Continuing the theme of Fall Color tips and techniques, Russ Burden offers another round of suggestions
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I love autumn as the hazy days of summer give way to crisp fall mornings. The landscape is painted with a mosaic of warm toned leaves, the morning air has a fresh clean fragrance, and a rejuvenation of the environment takes place. For the photographer who loves color, it’s a magical time. From the grand landscape to a lonely fallen red leaf to a child romping in a pile of freshly raked leaves, there’s a plethora of subject matter. Whether your passion lies in photographing nature, people, photo journalism, sports, etc., adding a background of fall color will make your images pop. There are so many factors about which to take into consideration when taking fall photos, I dedicated this week’s Tips in addition to last week’s to the subject. If you didn’t get a chance to see last week’s tips, I encourage you to read them. In total, I will have provided a six tip journey to show you how to improve your autumn photographs. Rather than just reading them and filing away the information in your head, join me on one of my autumn nature photography tours so I can show you first hand my tips, tricks, techniques, and enthusiasm - see last paragraph for info.
Explore a Trail: Here’s a scenario I’ll never understand. A family lays out a lot of money to go on vacation. Dad drives the mini van, the kids watch DVD’s in the back, and mom video tapes the scenery through the windshield while dad drives by at 50 mph. My response is, why bother? Although exaggerated, my point for you is, as a serious photographer, get out on the trail to get a more intimate view of the area you visit. Force yourself to get away from the car. Car locations have been photographed millions of times in that they’re easy. Find a new angle or new perspective off the beaten path. Immerse yourself in the environment and study it while you methodically walk at a slow pace as to not overlook a potential image. Better yet, stop every eighth mile for 10 minutes and look around. Inevitably, you’ll find something of great worth. It may be an intimate detail instead of the grand landscape, but so be it. Often these shots have more impact. It’s not about the number of pictures you take, it’s about the quality of the ones that compel you to press the shutter. If you’re an adventurer, take along a GPS to retrace your steps to guarantee you’ll make it back safely with all those newly discovered great images.
Use That Tripod: I would never go out on a photo shoot without a tripod. I refer to it as a six pound burden that is the greatest luxury I could own. While carrying it around can sometimes be a problem, I shrug it off knowing that if I don’t use it, the problem of coming home with soft images is a much greater one. Basically, accept it needs to be used and enjoy the many benefits it provides. First off, if I’m making a long exposure, there’s no better substitute to ensure the image will be sharp - end result = BENEFIT. Having the camera on a tripod allows me to fine tune the composition as there’s no extra curricular movement introduced trying to hand hold the camera and lens - end result = BENEFIT. A tripod forces me slow down and think through the composition as I set the vertical and horizontal axis while viewing the image through the viewfinder - end result = BENEFIT. When I’m using a long lens, I can shoot with a slower shutter speed and come home with tack sharp pictures - end result = BENEFIT. Carrying one on a week long photo trip saves me from having to spend time in the gym - end result = BENEFIT. Long story short - don’t leave home without it and make sure you use it.
Attach an Ultra Wide: Many photographers associate specific focal length lenses with an obvious specific purpose. Use a long lens to bring a subject closer, a medium lens to simulate what the human eye sees, and a wide angle lens when in tight quarters. While using this thinking is absolutely correct and should be done, adhering to the guideline will prevent you from acquiring many great images. I encourage and challenge you this fall to make as many images as you can using the widest angle lens in your arsenal. You’ll come home with sweeping and dramatic results. The perspective will be distorted, but use this to your advantage. Find a foreground object and get right on top of it to give it a lot of emphasis. Don’t necessarily think Large Foreground Subject in that an ultra wide lens placed very close to a small subject looks very large in the image. The amazing depth of field an ultra wide provides can be used to your advantage to achieve foreground to background sharpness quite easily. Get down low to the ground and photograph from an ant’s eye view. Have fun, play and experiment. While an ultra wide won’t be your most frequently used lens over the span of your photo career, it will certainly bring joy and unique images when you use it.
To learn more about this topic, join me on one of my Photographic Nature Tours. Visit www.russburdenphotography.com and click on the NATURE TOURS button for more information. Also, pick up a copy of my new book, Amphoto’s Complete Book of Photography. You can purchase a signed copy directly from me or visit your local book store or Amazon. Contact me at rburden@ecentral.com to order your signed copy.
