Head out at Sunrise or Sunset

"The first and last hours of sunlight, often called the 'golden hour,' have this incredible quality to the light," says Lizzie. "That soft, golden glow brings the landscape to life – making those beautiful autumn colours pop."

"If you're shooting in the morning, it's even better because it's usually quieter, with fewer people around to disrupt your shot."

"During sunrise and sunset, the soft light really brings out textures, whether it's the intricate details and patterns of leaves or the rough bark on trees. Just remember, if you're experimenting with close-up macro photography, use a smaller aperture (higher f-stop) on your digital camera to keep more of the image in sharp focus, ensuring those fine textures are crisp."

Don’t be put off by Bad Weather

"Although it's easier said than done, don't let bad weather stop you from heading out," says Lizzie. "Autumn has this amazing way of giving you brilliant colours and contrast, even on those grey, overcast days. Bodies of water or woodlands are perfect spots to explore when it's foggy or gloomy."

"When you're out there, look for scenes that really stand out against their surroundings. In wooded areas or parks, the vibrant red and orange leaves create such a striking contrast against a moody grey sky."

"And don't forget about puddles! Reflections in puddles can make for incredible shots – just get down low, use a wide aperture to blur the edges, and focus on the reflection for a unique image."

Shoot Falling Leaves

Undoubtedly, one of nature's most beautiful times of year is when the rich, vibrantly coloured leaves start to fall.

Lizzie says: "Some of my favourite things to shoot during this time of year are the leaf-covered canals, streams, and woodland trails. The fallen leaves not only add texture and a pop of colour to your photos, but they can also convey motion."

A windy day is a great time to capture the motion of falling leaves. To do this, Lizzie recommends adjusting your camera's shutter speed: "To freeze the motion of leaves as they flutter through the air, use a fast shutter speed – something around 1/1000 of a second or faster. This will capture the leaves in mid-air, preserving all the sharp details."

Adjust your white balance

"For those moments when your photos need a little help to capture the mood, it's worth experimenting with your white balance settings," explains Lizzie. "If you're trying to enhance the warm, golden glow of a sunrise or sunset, you'll want to increase the white balance."

"More advanced cameras, like mirrorless and DSLRs, allow you to manually adjust this by raising the Kelvin value (K). You can do this through your camera's settings menu – usually under the 'white balance' option – where you'll either see a 'Kelvin' setting or a custom white balance slider."

Experiment with Filters

"If there's one thing you should add to your kit bag this autumn, it's a circular polarising filter," says Lizzie. "These filters, which attach to the front of your lens, reduce the amount of reflected light that reaches your camera's sensor, which in turn enhances the natural colours in your scene."

"For example, light reflecting off surfaces like water or leaves can create a washed-out, hazy effect that dulls colours. By rotating the polarising filter, you can block out certain angles of reflected light, making the blues of the sky deeper, and greens and autumnal colours in trees and foliage appear richer and more vibrant."

"Just keep in mind that using this filter will reduce the amount of light entering your lens by about 1 to 3 stops, depending on the brand and strength of the filter. This basically means your camera will need to adjust to compensate for the reduced light, which might require a slower shutter speed, wider aperture, or higher ISO."

Capture autumn wildlife

Autumn is a fantastic time to photograph wildlife, especially if you're heading to your local park.

"One of the best things about autumn is the abundance of wildlife activity," says Lizzie. "Squirrels are busy gathering food for the winter, and you might even spot deer in rural parks or forests. Plus, birds like robins and blackbirds are easier to see as the trees shed their leaves."

"Early mornings or late afternoons are ideal times to capture these animals in the soft, golden light. Not only is the light more flattering, but animals tend to be more active at sunrise and sunset, offering great photography opportunities. It's also usually quieter during these times, reducing the chances of spooking them."

"This Hoya Circular Polarising Filter is a great addition to your photography toolkit this autumn," says Lizzie. "Its high-quality optical glass and 18 coated layers provide exceptional light transmission, which helps bring out the rich autumn colours."

"It's perfect for enhancing contrast in blue skies and eliminating reflections from wet leaves or water, making those crisp autumn landscapes really stand out."

Plus, the water-repellent and stain-resistant coating means you can shoot worry-free in unpredictable autumn weather.

 

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The Billingham Small Camera Bag holds a small to medium-size DSLR or mirrorless camera and 2 to 3 small to medium lenses. It's a great pick for autumn photography outings. Lizzie explains why: "The waterproof fabric and leather trim make it ideal for protecting your gear if the weather takes a turn, and it's stylish enough to carry around while exploring a city. It's also compact and lightweight, so you won't feel weighed down while you're walking around looking for the perfect shot."

"Plus, the padded insert keeps your camera and lenses safe, and you can adjust the dividers to fit your setup."

This camera bag is a fantastic blend of style, practicality, and weather protection!

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"The Canon EF 75-300mm III is a fantastic lens for autumn wildlife photography," says Lizzie. "Its telephoto zoom range, offering long focal lengths, allows you to capture wildlife from a distance without disturbing the animals – perfect for getting those natural, candid shots of nature."

The lightweight and compact design makes it ideal for long walks in the woods or parks during autumn, and the fast auto-focus ensures you won't miss any action, like birds mid-flight or squirrels foraging.

It's also an affordable option, making it an excellent choice for photographers looking to explore wildlife photography without breaking the bank.

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An ultra-wide-angle lens is ideal for autumn photography because it allows you to capture vast landscapes with rich seasonal colours and dramatic skies. The wide field of view showcases the full beauty of autumnal forests, parks, or mountains, pulling in more of the scene than a standard lens would.

Lizzie explains why this Nikon ultra-wide-angle model is a good choice: "The compact design makes it perfect for long autumn walks, and the wide-angle zoom range helps capture the beauty of expansive landscapes and intricate seasonal details."

"The vibration reduction feature also ensures you can capture clear, sharp images during golden hour when slower shutter speeds are needed due to lower light conditions."

 

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Binoculars are a good idea for autumn wildlife photography because they allow you to spot animals clearly before you even reach for your camera.

Lizzie says, "These Olympus binoculars have 8x magnification and bright, crisp optics, so you can easily scan the landscape for birds or squirrels, even in low-light conditions. Plus, they're waterproof and compact, making them ideal for long hikes in unpredictable autumn weather."

To learn more, read our binoculars buying guide.

 

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