7 Tips on Capturing the Perfect Fall Photo

hark

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Has anyone ever tried using an intensifier filter on a DSLR? It is specifically designed to help pop fall colors. I have one that fits an older 35mm lens, and it was incredible to use with film. I don't use that lens anymore, but since I still have both the lens and the filter, I'll have to get them out one of these days and compare the differences between using it and simply popping the colors in post processing.

Here are a couple of 35mm photo (sorry no EXIF) that don't have any post processing. Unfortunately we get a lot of wind from coastal storms which causes some of the trees to lose their leaves before peak season. The first photo was shot through a window (no glass pane) of a covered bridge. The second photo is simply to show how the yellows, reds, and oranges pop. If anything, I would imagine the results would be even more dramatic on a DSLR.


fall.jpg



fall 1.jpg
 
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BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Has anyone ever tried using an intensifier filter on a DSLR? It is specifically designed to help pop fall colors. I have one that fits an older 35mm lens, and it was incredible to use with film. I don't use that lens anymore, but since I still have both the lens and the filter, I'll have to get them out one of these days and compare the differences between using it and simply popping the colors in post processing.

Here are a couple of 35mm photo (sorry no EXIF) that don't have any post processing. Unfortunately we get a lot of wind from coastal storms which causes some of the trees to lose their leaves before peak season. The first photo was shot through a window (no glass pane) of a covered bridge. The second photo is simply to show how the yellows, reds, and oranges pop. If anything, I would imagine the results would be even more dramatic on a DSLR.

Never used one and would probably rather do the post processing pop 99 times out of 100. Lightroom makes it so easy with the eye-droppers for the luminance and saturation sliders. Click the dropper, click on the thing you want to pop, hold the button down and move up to increase and down to decrease. Like a filter it is applied the entire photo, so if I wanted to isolate the effect I would select out the portion of the image into a layer in Photoshop and apply the changes just to the selection, which isn't quite as easy. Or, more likely, I'd use a control point in Nik's Viveza to do it. Nik's Color Efex Pro 4 has specific filters for autumn colors as well.

I always prefer to shoot pure and mess with it in the "darkroom", but I totally get the art in doing it all with the camera. Some would call the way I post process the art of saving sloppy photography, and in a lot of cases they'd probably be justified. But hey, we all play to our strengths, right?
 

snaphappy

Senior Member
I've noticed that dampness is a natural colour intensifier. After a bit of rain the browns are browner and the leaves look a richer brighter colour

I'm having issues figuring out fog. Is there a way to shoot fog without it being over bright while everything else too shadowed. Is this something that can be captured in camera without PS? Anyone got foggy shooting tips?

Thanx Jake it was very dense fog at home so I didn't think there was much I could do with it (hardly even see my horse)
NIK_5266.jpg

When I was down in town though I thought I'd give foggy shots of changing colours a try since everything looked so colour saturated after a drizzle last night
NIK_5269.jpg

In person the fog hanging above looked thick and layered
NIK_5272.jpg

The fog above just looks dark and gloomy
NIK_5282.jpg

NIK_5304.jpg
I thought about throwing my cpol on but I was already shooting at ISO 640
Anything I could have done better or should I have waited for thinner fog? Go ahead rip them apart with Fall just starting for some of you maybe we can learn something Thanx
 
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BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Fog, and dense fog in particular, is difficult to photograph dramatically in-camera, particularly when you're looking to capture the natural look of a foggy scene and not utilizing the fog as a medium to cast light or shadow. The only tip I have for you is to use a circular polarizer, which won't do much in dense fog, to filter some of the light (which seeps to come from every direction) and capture some of the details hidden in the fog.
 

Lee

Senior Member
Thanks for that link. I have plans to go spend a day getting some nice fall shots (they had better be nice!) in 2 weeks. Our leaves could probably use another week or so before the reds and golds really start to pop

One issue for me....

We dont get fall :frown-new: its hot all year around either wet or dry

Oh I long for a climate like that!
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
Thanks for that link. I have plans to go spend a day getting some nice fall shots (they had better be nice!) in 2 weeks. Our leaves could probably use another week or so before the reds and golds really start to pop



Oh I long for a climate like that!

It is good for most things and I guess coming into our dry is kind of like your Fall, except everything dies off if not near a billabong or river system.
 

Rick M

Senior Member
I've noticed that dampness is a natural colour intensifier. After a bit of rain the browns are browner and the leaves look a richer brighter colour

Absolutely! I've found my best shots are on rainy overcast days! Bright, direct sunlight is a killer!
 
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