Autumn is a spectacular time for landscape photography. The colors are vivid, the atmosphere is dynamic, and the changing light brings countless opportunities for creative expression.
Coming to you from Toma Bonciu, this insightful video walks through key strategies for capturing the essence of autumn in your landscape photography. Bonciu discusses the importance of color, a fundamental but often overlooked element. Sure, autumn is synonymous with color, but his advice goes deeper: wait for the right light. It’s easy to get caught up in the beauty of the scene and forget that lighting can make or break your shot. Early morning or late afternoon light enhances the vibrancy of fall colors, as seen in his images where he uses sunrise to backlight leaves, making them pop.
Another concept explored in the video is negative space. Bonciu suggests using simple backgrounds to highlight bursts of color, a technique that works across various photography genres. He shows how a group of trees, supported by a diagonal line, can create a powerful focal point. The surrounding negative space allows the color and subject to stand out. This advice encourages you to focus on simplicity, letting the colors shine without distractions. It’s a method that can elevate even the most straightforward scenes.
In addition to color and composition, Bonciu emphasizes the value of spending more time outdoors during autumn. As a professional landscape photographer, he shares how easy it is to get caught up in post-processing, marketing, and other non-shooting activities. However, autumn is short-lived, and its fleeting beauty deserves as much of your attention as possible. Bonciu advises leaving the editing for later and maximizing your time in the field while the fall colors are at their peak. The photos he presents are reminders of what can be missed if you wait too long to act.
Bonciu’s passion for foggy forests also shines through in this video. Fog simplifies the landscape, eliminating clutter and allowing for more dramatic compositions. His ongoing series “Stories of the Forest” captures the moody, mystical atmosphere of fog-laden woodlands, offering a more interpretive approach to landscape photography. It’s a reminder that landscape photography is not just about capturing what you see but also interpreting what the scene could be. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Bonciu.
And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out our latest tutorial, "Photographing the World: Japan With Elia Locardi!"
