Autumn Colors in Photographs
Capture Fall in Photographic Images
Fall is one of my favorite seasons! I love the leaves changing colors, the crisp air and the rich aromas of autumn baking.
Each autumn, I take my SLR digital camera out and go for a drive in the gorgeous Oregon forests that are just 10 minutes away from my home. Capturing the fall colors on trees and shrubs is one of my most cherished past times.
Autumn sunlight is less intense than during the summer, as the sun has sunk lower on the horizon. Light streams through brilliant orange, red and yellow leaves, adding dimension and depth to the colors. While its nice to take photographs on sunny afternoons, I also love to experiment with other lights. Fall leaves through rain showers can create images that look almost like watercolors. Early morning hours and at dusk, the dim light add a quiet, calm feeling.
All photographs in this hub are the property of Stephanie Hicks. Please contact me for permission to use.
Composing Fall Photographs
Composing fall photographs is fairly easy. Consider what you want your viewers' eyes to see - a swath of color, individual leaves, a nature scene, or perhaps an illustration of the changing seasons (a leaf falling from the tree, or settling into the water)?
When you look through your view-finder, crop out distracting items like street lamps, directional signs, vehicles and buildings. Some structures may work in photographs, however, like covered bridges, walkways or old fences.
Fall foliage may be the subject of your photographs, or perhaps create a lovely backdrop. My favorite photographs include water features, contrasting evergreens and rock formations.
If you are working with a 
Where is Your Favorite Location for Fall Colors?
Where Can You Find Fall Foliage?
Because leaves turn colors when they are exposed to fewer hours of sunlight and colder overnight temperatures, you'll find the best, most brilliant fall foliage in northern areas of the United States, Canada and Europe.
Although I have explored many reaches of the Pacific Northwest, in Oregon and my original home of Washington State, with a few excursions into British Columbia, Canada, the maples of the Northeastern region of the U.S. are but a dream for me. I would love to spend October in New England someday!
If you live elsewhere in the world with beautiful fall colors, please vote, and share your location in the comments below!
Why Do Leaves Change Colors in Fall?
Deciduous plants lose their leaves each fall and then bud out again in the springtime.
Unlike evergreens, leafy trees and shrubs use a green chemical called chlorophyll to aid with photosynthesis - the means by which these plants absorb water and CO2 and turn them into glucose for energy, with oxygen as a by-product. In this way, trees are literally the lungs of the planet.
When the days get shorter at the end of summer, it's a signal to plants to prepare for the shorter, colder winter months. Photosynthesis shuts down and the green chlorophyll, which hides the yellows and orange colors that are always present in leaves, fades away.
Brilliant reds and purple colors in fall foliage comes from glucose remaining in the leaves after photosynthesis turns off. Cooler temperatures that arrive in autumn cause the leaves with trapped glucose to turn bright colors.
What fall color do you enjoy best?
Any Camera Will Do
You don't need an expensive camera to take gorgeous fall photographs. Any camera will do. Even a cell phone camera - heck, many of them are pretty high resolution these days.
Digital cameras are pretty much the norm these days, with fewer and fewer people taking film photographs. Whether you want a large, professional SLR (single lens reflex) camera, or a point and shoot, today's camera features make it pretty hard to make a mistake.
For the crispest, cleanest shots, use a steady hand while focusing. Most cameras come with auto-focus, but even a slight wiggle will reduce the sharpness of your shot. Try bracing your shoulder against a building or tree and hold your elbows into your body to minimize shake. Ideally, use a tripod if you have one.
Want or need new camera equipment? With new camera models coming on the market frequently, you can often get amazing deals on eBay.
Where I Found Fall Colors
Drake Park: Bend, Oregon - 
Northwest Crossing: Bend, Oregon - 
Shevlin Park: Bend, Oregon - 
Black Butte Ranch: Oregon - 
Santiam Pass: Oregon - Comments
Thanks for the lovely photos. We see only two colors in my neck of the woods - south Florida. Bright green and not-so-bright green.
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Thanks BJ - I often dream about living someplace warmer, but this time of year is definitely beautiful in the cooler Northwest. Cheers, Stephanie
Steph - you are right about the quality of light in fall - it's so beautiful! And your photographs are lovely too!
Great pictures! Pond pictures are absolutely awesome!
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Thank you so much Dolores! Glad you enjoyed the fall photographs - I love sharing them!
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Thanks Wanderlust - the pond photographs are some of my favorite. Cheers!
I love the fir cone. Just beautiful.
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Thank you so much Suzie - I really love that one too! :)
Absolutely stunning photos, so beautiful to look at, thanks
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Thanks Carrie - glad you enjoyed the photos!
Stephanie, those are all gorgeous pictures. I wanna come to Bend. We are still trying to decide where to go when they tent our house in a couple of weeks. But I suppose Yreka could be just as colorful and not so far. The grape vines here in wine country are beginning to turn from green to rust color, and some of our trees are turning red. I think I enjoy fall color most where I'm able to see if in person -- wherever that may be.
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Hi WannaB, thanks so much! Yreka is only a few hours away from us. Its colorful and pretty - this region of the country is awesome! thanks much, Stephanie
See! I knew you would have some beautiful fall pictures of Oregon to share :).
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SweetiePie - you were right!! Thank you for the inspiration, as always! :)
Wonderful photos, Steph-- never been to the Pacific Northwest, but from these photos, I think your neck of the woods could give Vermont some serious competition:-)
Isn't our world just so gorgeous. At every turn there is something fantastic. Love the pictures, thank you for sharing your beautiful area.
Also love the new avatar, hope you and your gang are well
kindest regards Zsuzsy
Beautiful pictures. I used to live in Oregon--makes me miss it!
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Hi Robie, Zsuzsy and Kimball - thank you so much! Next to writing (and probably running), photography is my favorite past time! So enjoy the fall colors this time of year. I will have to plan a trip to New England sometime in the autumn, Robie, and you can show me around!
Wow! I love your photos! I wish I could visit and take pictures too!
Thanks very much for the visual feast Steph!
Good morning, Steph. I can't say anything. I love all the pictures above. I can see the positive energy from nature. I just saw all the beautiful of autumn from calendar or my television. But now I see this in reality. Good work , my friend. I give my Vote to you.
Blessing and hugs
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Thanks Jill - it is gorgeous here. Anyone who loves photography will love Oregon. Cheers, Steph
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Thank you so much prasetio! Nature is gorgeous here!
It has been said already: Great colors and pictures. Thanks for sharing!
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So glad you enjoyed the photos - thanks for stopping by dallas!
Beautiful photos Steph! Someday you'll have to come spend October in New England with us. :) Oregon looks equally breathtaking. Thank you for sharing your talent!
Great Photos you remind me of why I love fall beautiful great
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Thanks Amy - I would LOVE to come to New England in the fall.
William - thank you for stopping by. Glad you enjoyed the fall photographs!
Wow, gorgeous photos. Photography is a passion of mine, too. I would live to get the chance to visit Oregon someday with my camera in hand. It seems like such a beautiful place. I really enjoyed this Hubpage. Voted beautiful!
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Thank you Angela! I sure hope you can get to this neck of the woods someday. So much natural beauty. Its a photographer's dream. Cheers, Steph
Absolutely lovely! Thank you for sharing:)
Awesome photos! Awesome hub! Thank you SO much for sharing, I really enjoyed it all!!!
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Thank you LDSNana and erthfrend - so glad you enjoyed the autumn photographs!
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Thank you janetan - yes, it is a spiritual time of year, isn't it?
Great shots of beautiful trees. I have fond memories of the trees in NorCal's humboldt county, Russian river concerts and the Northeast's changing seasons. You are very fortunate to live nearby it every day. Maybe I'll get the family to move back to nature someday soon :-)
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Humboldt County is very pretty - I drove through last February. Thanks for stopping by to look at the trees! ;-) Steph
Breathtakingly gorgeous...wow! I hope you have these hanging in your home! I love the Fall!
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Thanks Marisue - actually, I do have a framed photo in my kitchen and another one in my dining room! ;-) Cheers, Steph
Ooh Steph, thanks for sharing such wonderful pictures of autumn, one of my favorite seasons. I love the colors of the leaves changing. Have you noticed however that the leaves are not as bright and vivid as they use to be. Humanity must stop the polluting in order to save the beauty of this earth. Again thanks for the 'oooh, aaah moment.' Rated awesome and beautiful. :)
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Thanks MG! You know, I have noticed that the leaves are not as bright and vivid! Definitely need to consider humans' role and pollution issues. Thank you for stopping by - Cheers, Stephanie
I have lived in Ohio all of my life. I LOVE the midwest.
I also LOVED all of your photos. You have given some very practical tips on taking good, quality photos. Thank you.
Beautiful hub and photographs. Thanks for sharing. :)
Calling it Beautiful may be an understatement. You have an eye to capturing one of the magnificent pieces that mother nature has to offer. Love it so much that have to bookmark them for frequent viewing to be thankful of all the goodness in life.
Rated it up and lovely hub.
Absolutely beautiful pictures. Each one is more beautiful than the last.
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Thank you so much for visiting and enjoying the fall photographs! best, Steph
It's really good to take photographs during fall...!
These photographs are stunning, Steph! WTG! Brilliant hub :)
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Thank you dan and Izzy! I really enjoyed getting outside and capturing the autumn colors.
OMG, Steph. Do you have another career in the works? Your photos are spectacular. You truly have the camera eye. Looking forward to seeing more of your observations through the lens.
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Sherri - you are too kind!! Thank you so much. When the snow starts falling, I am planning on creating another hub with winter colors photography. Cheers to you! Steph
Beautiful pictures! I love the beautiful autumn colors, specially the yellow. It's amazing to look at a tree still full of leaves, all yellow! I'm currently working on a hub of fall colors and recently published a winter hub of photographs! I love to photograph nature!
My friend, erthfrend highly recommended your hubs, I'm glad that she did! I look forward to more of your hubs!
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Thanks to you (and erthfrend)! Manny, I just discovered your winter photograph hub and its beautiful! I'm following you now, so I will see when you publish your fall colors hub. Have a great day, Steph
One of the moat beautiful hubs that I've ever seen. I am an artist and appreciate this very much. Wonderful pictures.
I agree Autumn is my favorite season too. Awesome photos!
Breathtaking beauty. I thought we had some nice color here in North Georgia. Not! I'm jealous.
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Thank you Rebecca, Robin and Whonunuwho,
Oregon is so beautiful this time of year! I am inspired to head out and take more photographs of the gorgeous fall colors. Best, Steph
Really good advice,tips and techniques and also some very inspiring Autumn Colour images that will inspire me.
Another same article i found here . just for share
Just returned to look at your gorgeous pictures once again. You are fortunate to have access to so much water to get those wonderful reflections.
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Thanks WannaB, yes - Drake Park here in Bend is just beautiful reflecting the autumn colors of the trees. Such a beautiful time of year. Cheers, Steph
Fantastic photographs. I look forward to visiting Oregon someday. Believe me if you ever get a chance to visit New Hampshire in the autumn, take it. It is really beautiful there.
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Absolutely! I have always dreamed of going to New England in Autumn to see the fall colors. I'm sure New Hampshire is divine! Best, Steph
Steph, Absolutely stunning photos of autumn's glorious colours! As a lover of water, I am especially drawn to your photos of autumnal foliage along the Deschutes River and Mirror Pond --- gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.
Such gorgeous photographs, stephhicks! Fall is my favorite season - with the crisp air and leaf piles. Too bad that winter always follows with its endless snow! The pictures of fall leaves over the water are simply breathtaking!
These are gorgeous photos. They are used as an example of the new slideshow view on the blog.
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Very awesome to hear, M.T. Thanks much, Steph
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Thank you Leah - I really love fall, too! In fact, Spring is my second favorite season and, while enjoying blooms today, I thought about the beautiful fall colors. All the best, Steph
Found my way here as the slide show of stunning photos in this hub are being used as an example of the new slide show.
Thoroughly enjoyed viewing these lovely images of fall.
Voted up across the board except for funny.
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That is so cool! Love to hear that the photographs are being shared/shown as a slideshow example. I do love fall! :)
I'm so glad I found your fall photo gallery today! What beautiful examples of fall foliage and colors! I particularly love the photographs with reflections of colors in the water- they are all so lovely!
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Thank you Stephanie! You take amazing photographs for your hubs, so I especially appreciate your comment. All the best, Steph
Mirror pond is always a good photographic subject.
Oregon is beautiful. Your photos are beautiful. I enjoyed your slide show as the sample of the new format. Bravo!
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Thanks Just_Rodney and JSParker! Appreciate you stopping by to see the photographs. Oregon is very beautiful. Best, Steph
Really enjoyed this, and it made me homesick for Central Oregon! Thanks especially for all the beautiful photos!
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Thank you PennyLu - no place like Central Oregon in the Autumn! Cheers, Steph
What a fabulous hub, I could look at these pictures all day long!
Wonderful, thank you and voted up!
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Thank you so much, Movie Master! It was a delight taking these photographs and putting the hub together. :) Best, Steph
@stephhicks68...Your photos are a visual treat! Outstanding work! They well demonstrate your attention to using light sources. You have beautiful country to work with in Oregon, and you have a professional's touch with the camera!
Personally, I'm located where companies suddenly think everyone works with digital photography these days and soon only digital versions will be available. I still use a regular 35mm throw away camera, and many of the results upload just beautifully on the Internet! The vastness of film service is about to end, however.
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Thank you Barb! I really appreciate your compliment. Photography has always been a hobby of mine. Years ago, I took a class and I have many books with "how tos," as well.
Ironically, when I took my photography class 90% of the class (myself included) only had 35mm film SLR cameras. The instructor was not prepared to teach us digital tricks. I think that was in 2000, or something. Boy, I feel old!
All the best, Steph
Autumn is is my favorite season! The pictures you posted are beautiful! Middle and upper Michigan have beautiful autumn colors as well, especially the Upper Peninsula!
Lovely photographs, especially the footbridge shot. Our community in Georgia always explodes into beautiful shades of yellow, orange and brown every autumn. I just wish the colorful leaves would stay on the trees a little longer!
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Thanks renee and Your Cousins - the leaves are so pretty here again, I am inspired to go out and take more photographs! Maybe a part-two hub on Autumn Colors. Appreciate the comments! Best, Steph
Just beautiful! It's a difficult decision, but I think I'll vote 4th from the last as my favorite. They are all striking--thanks for sharing. Now I want to have a day out with my camera tomorrow.
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Thank you! Of course, I had to scroll back up to see your favorite photo. Its been a beautiful autumn here in Oregon. I really do need to take some new photos this year. Fortunately, we are around and not too busy this weekend. Hope you get out with your camera, too! Best, Steph
Living in the southeast lends itself to beautiful fall colors and I live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I love this hub and your photos are spectacular. I particularly liked the simplicity of the pine branch photo. I'm not a photographer but you inspire me to try harder. Great hub. Voted up!
Great hub with lots of beautiful natural pictures. Good job stephhicks68. :)
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Thank you very much! Appreciate it!
Love your fotos stephhicks68 autumn are the months i have really missed being away from my home country england. Thanks for bringing autumn to my office today :-)
Stephanie, these photos are spectacular, great work! I was trying to choose a favorite as I scrolled down the list, but I kept seeing others of equal beauty so it wasn't possible to pick any one in particular. I am sure I was not the only one doing this as I read through lol.
I have been fortunate to experience fall beauty on both ends of this beautiful earth, and although I do love the fall scenes here in the United States, there is also the scent factor which I prefer in Australia. I suppose it's because the smell of things always invokes emotion, and I do get homesick from time to time.
Wonderful hub, shared, voted up & Tweet to you my friend:)
Enjoy your evening
Kerry
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Thank you so much Kerry! How fortunate for you to enjoy Autumn down under, as well. All the best, Steph
Awesome shots. I love my country (Philippines) but we only have rainy and dry season since we're tropical so it's very rare to find trees that have leaves that change color. I've always envied other countries that have the Fall season because of this.
Great collection :).
Very nice and attractive photograph of "Autumn". You have decorated this article well. I am from Bangladesh and I have the same problem like @truebluewriter. If I get any chance to visit those places then it will happen in my life also. Thanks a lot for your nice article.
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