Photographing Autumn

Autumn is upon us in the Delaware Valley and I find myself scheduling several early morning and late afternoon “golden hours” each week to try and capture the fleeting transition of the flora around us. It is this fleeting nature of autumn that captivates me this time of year as a photographer. One day, just a few hours or even just a few seconds can make an entirely different moment any time of year, but autumn seems to be exceedingly fleeting and what might be a beautiful scene of fall color one day might be a bare landscape the next.

Reflections on the pond at Mt. Cuba. photo credit: R. Maurer

There is so much to take in visually and I also find my sense of hearing and smell heightened at this time of year. Just this weekend the sound and scent of Eastern white pine needles toasting in the afternoon sun took me back to sleeping on a bed of these needles in a pine forest when I was about 10 years old. I use all my senses to frame my vision for a photograph. Personally, I’m trying to convey meaning, trying to listen to what nature is saying and trying to excite the senses with my finished images; but every photographer has a different vision for their work.

October colors of Helenium 'Mardi Gras'. photo credit: R. Maurer

Some tools I always take with me into the field along with my camera and lenses are my tripod, graduated neutral density filters and circular polarizer. I carry the tripod with me everywhere as I often find a need for it even on the brightest of days. The circular polarizer minimizes reflections off of water, leaf surfaces and structures when at 90 degrees from the sun. Graduated neutral density filters help to compensate for exposure differences between a brightly lit sky and foreground at times such as sunrise and sunset. I might even pack along a neutral density filter to control exposure for movement.

Rhoda Maurer capturing the "fleeting transition of flora" with her camera. photo credit: B. Rahlings

Autumn is an amazing time of year; moments in time to become closer with knowing ourselves as photographers, artists and human beings. It’s also a good time to brush up on your skills as a photographer and artist. Join me October 22^nd and 29^th for a two part workshop on the techniques and creative aspects of digital photography held at the Scott Arboretum. Session One will cover topics such as: composition, filters, exposure compensation, white balance, shutter speed, and depth of field. Session Two will be an opportunity to explore your own creative vision using the techniques learned in Session One. Register online or by calling the Scott Arboretum office at 610-328-8025.