Shooting Fall Color in Normal Daylight

I was just wondering when many of you will decide to stop shooting the fall color when not in shade, clouds or any other thing that dramtically helps it out.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I have a different taste for light than others, but aspens have extended shooting hours available by way of strong sidelight and backlight (they can really glow). If the light sucks, move to the other side of the tree(s) When photographing aspens, for only a few hours around high noon do I find the light less usable.

I usually do my scouting between 11a and 3pm, when the light is harshest. The only exceptions are if it's overcast (which I've only been blessed with once in 8 years of visiting the Eastern Sierra!) or if it's cloudy. If there are enough clouds in the sky, you can usually wait until one is between the sun and your subject to get some even lighting.

However, take my advice with a grain of salt. In my years of travelling to the east side, I've never got an aspen picture that I'm truly thrilled with. I’m hoping that this will be my year!!!

Mostly I go to get refueled by the mountains, the peace and quiet, and that amazing smell of walnuts that the thick aspen groves give off! Hooo boy I’m getting excited for this weekend!!!

Steve, I usually find the fall color thing a bit more forgiving at times over "prime time" shooting as it were. Especially right in the groves as MG has pointed out. It does get more into close-up shooting and working angles on the light over normal panoramic shooting. Also, if the light is harsh you are still in a scouting mode while inside the groves too in review of the scenes for better lighting overall. I have actually seen shots taken at 2 in the afternoon that came out great.

Steve, interesting topic of discussion. I normally like to do the grand scenic type shots during the golden hours.

Then if/when it is really bright I head for the trees and streams. One thing that really helps me in this case in a high powered ND filter. I use a B+W 8x ND which allows me to shoot in bright sun light while still slowing the water down.

Here is an example: http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Fall/San-Juans-Fall-2007/3956834_hM8yo#230193088_SuHCL-A-LB

Derek

I prefer to shoot aspens in the morning hours. The light is softer (but generally cooler), and the diurnal upslope/upcanyon winds are usually very light to nonexistent.

I agree with MG regarding back light and side lighting. Back light with a clear blue sky can make for a wonderful shot; the leaves glow, and are set off nicely by the blue. With sidelight, you can realize some nice texture in the trunks and branches.

As Paul, said, you can wander deep into the groves to find shaded areas that can be conducive to nice shots. Also, deep in the groves, with sunlight above, the light will have a very strong yellow component. The affect can very interesting on ground plans, trunks and branches. Watch out for those pesky sunbeams coming through the canopy causing pools of very bright light on the forrest floor; they will blow out.

Have fun and experiment, Steve; pixels are cheap these days!

-P

Thanks for the suggestions. I know there are plenty of canyons up there so finding shade shouldn't be a problem if I'm late morning or early afternoon. So when it's harsh out there just let the shadows go black? That's what I'm mostly wondering if that's what is done most of the time since the DR isn't possible at that time.

If the sky is a nice blue then perhaps a landscape shot would be nice. Otherwise backlighting as Michael says.

Ok wow, I didn't know but I spent a lot longer playing in Bishop Creek last year than I though I did that shot here was taken at 11:46 am. There is a little bit of clipping but that was the old 5D so not sure if there is better dynamic range in the sensor of the new 5D. This is a raw file with the contrast set to 0 in canon's software that came with the camera. There is a just a bit of clipping on the histogram. I guess I just put my foot in my mouth since there seems to be well enough dynamic range here. I'll have to set my alarm so I don't miss the group meet up.

Steve: here are two photos of mine, both from the Bishop Creek Canyons, both made during hours outside what most would call "sweet".

http://www.michael-gordon.com/photo.php?id=22&gallery=mountains
Preston was standing right next to me!
http://michaelegordon.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/20080928_5831.jpg

I would suggest that if the light appears to be "bad", you're just taking in too big a view or standing/looking at the wrong side of the trees

Excellent images, Michael. Those are two beautifully captured aspen scenes.

How, cool, MG! It's one of my favorites of yours. If memory serves, that was in 2005, the day after that magical Sierra Wave sunset. Also, if I remember correctly, this shot was on color neg film.

-P

"So when it's harsh out there just let the shadows go black?

If the dynamic range is great, and you want to hold the high values, you'll really have no choice; the low values will go black because that is where they will fall on the exposure scale. If that's the case, look for shots where very deep shadow values are small in extent, or, if they are large, look for ways to incorporate these areas so that the composition is balanced.

-P

Very Sweet shots Michael and nice way to bring home your point.

Steve, I agree with your second take on the image above - very nice and plenty to work with especially from a 5D RAW.

Derek

Well Steve, every scene and situation is different. I'm one who will shoot all day long if I can. Granted, all the things that have already mentioned come in to play during mid day, but there is always something worthy of snapping that shutter release. Mid day, high, bright sun... head for a grove of aspen and shoot the canopy - sun stars, back lighting, etc. etc.

As far as your example here, it looks like you've captured the range pretty well. I'm not sure it would be one that I would have tackled with film, but the backlit leaves are looking pretty good.

And you mentioned about setting your alarm so you won't miss the group meeting... well, I may post this in another thread, but I'm thinking that for those who want to shoot on Sunday morning as part of a group, Preston and myself and I'm assuming Paul will be working the JLL, probably between Grant Lake and the Aerie Crag parking area. I'll post it elsewhere. but there's tons of open space and places along Rush creek to photograph and the nice thing about that area is that the sun won't hit that side of the canyon walls until nearly 11am anyway. And then we'll be just a couple miles from the meeting place at Silver Lake.

Anyway, shoot what you love and to heck with all the rules.

Lon

THANKS for those nice comments, folks.

Preston: I do believe that you are right about the year (confirmed it with dates on workshop materials) of that image. I'm thinking it was THE DAY of the Sierra Wave, since I made both images on the day that we concluded our workshop. Film: you're right again: it was the old Fuji NPS 160 (now Pro 160S).

Looking forward to seeing you on Thursday! Been looking at Cory's webcam today?

This shot was taken in the afternoon on my scout last weekend in Lundy Canyon. Many of the canyons on the East side especially northward are east, west facing and full of light most of the day. If not and it's not a broad canyon it's going to be in shadow most of the day, then I would guess you would want to find light colored rock that would act as a reflector and bounce light down. Since the day is usually about 12 hours plus and the magic hours add up to about 3 hours per day, that leaves 9 hours of quote unquote harsher light. Just like you I'm trying to learn to deal with it. There's a really nice cascade just below the beaver dam in Lundy Canyon that might have dappled shaded light around midday its really close to the road and surrounded by Aspens.

I pretty much echo what MG said.

This was an interesting thread to read. I guess I'll have to reconsider my options in the future.

Man... all this aspen talk is killing me. And the snow reports. Really wish I could meet up with you all this weekend, but the people that pay me to have fun would be disappointed if I didn't show up. I'm really hoping some trees with have something left for me the next weekend...

Michael - thanks for sharing, I was very familiar with your first shot, but hadn't seen the 2nd one before. I love it when we can make use of light that is generally considered 'taboo'.

I believe it's possible to make compelling images at any time of day, you just have to know what to look for where, and from what angle. Even at midnight
midnight aspen

Floris, I said I'd seen good captures by folks at 2 in the afternoon, after seeing your midnight capture it must mean there is at least 24 hours to perform our work in each day. Another very nice one indeed.

Thanks Paul!

it must mean there is at least 24 hours to perform our work in each day

I know, isn't it wonderful?! There's just not enough hours in the day to shoot, eat, sleep, drive, make a living, and live a life!

Thanks for the feedback gang. This should help with my slight phobia of trees and give midday cave photography.

Michael, Nice examples and very nice mountain portfolio. Consolidate backlight and surround with shadowed background, sounds too easy. We'll see.

Lon, definitely start that post. A few of will be camping up in Lee Vining Canyon and that sounds good as it's easy to get carried away.

Floris, It would be cool to have you there. I'll let you know what where the Mon & Tues color is.