For me autumn is the best time of the year for a landscape photographer. The colours in the landscape are my favourite aspect to this season. Although in some places autumn is just starting to form (finally). The low light conditions give photographers the chance to photograph longer in the landscape. Autumn is full of vibrant colours and as a photographer its out duty to photograph them at their best. The colours can be amazing in places which give that extra something to the image.
Ideal conditions
for me, my ideal conditions are different for you require. When I want to photograph woods I want dull overcasts days. This brings out the colours in the leaves and gives a sense mystery with the subject. The early morning mist in the landscape gives photographer great opportunities to explore layered shot. Autumn also gives you the chance to photograph on stormy days which can give great results with the colours in the landscape against the harsh sky.
One of the best locations in the peak district to catch autumn colours is Padley Gorge. This is located above Grindleford. If you only get once chance to photograph autumn then go to Padley Gorge. It’s a mixture of deep woodland with a stream running through it. This makes for endless ideas for your autumn photography. I only visit this location once a year and it’s at this time of the year.
Here are two images from Padley Gorge in autumn.
The Photos
Padley Wheel Stone
I’ve wanted to photograph a wheel stone in Padley for a few years now but have never found one. Last year finally I did. I found this near the top of Padley which some people might know. I want to capture all the colours in both the trees and ground while still having the stone been a main part of the image but not bang in the middle. I have been to Padley when the leaves were brown/red but the tree was still green and I was disappointed so I made sure I went when the leaves on the tree match the leaves on the ground. I love the contrast between the rich colours in leaves matched with the colours in the stones around the tree/stone.
Canon 5D MkII – f/11 1/25 sec ISO100
Padley Gorge Stream
I found this location on my first trip to Padley and was amazed by the stream running through it with the vibrant nature. My first venture didn’t produce great results but after going back last year I the colours were even better. I haven’t seen hardly even photographs of this location in Padley so it was a great find for me and Its one of my best images. I am stood on a bridge which crosses the stream which gives me a great vantage point to take my photographs from. I wanted to have a longer exposure on the water so that the stream looks glossy. I also used the stream from the right to bring viewers into the image. Making them feel like they are there. The large tree on the left was also used as an edge to the photograph and a great focal point.
Canon 5D MkII - f/16 2secs ISO100
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and I hope this has given you food for thought for your autumn photography.
