Improving Your Autumn Photographs

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

05 Oct 2007 12:11 PM

Weeks ago my daughter's playgroup set aside the first Tuesday in October to visit a local pumpkin patch. We figured we'd get an early start and go before the school groups descended and the patch was thoroughly picked over. Little did we know that Tuesday would be one of the hottest October days on record. Our little pumpkins were picking pumpkins in 85-degree heat. (In Wisconsin that's virtually unheard of.) Which means I have pictures of my daughter and her friends in shorts and t-shirts covered with sweat. Not exactly my idea of the perfect autumn picture.

For photographers who love color, fall is a glorious time of the year to get outdoors and capture nature at its finest. I had hoped to snap some shots of the kids romping in a pile of colorful leaves, but the heat made everyone wilt and the children spent much of the time cooling off in the barn. In any event, fall provides a plethora of photo opportunities from the grand panoramic shot of a multi-color forest to a single shot of a lonely fallen gold leaf. Whether you are capturing people, objects, or documenting sporting events, a background of fall color will make your images pop.

Backgrounds are an often-overlooked factor with many amateur photographers. I was taught the background of a photo is equally as important as the subject. Think about it; how good will that shot of your child skipping rope really be if the background is so busy you can barely make her out? A great subject shot against a fantastic background will yield a frame worthy shot every time. If you don't have kids, scan the area for wildlife. A picturesque autumnal background will be further enhanced with a squirrel or cardinal in the frame. Try to find an angle where the animal is surrounded with fall color. Or look for a situation where you can have the coloring of the animal accentuate the fall colors. Just be careful how the light on the animal plays against the light on the background.

Related Articles:

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Snapping Frameworthy Shots Of Your Kids

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More Common Sense Tips To Capturing A Frame-Worthy Picture

Common Sense Tips To Capturing Frame-Worthy Pictures

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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