Amazing Autumn

From autumn skies and apple pies to shorter days and misty mornings, whatever the most colourful season of the year brings you,there’s an abundance of subjects to aim your camera at.The warm autumn alpalette gifts a spectacular display for outdoor and portrait photographers, nature photographers have lots to look forward to, while still-life photographers can set about for suitable subjects. Whatever your preference, the soft light, intense sunsets and crisp, cool days mean you’ll never be stuck for things to shoot. So as we realise you’re spoilt for choice ,we’ve gathered a few gems to get you started…

- Caroline Schmidt

1. Park life

While not the most exciting creatures in the animal kingdom, squirrels, hedgehogs and dormice are active at this time of year. A telephoto or telezoom is essential for shooting frame filling images – aim for a focal length of 300mm, or better still 400mm, or more. A lens like the NIKKOR AF-P 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G or AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G VR is ideal. Visiting parks or woodland early in the morning, when it’s quietest and the light is softest, is often the best time to capture wildlife feeding and drinking, but you may have better luck with an evening session if you’re on the look out for hedgehogs. Good focusing technique is paramount, especially when photographing fast moving subjects like squirrels. To compose subjects off centre, try to practise techniques such as back-button focusing (AF-ON/AF-Lock) and set your camera to also shoot in AF continuous shooting mode to increase your chance of success. Some wildlife centres and sanctuaries hold photography days too if you’d like to photograph autumn animals but lack the time and patience.

2. On a bed of leaves