Autumn Photography Tips and Ideas:
How to capture the beauty of autumn
Autumn is a beautiful time of year, offering a wide range of photographic opportunities. From bright yellows and vibrant red tones in the leaves to colourful yet moody landscapes, it’s easy to see why this season is a favourite amongst many photographers.
But how do you do the beauty of autumn justice? And how do you capture those bucket list-worthy autumnal shots?
We’ve asked Lizzie James, Product Specialist at Jessops, for her top tips and photography equipment recommendations to help you capture those stunning autumn scenes with your digital camera.
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Autumn photography tips
Head out at sunrise or sunset
"The first and last hours of sunlight, often called the 'golden hour,' have this incredible quality to the light," says Lizzie. "That soft, golden glow brings the landscape to life – making those beautiful autumn colours pop."
"If you're shooting in the morning, it's even better because it's usually quieter, with fewer people around to disrupt your shot."
"During sunrise and sunset, the soft light really brings out textures, whether it's the intricate details and patterns of leaves or the rough bark on trees. Just remember, if you're experimenting with close-up macro photography, use a smaller aperture (higher f-stop) on your digital camera to keep more of the image in sharp focus, ensuring those fine textures are crisp."
"Golden hour lighting can also create long shadows cast by trees, adding depth and drama to your landscape shots, giving them a sense of dimension and richness.”
"The same goes for cityscapes – the warm light and long shadows cast by buildings create striking contrasts, highlighting the textures of brick, stone, and glass against the backdrop of changing autumnal skies."
Don’t be put off by bad weather
"Although it's easier said than done, don't let bad weather stop you from heading out," says Lizzie. "Autumn has this amazing way of giving you brilliant colours and contrast, even on those grey, overcast days. Bodies of water or woodlands are perfect spots to explore when it's foggy or gloomy."
"When you're out there, look for scenes that really stand out against their surroundings. In wooded areas or parks, the vibrant red and orange leaves create such a striking contrast against a moody grey sky."
"And don't forget about puddles! Reflections in puddles can make for incredible shots – just get down low, use a wide aperture to blur the edges, and focus on the reflection for a unique image."
If you're planning to shoot outdoors regularly, it's smart to invest in some waterproof gear so you're always ready to capture moments, no matter the weather.
Lizzie says: "Many cameras today are splash and moisture-resistant, but for very wet conditions, it's a good idea to use waterproof accessories like camera bags, rain covers, and even a rain sleeve for your lens. Bringing along a small towel is also handy for quickly drying off any water droplets that might splash on your equipment."
Shoot falling leaves
Undoubtedly, one of nature's most beautiful times of year is when the rich, vibrantly coloured leaves start to fall.
Lizzie says: "Some of my favourite things to shoot during this time of year are the leaf-covered canals, streams, and woodland trails. The fallen leaves not only add texture and a pop of colour to your photos, but they can also convey motion."
A windy day is a great time to capture the motion of falling leaves. To do this, Lizzie recommends adjusting your camera's shutter speed: "To freeze the motion of leaves as they flutter through the air, use a fast shutter speed – something around 1/1000 of a second or faster. This will capture the leaves in mid-air, preserving all the sharp details."
"Or, if you want to capture the movement in action and create a soft blur effect, try a slower shutter speed – like 1/30 or slower. This technique creates a sense of motion, as the blur suggests the leaves are sweeping through the air. It's all about experimenting with the speed to get the right balance for the look you want."
Fallen leaves are also a perfect opportunity for seasonal portraits. Find an area in your local park and snap away as your children toss leaves into the air, creating dynamic and playful shots.
And don't forget to take some leaves home! Lizzie suggests: "If you want to experiment with your photography, those red and orange leaves make fantastic autumnal flat-lay props. You can get really creative with how you style them."
Flat-lay photography is when you arrange objects on a flat surface and shoot from above. The vibrant autumn leaves could be combined with seasonal items like pumpkins or acorns, allowing you to create a warm, autumnal scene. It's perfect for experimenting with colours, textures, and lighting, whether for social media, personal projects, or just for fun.
Adjust your white balance
"For those moments when your photos need a little help to capture the mood, it's worth experimenting with your white balance settings," explains Lizzie. "If you're trying to enhance the warm, golden glow of a sunrise or sunset, you'll want to increase the white balance."
"More advanced cameras, like mirrorless and DSLRs, allow you to manually adjust this by raising the Kelvin value (K). You can do this through your camera's settings menu – usually under the 'white balance' option – where you'll either see a 'Kelvin' setting or a custom white balance slider."
"Increasing the Kelvin scale anywhere from 6,000 to 8,000K adds more warmth, bringing out richer orange and red hues."
"If your camera doesn't offer manual control, using presets like 'shade' or 'cloudy' can achieve a similar effect by automatically increasing the warmth."
Experiment with filters
"If there's one thing you should add to your kit bag this autumn, it's a circular polarising filter," says Lizzie. "These filters, which attach to the front of your lens, reduce the amount of reflected light that reaches your camera's sensor, which in turn enhances the natural colours in your scene."
"For example, light reflecting off surfaces like water or leaves can create a washed-out, hazy effect that dulls colours. By rotating the polarising filter, you can block out certain angles of reflected light, making the blues of the sky deeper, and greens and autumnal colours in trees and foliage appear richer and more vibrant."
"Just keep in mind that using this filter will reduce the amount of light entering your lens by about 1 to 3 stops, depending on the brand and strength of the filter. This basically means your camera will need to adjust to compensate for the reduced light, which might require a slower shutter speed, wider aperture, or higher ISO."
Capture autumn wildlife
Autumn is a fantastic time to photograph wildlife, especially if you're heading to your local park.
"One of the best things about autumn is the abundance of wildlife activity," says Lizzie. "Squirrels are busy gathering food for the winter, and you might even spot deer in rural parks or forests. Plus, birds like robins and blackbirds are easier to see as the trees shed their leaves."
"Early mornings or late afternoons are ideal times to capture these animals in the soft, golden light. Not only is the light more flattering, but animals tend to be more active at sunrise and sunset, offering great photography opportunities. It's also usually quieter during these times, reducing the chances of spooking them."
"Using a telephoto lens allows you to photograph wildlife from a distance without disturbing their natural behaviour. These lenses, typically 200mm or more, are perfect for getting close-up shots of animals without having to physically approach them."
"A fast shutter speed will help freeze any sudden movements, especially with energetic creatures like squirrels. But remember – patience is key to getting that perfect shot."
For birds, you don't have to go far. Lizzie explains: "Photographing birds in your garden can be just as rewarding. Set up a bird feeder, and you'll have a steady stream of subjects coming and going. It's a great way to practise capturing birds in flight."
To learn more, read our guide on wildlife photography.
The best equipment for autumn photography
"This Hoya Circular Polarising Filter is a great addition to your photography toolkit this autumn," says Lizzie. "Its high-quality optical glass and 18 coated layers provide exceptional light transmission, which helps bring out the rich autumn colours."
"It's perfect for enhancing contrast in blue skies and eliminating reflections from wet leaves or water, making those crisp autumn landscapes really stand out."
Plus, the water-repellent and stain-resistant coating means you can shoot worry-free in unpredictable autumn weather.
The Billingham Small Camera Bag holds a small to medium-size DSLR or mirrorless camera and 2 to 3 small to medium lenses. It's a great pick for autumn photography outings. Lizzie explains why: "The waterproof fabric and leather trim make it ideal for protecting your gear if the weather takes a turn, and it's stylish enough to carry around while exploring a city. It's also compact and lightweight, so you won't feel weighed down while you're walking around looking for the perfect shot."
"Plus, the padded insert keeps your camera and lenses safe, and you can adjust the dividers to fit your setup."
This camera bag is a fantastic blend of style, practicality, and weather protection!
"The Canon EF 75-300mm III is a fantastic lens for autumn wildlife photography," says Lizzie. "Its telephoto zoom range, offering long focal lengths, allows you to capture wildlife from a distance without disturbing the animals – perfect for getting those natural, candid shots of nature."
The lightweight and compact design makes it ideal for long walks in the woods or parks during autumn, and the fast auto-focus ensures you won't miss any action, like birds mid-flight or squirrels foraging.
It's also an affordable option, making it an excellent choice for photographers looking to explore wildlife photography without breaking the bank.
An ultra-wide-angle lens is ideal for autumn photography because it allows you to capture vast landscapes with rich seasonal colours and dramatic skies. The wide field of view showcases the full beauty of autumnal forests, parks, or mountains, pulling in more of the scene than a standard lens would.
Lizzie explains why this Nikon ultra-wide-angle model is a good choice: "The compact design makes it perfect for long autumn walks, and the wide-angle zoom range helps capture the beauty of expansive landscapes and intricate seasonal details."
"The vibration reduction feature also ensures you can capture clear, sharp images during golden hour when slower shutter speeds are needed due to lower light conditions."
Binoculars are a good idea for autumn wildlife photography because they allow you to spot animals clearly before you even reach for your camera.
Lizzie says, "These Olympus binoculars have 8x magnification and bright, crisp optics, so you can easily scan the landscape for birds or squirrels, even in low-light conditions. Plus, they're waterproof and compact, making them ideal for long hikes in unpredictable autumn weather."
To learn more, read our binoculars buying guide.
Take stunning autumnal photos with Jessops
Autumn offers a constantly changing palette of colours and light as it progresses, making the season a photographer's dream.
Just remember to take your time while setting up the shots and experiment with your composition, perspective, and subjects, but most importantly, get out there and enjoy yourself!
Whatever you're shooting this autumn, we have a wide range of products at Jessops to level up your photography. Discover our range of digital cameras and lenses, as well as accessories like lighting and tripods.
If you're new to photography, read our beginner's guide to choosing the best digital camera. Or, for more advice and inspiration, check out our blog.
If you have any questions or need help choosing the right product, contact us today.
If you have to adjust your shutter speed significantly, you might want to use a tripod to avoid any potential camera shake and blurry photos.
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