How to Get Great Fall Foliage Photographs

Lots of my ideas for landscaping come from when I'm out and about. Whether it's on a vacation trip or just a jaunt through the neighborhood on errands, I always keep my eyes peeled for interesting plants and designs. The best way to record such finds is with a camera. Currently, of course, my focus is on fall foliage scenes.

Liz Masoner offers several tips in this article on taking great fall foliage photographs. For instance, says About's Photography Guide, "Shoot just after dawn or just before sunset when the sunlight has a natural golden red glow." The sunset part of that tip I can handle; but as a late riser, it's highly unlikely you'll see me posting any photographs I've taken "just after dawn"! I do, however, understand Liz's point: even as a photography novice, it's hard not to have some sort of appreciation of the impact the sun's rays have on a setting when they filter in from almost directly across the horizon. Everything -- including the fall foliage on trees and other plant features -- looks its best in that hour or so leading up to sunset.

I'll let somebody else speak for dawn....