7 Tips for Better Fall Pics

Ah, it's here. Fall. The air has a fragrant crispness to it that is unlike any other season here in Minnesota.  There are bursts of brilliant color everywhere, the leaves crunch beneath my feet, and in the evening, the sun seems to set all of the trees and hills ablaze with color.  

Fall is really a photographer's paradise, and here at MEP we have been taking full advantage of it.  We aren't shooting as much during the week because kids are back in school, but the glorious colors and light mean our evenings and weekends are jam packed with Minnesota families looking for fall color portraits.  

Fall is my favorite season, so even when I'm this busy I think it's important to get out and shoot "just for me". The colorful leaves and trees are a perfect reason for me to do so.  If you like photography and / or fall, it's a great time for you, too.  

So here are 5 Tips for Better Fall Pics 

1.  Experiment with daylight - you often hear photographers talk about the golden hours of the day (shortly after the sun comes up in the morning and before it goes down in the evening), and these times can be GREAT for fall photography as well. However, now that the sun isn't as high in the sky (in the summer months the earth's position relative to the sun changes, therefore making the sun appear lower during the fall/winter/spring months), it's a great time to get out and experiment during other times of the day as well.  You'll find that the shadows aren't quite as harsh as they are mid-day during the summer months, and while the mottling from trees can be tricky to work with, it can also be quite fun. 

2.  Try a polarizing filter for your lens - this is one inexpensive accessory (well, depending on what kind you buy), that can really make a difference in landscape photography.  They are great for when the sun is bright and high.  It will help your sky keep the color and prevent the washed out colors you sometimes see in pictures out in bright sunlight.  However, it's not really great for portraits of people, so make sure you use it when you should and put it in your bag when you should.  

3.  Try a tripod - if you have a tripod, get it out and use it.  Tripods are a must for landscape photography in general, so it applies to fall color outdoor shots as well. 

4.  Change your perspective - again, as the sunlight gets weaker and not so high, take some chances and try changing your perspective.  Shoot up into the trees with the sky poking through.  This can be tricky, because direct sunlight (if strong enough) can melt or burn the mirror box inside your camera, so be careful (trust me on this - it is an expensive repair). 

5.  Use fill flash - If you are shooting out in the sun and your subject has the sun behind him or her, fill flash is a must.  

6.  Use a macro lens or setting - fall is a great time for macro shots because the leaves, bugs, and colors are fantastic and wonderful to capture up close. 

7.  Get out - more important than all of the tips above is to actually make time to get out and shoot.  And experiment.  

Enjoy!