Autumn is a favourite season for many photographers, most notably landscape and nature enthusiasts. The transformative power of the seasonal colour is not to be underestimated and even locations that have been shot many times can look completely different when shrouded in golden light, fiery vegetation and atmospheric weather conditions.
One of the biggest challenges of the season for a photographer is actually remaining focused on the images we want to create. There are so many opportunities for incredible photography that it encourages a ‘shoot and run’ mentality – capturing as many shots as possible and quickly moving on to the next position. This isn’t a particularly considered approach and rarely yields the best possible compositions from every potential subject.
The greatest skill a pro photographer has in this situation is the ability to look beyond simply the autumnal colours and see the impact it has on the surroundings. With experience, we learn to identify what it is about autumn that produces an emotional response in our viewers. With that knowledge, we can work to create shots that double down on those elements, capturing the essence of the season.
In this instalment of our Pro Masterclass series, Ross Hoddinott explores each facet of autumnal landscapes and explains his process for finding, presenting and shooting outdoor images at the most colourful time of the year. You’ll learn which subjects work best and where to find them, the best accessories for
