Fall Foliage: Getting Great Fall Foliage Photographs

Fall is a wonderful time to get out your camera and capture the splendor of the world as it puts on its party clothes for one last dance before winter. Leaves change from rich green into jeweled tones of red, orange, and yellow.

Here are some quick tips to remember when photographing fall foliage:

• Try a color intensifier filter (yes, that's really what its called) for more intense colors.


• A UV filter will help clarify the image by cutting out haze and allowing the colors to shine.


• Underexpose by by a half stop to intensify colors without a filter.


• Shoot just after dawn or just before sunset when the sunlight has a natural golden red glow.


• Shoot right after a rain (this makes the colors very vivid).


• In post-processing you can use levels to brighten your image to match what your eyes saw.


• Don't forget the rules of composition. The rule of thirds, centering, and orientation choices make a huge difference in any photograph.