Fiery colour fills gardens, parks and woodland, misty mornings give way to the first frosts, and the countryside is alive with harvest festivals and foraging wildlife. Whether you love magical landscapes or eerie houses, you can learn how to take a great picture by following this guide.
Still life
The signs of autumn are everywhere, and you can create an eye-catching still life image using just a few natural objects. Look out for apples, pumpkins, wildflowers, fungi, conkers, leaves and berries. Use props to create different atmospheres. Books and blankets can be used to create a cosy scene, while cobwebs and foliage in windows add mystery.
Beginner's tip: Keep it simple. Don’t make the image too busy with lots of different subjects that will be competing for attention. Instead, just pick one and make it your focus. Make use of the patterns found in nature. Leaves in the background give a sense of the season, while frost and raindrops add texture.
Tech tip: A shallow depth of field will emphasise your subject, whether it’s a sweet chestnut or a blackberry. A wide aperture will help you achieve this, so choose a small number on your aperture settings. Between f/2.8 and f/5.6 is usually best.