Pack the frame with colour 1 PACK THE FRAME WITH COLOUR

Set a wide aperture and create a frame effect that combines a focal point for the eye with an autumnal wash of colour

For vibrant, high-impact shots of autumn colours, overcast or even damp days are perfect. Although this seems counter-intuitive, a blanket of cloud provides low-contrast lighting and avoids the problems of extreme light and shade that sunny days bring.

Low-contrast conditions allow you to concentrate on two vital elements: how you arrange the shapes in the scene to create your composition, and how much of the scene you hold in sharp focus. By carefully adjusting your camera position, you can shoot through leaves close to the lens and create a natural frame that not only acts as a boundary to hem in the scene, but also subtly leads the viewer’s eye into your shot.

Use a short-to-medium telephoto lens (around 70 to 200mm). In Aperture Priority mode (A or Av on the mode dial), set a wide aperture value, such as f/2.8 or f/4. This will give a shallow depth of field: by focusing on the more distant leaves in the centre, you can diffuse your natural frame into a blurry wash of colour.