by David Simchock

It’s that time of year again.. Time to don the hiking boots, grab the Nikon, and capture the beauty of the fall leaf season. Of course, it helps to live in a place like Western North Carolina where the peak colors span a full month depending on elevation. It also helps if you understand all of the nuances of autumn shooting, and the techniques required to optimize your creative efforts.

1. Color Contrast

Sure, the views from the Blue Ridge Parkway are awe-inspiring any time of year, but have you ever tried to photograph one of the many roadside vistas in the spring or summer months when there is only one dominant color in the foliage (i.e., green)? Visit the same place in the peak colors of autumn and it becomes difficult to take a bad shot. Reds. Oranges. Yellows. And, yes, (ever) greens. Color contrast: This is what makes autumn such a special time of year for photography!

2. Morning / Evening Light

In order to maximize the brilliance of the fall colors, it is usually best to shoot in the morning hours and evening hours. This holds true any time of year, but is of particular importance in the fall when the magic light makes the magic colors more.. well.. magical!

3. Using Filters

In the digital age, gone are the days where one needs accessories like specialty filters. But, if there is one filter that all photographers should still have in their bags, it’s a polarizing filter. Why? Because true polarization is something that cannot be replicated digitally. A polarizing filter can be a great way to deepen color saturation and/or remove glare from shiny leaves.

4. Lens Selection

Chances are, you are carrying at least one zoom lens in your bag — one that ranges from wide-angle to telephoto. The leaf season is a better time than any to get the most out of the focal length range on your zoom lens. While there is often a tendency to “go wide” to include a myriad of elements in the frame, one should never forget the other end of the spectrum: go tight. That may call for zooming in on part of a scene, or getting physically closer to the subject (or both).

5. Understand Exposure

Finally, like any other time of year, if you want to take your photography to higher levels, it is absolutely essential that you understand exposure: 1) aperture; 2) shutter speed; 3) ISO. And, don’t forget about your light meter — the brains behind your exposure.

Looking for more insight? Check out the “Got f-Stop?” photo blog at www.gotfstop.com

David Simchock is a professional photographer and instructor based in Asheville’s River Arts District. For more about David, including his popular Vagabond Vistas Photo Tours, visit www.DijonCreative.com.