autumn – Different Isn't Wrong, It's Just Different

When most people think of fall colors, red, orange and yellow leaves on trees comes to mind. What about flowers? Do all flowers just fade away and go to seed? Autumn color isn’t always leaves.

About a month ago my limelight hydrangeas started showing signs of pink petals. A sure sign that autumn color was starting. The view from my kitchen window late in the afternoon, during golden hour was beautiful. The limelight hydrangea tree planted intentionally in full view of my kitchen window, was stunning. Each day I kept telling myself to grab my camera and go outside and make some images. Finally one Sunday I told myself to get outside before missing the beautiful different shades of pinks on the delicate petals. The golden light in autumn is so warm and soft here in southeast Iowa making the shades of pink really pop.

Using only nature light, I was able to make several images. Moving around the tree made it possible to have sidelight, backlight and even full shade. There are three limelight hydrangea bushes in my front yard too and a few of the flowers still had pink petals. Some of the flowers had already lost all color due to some cold nights. The top of one flower still had creamy petals that were backlit during the golden hour and looked as if they were being kissed by the sun.

With a strong sidelight, you can darken the background and show off your subject as in the photo below.

The warm golden hour light amplified the autumn color of the petals. Some of the petals were past peak color, creating more warm color.

At times the clouds moved in creating a natural diffuser and I took advantage of the soft even light.

My favorite image was even light on the hydrangea flower and the background lit by the warm late afternoon light.

Do you ever notice autumn color of flowers? Do you notice that autumn color isn’t always leaves?

Last autumn I found a beautiful red maple tree in a local park, Saunders Park. I made a few photographs of the tree and this year was anxious to photograph the tree again. Same tree you ask? Yes, the same tree, but from a different perspective. A good challenge for me, something along the lines of shooting an iconic location, but trying to make a different image than everyone else.

Here are my images from last year.

Brilliant red maple tree on a foggy morning at Saunders Park in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa

Red Maple Tree on a cloudy day at Saunders Park in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa

And the view below, was not to be seen this year. The summer was unseasonably hot, September unseasonably dry. Many of the trees tried to show off their autumn color, but didn’t have enough energy. Instead, they focused on surviving and allowing their leaves to turn brown and drop.

A view through the leaves at Saunders Park in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa

I thought my favorite red maple tree may turn brown as well. But the beautiful red maple tree prevailed and my personal challenge was on! Now, to photograph the tree from a different perspective. A challenge as it is a local park and some of the background I consider to be distracting.

Red maple tree at Saunders Park, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa

The above images were made with my DSLR. One day while walking with Madison, I thought how can I photograph this tree different with my iPhone. Using a different camera added to my challenge. Could I have used a different lens with my DSLR to add to my challenge, yes, but I chose not to. Maybe next year.

To see a larger version of the red maple tree images made with my DSLR, you may click on any of the images below. To purchase a print of any of the images in the below gallery, please click here. The same red maple tree in autumn, different perspectives, light and camera make for different images. Do you have a favorite? Leave me a comment!