Fall Foliage: Capturing Nature's Transformation

By Jonathan Eggleston, for Real WV

As summer gives way to the crisp embrace of autumn, an awesome transformation will soon take center stage across landscapes far and wide.

The fall foliage season, renowned for its vibrant hues and picturesque views, emerges as a visual spectacle that has many people eagerly anticipating its arrival each year.

With landscapes glowing in shades of red, orange, and gold, the fall season proves to be a favorite time for photographers to showcase their skills and capture nature’s beauty.

Fall provides a canvas like no other. The landscape, once lush and green, undergoes a steady transformation that serves to remind us of the changing seasons.

As leaves transition from their summer shades to the vivid tones of autumn, the scenery comes alive with a palette of colors that can seem almost otherworldly.

Most Photographers embrace the opportunity to document this display of natural beauty, trying their best to capture the essence of the season.

Along with a few of my photographer friends, David S Johnston, Jesse Thornton and Dave Green, we have managed to seize the magic of peak foliage over the past few years, producing a collection of images that showcase WV during this magical time.

To ensure that others don’t miss the peak of fall colors this year, I offer everyone a few valuable tips:

Track the Timing:

Keep an eye on local foliage reports and forecasts. Many online resources provide real-time updates on the progression of fall colors in different regions. This can help you plan your excursions for the optimal time. Here is a simple map showing different regions of WV and when you can expect to see the best colors, (based on when this story was written).

Explore Diverse Locations:

While iconic spots may draw crowds, (especially during this time) don’t overlook lesser-known locations. Explore different landscapes such as parks, forests, lakeshores, and mountains to discover unique settings for your shots.

Here is a panorama image captured at moncove lake in Monroe Co. from an angle that showcases the beautiful reflections of the trees onto the lake.

Golden Hour Magic:

The hours just after sunrise and before sunset, often referred to as the “golden hour,” offer soft, warm light that can enhance the colors of the foliage and add depth to your images.

This image showcases Dolly Sods just as the rising sun illuminates the Autumn landscape.

6 panel Panorama Image captured by photographer David S. Johnston using a Canon R5 camera and 24-70mm lens

Weather Awareness:

Weather conditions play a crucial role in the intensity of fall colors. Clear, sunny days can make the colors appear more vibrant, while overcast days can offer a softer, more diffused light for subtler shots, (My personal favorite).

Here is an image of a simple foggy morning scene with a lovely bridge that showcases the soft light adding some atmosphere and depth to the landscape.

Experiment with Composition:

Play with different angles, perspectives, and compositions to create visually striking images. Noticing certain elements like reflections, leading lines, and foreground interest can add depth to your photos, allowing your images to really stand out, presented here by Mr Dave Green

Don’t Forget About the Details:

While grand landscapes are captivating, don’t overlook the smaller details. Close-up shots of individual leaves, patterns, and textures can provide a unique perspective and can also be really fun!

Here is an image captured by photographer Jesse Thornton, perfectly displaying the color of the leaves in a creative way.

Melting daylight glazes the variegated leaves of the huckleberry bushes across the plain of Dolly Sods.

So, As the days progressively grow shorter and the air blows crisper, the fall season draws near, promising us yet another opportunity to capture the magic of nature’s transformation.

This season, let us all try to embrace the spell-binding allure of West Virginia in its most beautiful attire and remind ourselves how special we are to call this place our home!

Big shout out to David S. Johnston, Dave Green and Jesse Thornton for allowing me to showcase some of their beautiful work!

You can check out their pages by clicking the links below. They do some truly amazing work! https://www.facebook.com/david.s.johnston.92?mibextid=ZbWKwL
https://www.facebook.com/jesse.thornton3?mibextid=ZbWKwL
https://instagram.com/dave_has_a_camera?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==