Autumn landscapes

11 min read

UNMISSABLE TIPS FOR MASTERCLASS SERIES

Capture the beauty of autumn’s seasonal colour with Ross Hoddinott as he offers his ten essential pro steps

Pictured Seasonal sensation The colour changes during autumn or the fall offer huge scope for dramatic images but learn to look for smaller details to capture a complete story
© Michel Knikker/500px via Getty Images

Autumn is a favourite season for many photographers, most notably landscape and nature enthusiasts. The transformative power of the seasonal colour is not to be underestimated and even locations that have been shot many times can look completely different when shrouded in golden light, fiery vegetation and atmospheric weather conditions.

One of the biggest challenges of the season for a photographer is actually remaining focused on the images we want to create. There are so many opportunities for incredible photography that it encourages a ‘shoot and run’ mentality – capturing as many shots as possible and quickly moving on to the next position. This isn’t a particularly considered approach and rarely yields the best possible compositions from every potential subject.

The greatest skill a pro photographer has in this situation is the ability to look beyond simply the autumnal colours and see the impact it has on the surroundings. With experience, we learn to identify what it is about autumn that produces an emotional response in our viewers. With that knowledge, we can work to create shots that double down on those elements, capturing the essence of the season.

In this instalment of our Pro Masterclass series, Ross Hoddinott explores each facet of autumnal landscapes and explains his process for finding, presenting and shooting outdoor images at the most colourful time of the year. You’ll learn which subjects work best and where to find them, the best accessories for the job and how to produce creative autumnal images that will stand out in your portfolio.

Pictured Wareham Quay Water is a great mist generator, so waterways, lakes and lochs are good places to visit, as here at Wareham Quay in Dorset

1 Enjoy mist opportunities

Control the exposure to capture the ethereal atmosphere of a misty autumnal landscape

It’s arguably the best time of year to photograph foggy conditions. The atmosphere is moist and temperatures can dip significantly overnight. Expect mist to shroud the landscape after clear, cool, still nights. Check a detailed forecast for the area you intend to photograph and when the conditio

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