Photograph the Best of the Fall Season with Variety

Although short-lived, where I'm from, fall is one of my favourite times of the year. Cozy oversized sweaters, apple cider, a carefully crafted apple crisp, the smell of cinnamon and nutmeg and that spicy scent lingering in the air after a marathon day of salsa creation all flood my senses with a warm nostalgic sensation. Since the autumn season spans only a few weeks before those winter snowflakes begin to fall, I like to capture as many images as possible during this short season. So here are a few ways to capture the best of the fall season with variety. 

1. Use a wide-angle lens

Lenses 35mm and wider are considered wide-angle—this focal range permits a photographer to capture a large scene. Wide angles during the fall are fantastic when the goal is to capture a wide-scale view. In addition, wide angles are a popular choice for the landscape photographer because many elements can be incorporated into a landscape scene showcasing all that showy fall colour and mood.   

^{ISO 100, 23mm, f11, 1/13 SS}

2. Use a telephoto

70mm and greater are usually considered telephoto focal lengths. Telephoto lenses bring your subject closer than what you visually observe with your own eyes. Telephoto lenses are fantastic for isolating your subject from other extraneous elements in a scene and can showcase fall elements at their finest. 

^{ISO 400, 150mm, f9, 1/400 SS}

3. Open up your aperture

Many portrait photographers often favour the byproduct of wider aperture use. Buttery bokeh, thin slices of focus and sparkly light are all attributes of wider apertures. However, when using wider apertures, ensure you are still working within your focal plane. Sometimes large apertures can be too thin, resulting in what should be in focus within an image becoming out of focus or only partially in focus. I always recommend using a depth of field calculator should you question the size of your focal plane. On the other hand, embrace the creative blur that comes with wider apertures. This is especially fun to play around with during the fall season. 

^{ISO 200, 200mm, f 2.8, 1/640 SS}

4. Close down and capture the whole scene in focus

Smaller apertures and the fall season go hand in hand. The show that nature puts on this time of year deserves to be in focus. Smaller aperture choices result in larger planes of focus, which will showcase a fall scene in its entire splendour. The fall season makes the landscape photographer in me giddy with excitement.

^{ISO 100, 16mm, f16, 1/25 SS} 

5. Think creatively when capturing photographs

Take a few creative risks this autumn season. Don't be afraid to try a new technique or change your go-to composition. Try shooting through leaves or using light differently. Think about using intentional camera movement. There are many ways in which to infuse creativity into images. It's well worth it to take a few risks! You just might come away with something you love; if not, I can guarantee you've learned something by pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.

^{ISO 640, 95mm, f22, 1.3 SS}

The fall season has arrived, so get out there and have a blast during this short but beautiful season. 

Looking to learn photography in person? Gina Yeo now offers private custom photography workshops in Banff and the Canadian Rockies. Choose your adventure HERE!