How to Photograph the Beauty of Autumn: A Comprehensive Guide

Autumn is a truly magical time of year, with its stunning orange landscapes, fantastic fungi, and super sunrises and sunsets. But with the season passing by so quickly, it's important to make the most of it and capture its beauty in stunning photos

In this weeks blog post, we'll explore everything you need to know about photographing autumn, from choosing the right camera gear to finding the perfect subjects. I'll also provide tips for capturing stunning landscapes, fungi, and birds.

​Choosing your camera gear:

Any camera can be used to photograph autumn, but there are a few pieces of gear that can help you get the best results:

• Wide-angle lens: A wide-angle lens is ideal for capturing sweeping landscapes and including multiple elements in your shot.
• Macro lens: A macro lens is essential for close-up photography of fungi, leaves, and other small subjects.
• Telephoto lens: A telephoto lens is useful for photographing birds and other wildlife from a distance.
• Tripod: A tripod is essential for keeping your camera steady and avoiding blurry photos, especially when shooting in low light or using a slow shutter speed.

A telephoto lens and tripod combination is a great combo to use in autumn, especially when photographing fast moving subjects like birds. 

​Choosing your subject:

Autumn offers a wide variety of photographic subjects, from colourful leaves and fungi to stunning landscapes and wildlife. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Leaves: Look for leaves that are a variety of colours and shapes, and that are in good lighting. Experiment with different angles and compositions to create interesting and unique photos.
• Fungi: Fungi can be found in all sorts of places, from forests to meadows. Look for mushrooms that are in good condition and that have interesting colours and textures.
• Landscapes: Autumn landscapes are simply stunning, with their vibrant colours and dramatic skies. Look for scenes with interesting compositions, such as winding roads, rivers, or lakes.
• Wildlife: Autumn is a great time to photograph wildlife, as many animals are preparing for winter. Birds, squirrels, and deer are all common sights during this time of year.

Fungi, such as this Amethyst Deceiver, has to be my all-time favourite autumnal subject! They come in all colours, shapes and sizes. Try and spot some next time you're out in nature before they disappear for another year. 

​Tips for photographing autumn:

Here are a few tips to help you capture stunning autumn photos:

• Use the light to your advantage: The light in autumn is often soft and golden, which can create very beautiful photos. Try to shoot during the golden hour, which is the hour before sunrise and after sunset.
• Experiment with different compositions: Don't be afraid to experiment with different angles and compositions. Try to create interesting and unique photos that capture the beauty of autumn.
• Be patient: Autumn is a beautiful time of year, but it can also be fleeting. Be patient and take your time to find the perfect subjects and compositions.

Dare to experiment: try different viewpoints and settings from the conventional techniques. For example, using an incredibly slow shutter speed of  1/4 second and a tripod to keep steady, I managed to photograph this Fly Agaric sharp against the blurry fast flowing river. Tell me what you think of these photos in the comments below!

Conclusion: 

​Autumn is a truly magical time of year, and with a little planning and effort, you can capture its beauty in stunning photos. So get out there and explore! Make sure to share your findings by tagging @naturewithjacob on your instagram posts! 

I hope this blog post has given you some inspiration for your autumn photography. If you have any questions or tips of your own, please share them in the comments below.

Additional Tip:

• Edit your photos: Once you've taken your photos, be sure to edit them using a photo editing program such as Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop. This will help you to enhance the colours and contrast in your photos, and to remove any unwanted elements.

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Jacob Watson-Howland, often referred to as Nature with Jacob, is a passionate nature photographer/filmmaker, content creator, and writer who is dedicated to sharing the beauty of the natural world with others. Through his stunning photography, captivating videos, weekly newsletter and inspiring stories, Jacob helps people connect with nature and cultivate a sense of well-being.