It's important to note that the best camera is the one you have with you! Don’t limit yourself just because you may not have top-of-the-line gear. Even if all you have at your disposal is a smartphone, you can still get beautiful images by seeking out good lighting and a unique composition.

If you are shooting with your smartphone, stop in at Arts Cameras Plus and pick up a Promaster Mobile Lens Kit to enhance your phone's camera. This kit includes several lenses - a universal wide angle, fisheye, macro, telephoto, and most importantly, circular polarizing lens (CPL). A CPL will work wonders when shooting fall colors because it reduces any glare that appears in the image. This results in deep blue skies and rich, saturated leaves. 

If you own a bridge camera or a DSLR, you can also purchase a CPL filter for your lens. Any Art’s associate would be happy to find the right CPL filter size for you! Shooting on a cloudless day gives you blue and orange, which are complementary colors on the color wheel, meaning the colors “vibrate” when put next to each other. Utilizing a CPL when shooting in autumn really enhances these colors to create an aesthetically pleasing, colorful photo.

Other gear you may want to consider is a sturdy tripod, a shutter remote, and a rain cover for the camera. If you’re shooting a portrait, a gold reflector would be perfect to keep the warm tones consistent throughout the photo.

Your Location

It’s now time to figure out where you will shoot. When choosing a location, keep in mind that some public parks require permits if you plan on doing portrait photography. Simply search online for your city’s park photography rules to find out what the restrictions are. Sometimes its more fun to spend a little extra time scouting out obscure locations in order to have your photos stand out from others.

The Time of Day



Shooting right before and right after the sun sets or rises will give you soft, yet directional lighting. To get even softer light, plan to shoot on an overcast day. Make sure to give yourself enough time to set up your gear before shooting. If you plan on shooting closer to the beginning or the end of the day, your lighting will be changing quickly and constantly, so make sure you're prepared to adjust your camera settings to accommodate.

Your Subject

If the trees still have plenty of colorful fall leaves on them, sometimes a landscape photo is the best way to go. But don't be afraid to get up close and personal, trying macro shots of leaves, bugs or critters! No matter what kind of perspective you go for with your pictures, your photos are sure to come out warm and beautiful thanks to the seasonal colors. This time of year is also perfect for capturing family holiday photos or pictures of your pets or kids! 

All that’s left to do is get out and shoot! And don’t forget to print out your masterpieces to show all your friends and family. Have fun and get creative!