Golden palettes: Autumnal photography tips
Words by MyFUJIFILMMarch 20, 2024
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There’s no denying that autumn’s warm hues and crisp air makes any photographer’s heart sing. The vibrant foliage, soft golden light, and cosy ambiance of autumn make it a season that any photographer would be desperate to capture.
Whether you're an experienced photographer or a beginner just starting out, autumn offers endless opportunities to encapsulate its enchanting beauty.
With our cameras in hand (and maybe a pair of gloves on), let’s explore some autumn photography tips and tricks to help you make the most of this spectacular season. Once you’ve taken your beautiful seasonal photos, why not display them with high-quality wall art, photo prints, and homeware gifts?
Camera settings for autumn photography
Setting the right parameters on your camera is crucial for capturing the essence of autumn. After all, taking a great image is one thing, but harnessing your camera’s in-built tools allows you to create something even more spectacular.
Aperture
Use a wide aperture (a low f-number) to create a shallow depth of field. This will help you isolate your subject and make the vibrant foliage pop against a blurred background.
ISO
Keep your ISO as low as possible to maintain image quality and reduce noise, especially in well-lit conditions
White balance
Experiment with different white balance settings to enhance the warm, golden tones of autumn. Try the "Cloudy" or "Shade" presets for a cosy, amber look.
Exposure compensation
Adjust the exposure compensation to capture the true richness of surrounding autumn colours. However, bear in mind that you might need to slightly overexpose the shot to avoid losing details to the shadows.
RAW format
Use a tripod
To ensure sharpness in your photos, especially in low light conditions or when capturing long-exposure shots of flowing rivers and waterfalls, use a tripod. It’s secure and stable, and a tripod will allow you to get a clear and defined shot.
Lastly, while these settings and tools provide a good baseline, the best tip for any photographer is to experiment and find what works best for your personal style and the specific scene in front of you. Every autumn landscape and moment is unique, so be prepared to adapt with the elements.
What time of day should you take pictures in the autumn?
The quality of light plays a significant role in photography, and during autumn, the golden hour should take centre stage. Golden hour is every selfie-taker and landscape photographer’s dream. It can be defined as the period shortly after sunrise or just before sunset when the sunlight is soft, warm, and diffused.
It bathes the landscape in a magical, golden glow, enhancing the autumn’s inherent beauty. Golden hour shots encapsulate the soft light of autumn, creating an image bathed in the glow of the season — perfect for landscape photography, macro photography, and portrait photography.
To make the most of this period, we recommend shooting autumn photography in the early morning.. While it may be a pain to rise in the chill of the morning, you’ll be met with tranquil scenes, dew-covered leaves, and misty ponds as the sun begins to rise over the skyline.
If you consider yourself more of a night owl, evening shots are also just as stunning for making the most of golden hour in the autumn. Why not capture the sunset as it paints the sky in shades of red and orange, with its delicate hues of purple and pink? The evening is the perfect time to capture the more dramatic colours that autumn has to offer.
Don't shy away from shooting during other times of the day, though. Overcast days, mid-mornings and late afternoons can also create a diffused, soft light that accentuates autumn colours and reduces harsh shadows.
What month is best for an autumn photoshoot?
The timing of your autumn photoshoot can make a significant difference in the colours you capture. In the UK, autumn typically peaks from late September to early November. Seasons are fickle, however, so trust your instincts and don’t hesitate in pressing the shutter if you see a particularly autumnal photo setting.
Regardless, here's a breakdown of the key months of autumn and the types of images you can capture.
Later September
The first signs of autumn start to appear in mid to late summer, with leaves beginning to change colour from a vibrant green to crunchy brown and reds. It's an excellent time for capturing the transition period between the seasons.
October
This month often boasts the most vibrant foliage, with trees displaying stunning shades of red, orange, and yellow just starting to make their journey to the ground below. Plus, it’s the month for pumpkins to shine — and what could be more autumnal than a gorgeous orange pumpkin patch?
Early November
Toward the end of autumn, you'll find a mix of colourful foliage and bare trees, creating a unique contrast.
No matter when you shoot your autumnal photos, choose the month that aligns with the specific autumnal atmosphere you want to capture. Or, why not take an autumnal photo each month to encapsulate the change of nature throughout the season?
How to display autumnal photos
Once you've captured the beauty of autumn, consider turning your photos into stunning keepsakes or gifts. Thankfully, we offer a range of options to showcase your autumn photography, whether it be for yourself or for family and friends.
Autumnal canvas prints
Transform your favourite autumn shot into a piece of striking wall art. Showcase the rich and vibrant colours of the season with a canvas print. The unique texture of canvas prints also help to bring out the warmth of the season.
Photo books for autumn
Compile a collection of your autumn photos into a beautifully designed photo book. It's a wonderful way to relive the season's memories. Why not tell a story with its contents?
Whether it’s a photo book with photos of the same landscape over the different months, or a collection of autumnal shots in your most-loved places, make your photo book special so you can look back at the season fondly.
Gifts for autumn lovers
Get creative with your autumn photos by turning them into unique photo gifts for your loved ones to showcase in their autumn decorations. How about a personalised chopping board with one of your vibrant autumn scenes or a personalised photo cushion featuring your most heart-warming shot?
Autumnal wall decor
Reinvent your living space with autumn-themed walls using our Shacolla prints, where you can choose from your finest photos to make an eye-catching statement on your walls.
They're removable and easy to apply, giving you the flexibility to change the scenery as often as you wish. Arrange your autumn pictures however and wherever you like, ensuring that you feel the essence of the season every time you walk into the room.
Mugs to warm the soul
As the air grows colder, sipping on a warm beverage in the morning becomes a cherished daily ritual. Make it even more special by drinking from a personalised photo mug that's adorned with your very own autumn snapshot. It's a heartwarming experience, literally and figuratively! Or, why not gift a personalised mug to your loved one so they can see crisp autumn settings from the cosy comfort of their own home?
Choose the perfect personalised photo gift from our range and let the world, and your home, bask in the warm hues of the season.
Additional tips for capturing autumn's beauty
With the variety of colours and textures available for autumn photography, it’s important to have a few tricks up your layered sleeves for when you’re ready to press the shutter.
- Low angle shots: Capture the depth of fallen leaves by shooting from a low angle. This technique adds a sense of immersion and draws viewers into the autumn landscape.
- Embrace backlighting: Use the natural backlighting provided by the sun to create a warm, ethereal effect. Position yourself so that the sun's rays filter through the leaves, creating magical atmosphere.
- Macro photography: Explore the intricate details of autumn by capturing close-up shots of leaves, acorns, or the individual dewdrops on spiderwebs.
Shoot autumn your way with MyFujifilm
There’s no denying that autumn is a remarkable season for photography, offering a palette of warm, inviting colours and a cosy ambiance. With the above tips in mind, we hope you feel ready to create captivating images that showcase the beauty of this beloved season.
Grab your camera, pack a flask of tea or coffee, and immerse yourself in the golden palettes that this season has to offer.
Explore our wide range of personalised photo gifts and unleash your creativity today.