Tip:
To make the colors pop even more, use a polarizing filter on your lens. This helps to reduce glare and bring out the rich tones of the leaves, enhancing the contrast between the sky and foliage. This can also be done in post production, which I honestly prefer with using some of the settings in Lightroom such as dehaze, contrast, clarity, vibrancy and saturation.
3. Make the Most of Water Reflections
Fall landscapes become even more captivating when mirrored in a lake or river. This adds depth and symmetry to your shots, doubling the impact of the fall colors. Early morning is often the best time for capturing reflections since the water tends to be still and calm.
Pro Tip:
Get low to the ground to accentuate the reflection, and include a foreground element—like rocks or fallen leaves—to give your photo a sense of depth and place.
4. Embrace Close-Ups and Details
While wide landscapes are stunning, close-up shots can reveal details you might otherwise miss. Fallen leaves, raindrops on a branch, or sunlight filtering through a single leaf can capture the essence of fall in an intimate way. These small, intricate details provide a different perspective and highlight the textures of the season.
Pro Tip:
Switch to a macro lens if you have one. This lens is designed to capture close-up details with clarity and focus, giving even a single leaf an artistic flair. Macro photography brings into view the smallest details that are breathtaking in life!
Frosty grass and leaves in the morning. Incredible how perspective can change when we move ourselves and look at things in a different way.
Camera – Canon R6MII
Lens – Canon RF 35mm f1.8 Macro
As an intro macro lens, I highly recommend this lens (and the above zoom as a handy on the go set), although this lens doesn’t provide the same bokeh as my L 100mm and 180mm macro lens, this is a phenomenal lens!
5. Play with Shadows and Silhouettes
Autumn light is softer, creating a great opportunity to play with shadows and silhouettes. Look for natural frames like tree branches, leaves, or even people walking through the scene to create depth and contrast. Silhouettes against a colorful sky can evoke the mystery and quiet beauty of fall.
Pro Tip:
Use backlighting to enhance silhouettes and shadows. Position yourself so that the light source (usually the sun) is directly behind your subject. This technique works especially well for sunset shots when the sky is a mix of warm hues.
6. Don’t Forget to Capture the Mood
Each season has its own mood, and fall is often nostalgic, calm, and introspective. Look for elements that reflect this ambiance, like morning fog, quiet trails, and stillness in the air. By capturing not only the colors but also the feeling of fall, you can make your images more impactful and memorable.
Pro Tip:
Look for foggy mornings or cloudy days as well. While sunshine is beautiful, a cloudy or misty scene can add mystery and texture to your shots, making the fall colors stand out even more.
Final Thoughts
Fall landscape photography is all about capturing the fleeting beauty of a season that doesn’t last long. By focusing on vibrant colors, sunflare, and a touch of creativity, you can create images that bring the warmth and beauty of fall to life. So grab your camera, find the perfect spot, and let the colors and light guide your shots. Happy shooting!
This guide will inspire photographers to explore the seasonal beauty and try out new techniques that bring out the charm of fall landscapes. Let me know if you’d like to add anything more specific, such as location suggestions or camera settings!
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