Head out at Sunrise or Sunset

This doesn’t necessarily apply to just Autumn, although the early mornings are certainly more appealing during this time of year. The first and last hours of sun during the day have a brilliant quality to the light. More commonly referred to as golden hour, the times around both sunrise and sunset, is when the light is at it’s softest. Landscapes light up with a gorgeous golden glow which will not only help to ‘pop’ the vibrant autumn colours but will also help to create atmosphere in your shot.

Don’t be put off by Bad Weather

Although it’s easier said than done, don’t let the bad weather discourage you from heading out. Autumn has the unique ability to provide you with some brilliant colours and contrast. Bodies of water or areas of woodland are great places to venture to on overcast or foggy days.

Look for those scenes or subjects that stick out from their surroundings. In wooded areas or parks the colour of the red and orange leaves work as a great contrast to a moody grey sky backdrop.

Check the weather forecast and be prepared for anything. 

Shoot Falling Leaves

Undoubtably one of Nature’s most beautiful times of year is when the rich and vibrantly coloured leaves eventually start to fall. Some of our favourite things to shoot during this time of year are the leaf-covered canals, streams, and woodland trails. The fallen leaves not only help to add texture and a pop of colour to your photos, but they’ll also convey motion or work as leading lines in your compositions.

Fallen leaves are also perfect for some seasonal portraits. Find an area in your local park and snap away as your children throw the leaves up in the air. 

Don’t forget to take some home! If you’re wanting to experiment with your photography, the red and orange leaves can be used for some autumnal flat lay props.

Experiment with your White Balance

For the moments that might need a little helping hand to capture, experiment with your white balance settings. If you’re looking to add a warmer temperature to your photos to enhance the golden glow of a sunrise or sunset, then adjust your white balance to suit.

Experiment with Filters

If there’s one addition you should add to your kit bag this Autumn, it should be a circular polarising filter. These are brilliant for a variety of subjects as they’ll help to enhance the natural contrast and colours in your photos along with removing unwanted glare from wet days or reflections from glass. It is worth noting that you can expect to lose 1-3 stops of light, depending on which brand of filter you’re using, so you may need to adjust some settings or have a tripod to hand to eliminate any camera shake that it may cause.