Fall Foliage Photo Tips

The long Columbus Day weekend and peak Fall foliage in Sussex County, NJ generally coincide. The beautiful colors always inspire me to take lots of photos--and wish the photos I had taken were better. Below are some tips gleaned from experts, the internet and my own experience.

• Put the camera in the car. A camera phone does not do justice to the subject. We're lucky in Sussex County to see breathtaking sights on our way to the grocery store so keep a camera handy.
• Catch the "golden light". Photographers refer to the hours right around surise and sunset as the golden hours--the light best for photos.
• The air is clearest after a rain--especially in the mornng. Dust, pollutants etc. have been washed away and you will get a clearer view.
• Look for color contrasts--dark green conifers behind bright red maples for example.
• Try different settings and lenses for your camera. Use a telephoto lense to pick out detail. Use a wide angle lense for large swaths of color.
• Try a polarizing filter on your camera lense. The filter will minimize reflection and glare and give you the saturated colors of Fall.
• If the sky is gray and overcast minimize the amount of sky in the photo--zoom in on the trees.
• Use a photo editing program to enhance your photos. I use Photoshop Elements and generally the quick fix editing results in photos I'm happy with.
• Think outside of the forest. Many images say Fall besides beautifully colored trees--farmers market, piles of pumpkins, leaves floating on the water.

If you live in Sussex County or are visiting some of the most beautiful spots for photos are High Point State Park with its views of the Delaware River and many lakes. Stokes State Forest offers stunning views from Sunrise Mountain and Tillmans Ravine offers trees, water and rocks.

Whatever you do, take some time to enjoy the changing colors and the beauty that surrounds us. When you are ready to change the colors inside your home be sure to give me a call.