It is that special time of year. The woods are ablaze in color. It is the perfect time to schedule a photo safari in your local parks or woodlands. Ask a friend to join you and make a day of it together. Perhaps pack a picnic lunch or snack to eat en-route. Here are a few tips.

Set the alarm early and try to arrive at your destination just as the sun rises. The best light on these glorious leaves will be early and late. You want to catch the sun low to the horizon. Let the sunlight pierce through the leaves, initiating a glow of color.

Try using a shallow depth of field on some hanging leaf close-ups. Let the background go soft and out of focus, providing a mellow blend of colors in the rear. That will help accent the crisp leaves in the foreground.

Dew drops and the splatter of rain can make a leaf detail more interesting. If you want to “fake it”, because there hasn’t been any natural rainfall, carry a spray mister and spray the colorful leaf for your artistic interpretation.

Try different distances from your subject. If there is a tall promontory, where you can look down on a village, try it out. Those scenic overlooks are always good.

Look for bridges and small areas where you can ford a stream. Try to get into the water, if possible, to catch the effect of a trickling stream. Boots may be in order, for this trek.

Try a low perspective, giving a bug’s eye view. Sometimes getting low with lots of leaves in the foreground can give a great point of view.

Try looking through a decayed limb or tree trunk, they can act as great framing techniques to enhance your composition.

Sunsets in the fall are usually superb. Get set-up in a location for the prime sunset shot. A tripod would be advisable to avoid blurring. If you are well into the woods, carry a flash light to safely return to the car.

In short, get outside NOW! The time is very short for this activity In New England we are called “peepers”. Soon things will be dull and grey for a long stretch of time. Enjoy this color while it is all around us.

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