NATURE'S ART WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE! Part 1-Fall

Many  photographers think they must drive to far off locations or to some iconic state or national park to create great images. Sometimes they overlook what's in their own backyard; just over the fence, or a block away.  I like to take walks around my neighborhood in early fall to take note of which trees are starting to turn color first.

 f5.6 @ 1/200 sec., ISO 400

This tree is just six feet on the other side of our backyard fence (in the common area). Most of it's leaves were still green, so they made a nice background for this one branch of yellow leaves. 

In early fall I look for these color contrasts and zoom in on unusual details…

f5.6 @ 1/320 sec., ISO 400

This tree is near the other--this is also the view looking over my fence. I like the bi-color leaves again with mostly green leaves behind them. Don't forget to get under these early fall trees, when the sun is high, and LOOK-UP.  I look for back-lit fall colors…

f6.3 @ 1/320 sec., ISO 800

The back light really makes these leaves POP against the other green leaves.  These trees are a block from our home in our development's common area.  Two trees over another tree has progressed far more…

 f8.0 @ 1/320 sec., ISO 400

This tree was going Red much faster than it's neighbors.  I liked the layers of leaves--this time with some front light.

Looking up at another tree…

f6.3@ 1/2000 sec., ISO 400

I see these odd leaves back-lit against the sky and I zoom-in for a close-up.

Late fall is another great time, just before the snow starts to capture the symbolic end of fall.

f8.0 @ 1/250 sec., ISO 400

This is when you LOOK DOWN for interesting leaves on the ground.  This image was taken in the same common area, as the sun was setting, just 16 days later.

Next week in Part 2 I'll revisit my neighborhood highlighting the transition of fall into winter, followed by our first heavy snow and my favorite: freezing fog.

As usual, should you have comments or questions please don't hesitate…

Author:  Jerry W Venz, Master Photographer Certified
Training site:  http://LightAtTheEdge.com