3 Easy Smartphone Photography Tips for Capturing Fall Colors
Fall colors are here, and it's time to get outside and photograph all the beautiful hues of autumn. Here are three quick tips for capturing your best autumn photos. Better hurry, though, fall will be over before you know it!
Use The Fall Weather To Your Advantage
Autumn brings not only a cooler climate but wet weather as well. This type of weather tends to lead toward excellent photography conditions. Get up for an early morning hike, and hope to catch some fog. Photographing near rivers, streams, or lakes will increase your chances of capturing the early morning mist and highlight the fall colors.
Cloudy skies are ideal for capturing fall scenes, especially waterfall or flowing river shots.
Overcast skies distribute light more evenly and reduce the sharp contrast between lighter and darker areas.
Plus, moving water allows for creating silky motion blur using your smartphone's long exposure settings.
A little bit of drizzle or rain is even more beneficial! Wet conditions aid in heightening the vibrant fall colors.
But let's not discount sunny weather. Many people love seeing the bold colors of fall against a bright blue sky. For me, I like to photograph colorful fall foliage beneath the dazzling blue sky.
Use The Zoom Feature On Your Smartphone For Close-Up Fall Color Photos
Besides taking photos of the grand landscape before me, I like to photograph close-up nature scenes that tell a narrative of the seasons' changing. The zoom feature on your smartphone is perfect for getting close to the small details within the landscape.
I sometimes gather colorful fallen leaves, then arrange them for close-up shots on the forest floor.
Capture Autumn Colors Reflected In Water
Reflection shots are always a big hit with people. And to capture these lovely photos, they are best taken on a windless sunny day, during the early morning or late evening.
The lake or pond should be in the shade to reduce glare and create a mirror reflection of the fall foliage colors.
Look for things to add visual interest to the reflection, such as bridges, grasses, logs, or rocks.
Bonus Tip For Capture Fall Colors - Aim Upward
Look upward for a compelling new perspective to capture autumn colors. On a bright sunny day, aim your camera up and use the wide-angle lens to catch the fall foliage against a blue sky. The wide-angle view renders the tree trunks as converging diagonal lines. And will lead your viewer's eyes into the composition.
Where To Find Peak Fall Colors In Your Area
Online resources have made it easy and more accessible to chase peak foliage. Many websites are dedicated to reporting fall color and allowing you to gauge the color progression to determine where and when to get the best autumn hues.
smokymountains.com Fall Foliage Map
One of my favorite sites to use is SmokyMountains.com Fall Foliage Prediction Map. It allows you to utilize a slider to view when and where to find peak fall colors near you.
Wrapping Up
The fall season offers a dazzling array of textures and colors to photograph. Plus, with cooler temperatures going out for a hike is a pleasant way to spend the day. With a little creativity, you can capture amazing photographs in just a short amount of time.
Whether you're using your smartphone or a DSLR camera, applying these quick tips can dramatically change the feel of your photos. Have fun getting out on the trails and photographing your surroundings. And most importantly, take your time, appreciate the journey, and enjoy creating those memories.
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