P#19 Q3: When is the Best Time to Shoot Fall Trees?
Timing is everything when it comes to photographing fall trees, and Jim Zuckerman reveals the best time of day to do it
Lighting is critical when photographing fall trees and different times of day offer different lighting results. I asked Jim what he felt was the best time of day to photograph fall colors, and how to overcome obstacles we might encounter during those times. His advice was very compelling...
Working Around the Sun
Jim Zuckerman: You can shoot all day long if it's overcast. If it's sunny, you can still shoot but it's not going to be as good as if you had soft lighting.
If you have a clear blue sky when the sun is very low on the horizon and the forest is blocking the sun, that can work too. If you have a strong sun you can do a lot of back lighting on the leaves.
Audri Lanford: Great. How do you handle wind when you're shooting autumn leaves?
Jim Zuckerman: You mumble nasty things under your breath a lot.
Audri Lanford: I bet.
Jim Zuckerman: Yes, wind is the enemy of macro photography and it is the enemy of shooting fall trees. All you can do is wait until there's a lull in the wind.
Another approach is to use long exposures and get a sense of motion in the trees, but if you want nice tack sharp fall foliage, the best you can do is wait for a lull in the wind and be patient.
Dealing with Bad Weather
Audri Lanford: What do you do to protect your gear if there's bad weather?
Jim Zuckerman: An umbrella helps a lot. You should always be carrying an umbrella if you're going to photograph fall trees. The other thing that I do is take the clear shower caps the hotels give you. I find that that it really helps protect the camera. You can put it around the camera and the elastic band will make it cling to the lens. If it's raining, it will help keep your camera dry.
The White Sky Dilemma
Audri Lanford: White skies... Are they a problem and if so, why?
Jim Zuckerman: They're a problem because they're so bright that the eye is always attracted to the lightest part of a picture first. The real subject is the trees. You don't want your eye being diverted to the sky. Sometimes a white sky can work, but lots of times it is distracting. Try to compose the picture so you eliminate it.
Art is in the eye of the beholder and there are a million different compositions. We all have different tastes. Sometimes a white sky can work, but lots of times it can't. Just try to position yourself so that it's minimal in the frame.
Audri Lanford: Is it ever okay to include it in the composition?
Jim Zuckerman: Yes, it is, but I can't give you a specific guideline because it's one of those things where you have to see it to know if it works or not.
Audri Lanford: Okay, fair enough. So in general, it's a good idea to avoid white skies?
Jim Zuckerman: Yes, I think so.
To Sum Up
According to Jim Zuckerman, there are some things you need to avoid and some things you want to look for when photographing fall foliage. Direct sunlight and white skies? Avoid them. Overcast days? Use them to their fullest. And don't worry about rain. With something as simple as a hotel room shower cap you can overcome the obstacle of wet weather while getting amazing photographs of fall trees.
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