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There’s something so charming and lovely about fall, and it’s not only the magical colors of the falling leaves or the beautiful and softly dimmed light coming from the sky. This season brings with it a cozy, welcoming feeling, and we’re sure you have felt it too.
Now that autumn is upon us, we bring you some useful advice to consider not only when shooting during the season, but also in post-production.
1. Mind the colors
Photography during the autumn season is all about color. Try to compose your images with fall’s rich hues in mind: That golden-reddish foliage is your ultimate goal, but contrast it with some lovely greenish-blue tints or neutral tones for a balanced touch.
2. Mind the weather
Shooting in rain or snow is a fantastic way of capturing photographs that will take your breath away. But proceed with caution as doing this can damage your camera. Carry an umbrella or a waterproof coat, or better yet, invest in weather-proofing gear.
3. Look for reflections
If you’re shooting in rain, try to look for some little ponds on the streets. These little windows are great for capturing reality in a whole different perspective. Don’t worry if you get your knees muddy—it will be worth it, trust us.
4. Cities are great…
If you’re still thinking about where to go for autumn, here’s some good news: you probably don’t have to travel too far. The great thing about autumn is that cities are immersed in a very beautiful light. Wander around the streets of your hometown and you’ll see how easy it can be to shoot beautiful autumnal photos.
5. But woods are even better
If cities are great during autumn, woods are the ultimate expression of fall. The forests will be perfect for all sorts of photo shoots you can imagine. Take the kids and let them have fun playing with the leaves on the forest floor, and shoot away!
6. Shoot RAW
We can’t say this one enough: Shoot RAW whenever you can. This is the best way to recover details and maintain the season’s beautiful colors on your photographs in post-production. While it’s true that RAW files are heavy and that they limit your storage, you should be able to work around it if you’re serious about photography. Put some thought into your shots, and you’ll eventually end up shooting fewer but better-looking photographs. Quality over quantity, always.
7. White balance is key
If you shoot RAW and understand the power behind white balance, then you’ll have the most fulfilling experience with photography. All you have to do is to import your RAW files through your favorite development software and play around with the temperature and tint values from the white balance section. By doing this, you’ll achieve virtually any mood you could imagine. Use it wisely, and you’ll be all set with your fall photographs.
8. Display your photos
During autumn, not every single day is perfect for going out, and that’s fine! What you can do is to display your fall photographs on a Nixplay frame in your home. This is a great way to keep yourself inspired motivated to take better photographs.
Federico is a documentary photographer, writer and educator based in El Salvador. Check out his photography portfolio.
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