10 tips for autumn photography

Autumn may well be one of the most versatile seasons to capture. Autumn colours, mushrooms, changing weather – there’s always something going on. Heading out for a day of autumn photography? We’re happy to help you get started. Follow the tips below and you’re guaranteed to come home with stunning autumn photos!

Tip 1: Play with the autumn colours

In autumn, deciduous trees and shrubs change from their usual green to a whole range of colours. This creates a beautiful palette of leaf colours, from green, yellow and orange to red and brown. You can also get creative with mushrooms, moss and fallen leaves. For many photographers, golden hour is the time of day to take photos – and in autumn, thanks to the vivid autumn colours, golden hour has an almost magical touch.

Tip 2: Head out early for the mist

Mist can occur all year round, but in autumn the chances are considerably higher. And that can make for beautiful shots! Mist can give a landscape photo a mysterious atmosphere, for example when the moisture lingers in spider webs. Mist combined with sunlight can also produce amazing images: the shadows of trees can literally reveal the sunbeams. These rays of sunlight in the mist are also known as ‘crepuscular rays’.

Tip 3: Pay attention to the details

Autumn is full of beautiful details. Think of mushrooms, leaves in autumn colours and the spiders you’ll find this time of year. So take a good look around and seek out these details. You often need to step off the path to find the most beautiful details in the forest. Walk around that fallen tree – there may be something lovely growing on the other side, or a little puddle that makes for a beautiful reflection!

Tip 4: Use a tripod

When you’re taking (macro) photos with a narrow aperture, or shooting in the early morning, there isn’t always enough light to shoot handheld. So use a (macro) tripod to set your camera up firmly. If you’re dealing with uneven ground, you can also use a GorillaPod, which you can easily attach to branches or fences thanks to its flexible legs.

Tip 5: Bring a polarising filter

Autumn brings the occasional heavy downpour. Wet leaves reflect light, which can have an unwanted effect on your photo. A polarising filter prevents these reflections on the leaves. It also boosts the contrast between the different autumn colours, so they look even better.

Tip 6: Try taking a portrait

There’s plenty of beauty to see in nature in autumn, but on a lovely autumn day the conditions are also perfect for a great portrait. The warm light and vibrant colours make a wonderfully atmospheric backdrop. So, heading into the woods with the family for the day? Don’t forget to take some beautiful portraits or candid shots!

Tip 7: Pick a cloudy day for a change

Heading out on a grey, overcast day may not sound very appealing, but we recommend giving it a try anyway. Harsh sunlight can create strong contrasts in your photo, so colours don’t come out well. On a cloudy day, the autumn light is often more beautiful. So make the most of it!

Tip 8: Bring a bin bag or plastic bag

If you want to shoot close to the ground, don’t forget to bring a bin bag or plastic bag. To get the best shots, you sometimes need to sit or lie on the ground. To avoid getting dirty or wet clothes, it’s handy to bring a bin bag. Lay it on the ground, lie down on it and take the perfect photo!

Tip 9: Watch your white balance

To make the colours in your photo look warmer, it’s a good idea to set your white balance to ‘cloudy’, as this produces warmer colours. Just make sure the colour of the (blue) sky doesn’t turn yellow.

Tip 10: Know when to stop editing

Of course you want to optimise your photos by editing them, but make sure you keep it realistic. You can emphasise colours, for example, but make sure they don’t become too bright.