P#19 Q2B: Mark Your Calendars: What Is the Best Time of Year to Capture the Leaves Changing?
If you're wondering how to time your photographs of the fall leaves changing color, Jim Zuckerman offers some helpful advice
During his 7 Photography Questions interview, Jim Zuckerman explained the best places to go to photograph the autumn leaves changing color. That left me wondering when was the best time to go to these places? Jim offered some helpful advice for timing your visits to these amazing fall photography spots.
Time is of the Essence
Jim Zuckerman: The problem is that the peak fall color last a few days or a week at the most, and you can't be everywhere at once. If you want to really devote a lot of time to shooting fall colors in a particular season, you could start in Canada or the northern part of the US and just work your way down because the warmer states, like North Carolina and Tennessee and Virginia, get their fall color after New England does.
You could start at the end of September up at Owl's Head in northern Vermont, and just gradually work your way down so that two or three weeks later you're somewhere around Pennsylvania or West Virginia. Then you keep moving down so by the time you get to the end of October, you could have been shooting an entire month of peak color.
Another really classic fall shot of leaves changing is in Babcock State Park in West Virginia. There's a gristmill there that's fantastic. In Virginia, Mabry Mill is another idyllic classic shot of leaves changing. It's really beautiful any time. Winter is great, summer is beautiful -- but of course in the fall it's special.
When I was in Pennsylvania coming back from shooting in New England, I passed this spectacular farm that had a barn with a silo. It was all painted red and was really beautiful -- a wonderful setting. Unfortunately there were no off ramps. The nearest off ramp was five miles down the freeway. I got off and it took me a half hour of going through backcountry roads to find that farm. Finally I found it.
Sometimes, just by serendipity, you can be driving along and find the perfect spot to photograph leaves changing. You just have to keep your antenna up.
To Conclude
While location is critical when it comes to photographing fall colors, timing is equally important. To maximize your fall photography opportunities, learn when peak color hits for each of the areas you want to shoot and plan your travel accordingly to capture the best images of leaves changing color.
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