8 Top Tips for Autumn Wildlife Photography
Autumn offers many incredible opportunities for wildlife photographers. From warm colours and fascinating backdrops to foggy mornings and soft light, the autumn season is a great time to take out your camera and capture new and exciting wildlife images.
In this article, we’ll explore how to improve your autumn wildlife photography and discover ways to secure stand-out images of your favourite species during this captivating season.
1. How to find wildlife in Autumn
Autumn can be very productive for the keen wildlife photographer. The lower angle of the sun during this season means you can shoot for longer periods of the day without worrying as much about the harshness of light and shadows, and this ‘softer’ light makes for ideal wildlife portraits.
It’s always worth being out during the golden hours, when the light is most beautiful, and animals are most active.
Berries, nuts, and seeds are often plentiful during this season, so you may notice fewer birds in your garden or around your feeder, as they stock up for winter on naturally sourced food.
Many mammals may also be found around their favoured food sources as they prepare for the colder months.
Head out to your local natural areas to see what you can find. You may want to set up camera traps or wildlife cams to track what animals are visiting that spot, and at what time of day.
Natural habitats such as hedgerows and woodlands play host to a myriad of species, and bodies of water such as lakes or ponds may also attract wildlife. Water can also offer opportunities for great reflections of autumn colour.
While wildlife is often found in less populated areas, urban wildlife can also provide exciting photography opportunities, so don’t overlook the potential of urban environments.
Read more: How to Take Impacting Portraits of Wildlife
2. Be prepared for low light photography
In this darker, moodier season, you must be prepared for shooting in low light situations more often. Brush up on your low light photography skills, and get friendly with your camera settings to make the most of these moments.
Ensure you are using a wide aperture to let in as much light as possible when necessary.
Long lenses designed for wildlife photography can drop down to f/2.8, but if your lens cannot open that wide, you may need to adjust your other settings to allow more light into your images. This could include slowing your shutter speed and/or increasing your ISO.
Using a shallow depth of field will also create a blurred effect behind your subject, allowing it to stand out from the backdrop.
If you need to use slower shutter speeds, consider using a tripod to reduce camera shake and increase the sharpness of your images.
Don’t shy away from low-light situations. You may find yourself thinking outside the box and coming away with atmospheric images that truly capture the essence of this season!
Read more: Backlighting in Wildlife Photography – Creative Use of Light
3. Understand autumnal animal behaviour
It is important to research the behaviour of the species you hope to photograph at this time of year. As the seasons change, some animals will be preparing for migration or hibernation, while others may exhibit unique behaviours as part of their mating rituals.
Some birds will undergo changes in plumage, and many will migrate. If you live in an area with milder winters, migratory birds may arrive at this time of year to wait out the cold in your region.
You may also witness notable wildlife events during this season, such as the red deer rut in the UK, which offers an incredible photography experience. Two standout locations to witness this seasonal spectacle include:
At this time of year, many animals are preparing for winter by searching for food and lying low. Understanding the natural history of your subjects will give you the best chance of finding and photographing them during this changeable season.
Previsualization is important in all seasons of wildlife photography, and by observing and predicting animal behaviour, you will be better equipped to make the most of this dynamic time.
Read more: Wildlife Photography – Understanding Animal Behaviour for Better Images
4. Improve your fieldcraft
Autumn is an essential season for honing your wildlife photography fieldcraft. As plants turn brown, camouflage becomes even more crucial.
Blending into your environment will help you avoid startling wildlife. Use natural cover, wear neutral-coloured clothing, and move quietly to get closer to your subjects without disturbing them.
Follow these helpful tips before heading out on autumn wildlife adventure:
- Consider dressing in browns and greens
- Wear fabrics that don’t create noise when you move
- Covering as much of your face as possible can also help you blend in
- You might also consider using camouflage for your lens. There are various lens covers and wraps available, or you could use vinyl tape.
Read more: How to Build a Photography Hide
5. Use autumnal colours and textures in your images
One of the most exciting aspects of autumn wildlife photography is the extensive palette of warm colours it provides. Golden trees and red and orange leaves allow for incredible tonal variation in your images – colours that are difficult to find at other times of the year.
Think about how to incorporate these colours into your shots and how they might complement the colours of your subjects. For example, you might pair the auburn hues of a fox’s coat with fallen leaves or the reddish breast of a robin with a red-clad tree.
The possibilities for complementary colour combinations are endless; let your creativity take over!
If your backdrop feels too busy, bokeh can be a great way to soften a bright background. Drop down your aperture and experiment with how the distance between your subject and the background affects the patterns and vibrancy of the bokeh.
You may also want to try using leaves as foreground elements to add an immersive, artistic feel to your images. By getting low to the ground or positioning part of a tree to partially obscure your subject, you can create a scene that makes the viewer feel like they’re really there!
Read more: A Guide to Colour Photography for Wildlife Photographers
6. Use bad weather
While autumn often brings more rainy days, ‘bad’ weather can still provide excellent opportunities for wildlife photography.
Grey and stormy skies make for dramatic backdrops, and raindrops can add texture and intrigue to your images. You might even try using long exposure techniques to showcase the movement of the rain, creating a streaking effect across the scene that captures the season’s atmosphere.
Misty, blue mornings are also common in autumn and can be used to your advantage in wildlife shots. Try silhouetting your subject in these low-light situations and adjust your white balance to help bring out the cooler tones for a mysterious, moody effect.
Early frosts can also provide a winter wonderland atmosphere for your images. You’ll need to rise early to catch this effect, as the frost will start to melt as the sun rises, but it’s worth it for the magic it can add to a composition.
Read more: 12 Ways to Evoke Emotion in Your Wildlife Photos
7. Work with movement
Autumn is a great time to get creative with your wildlife photography. With the ever-changing weather, many animals are in constant motion.
Here in the UK, autumn is marked by large flocks of starlings sweeping through the skies and the calls of geese flying in their characteristic “V” formation.
Photographing birds in flight provides excellent opportunities to experiment with capturing movement. Explore long exposure techniques or intentional camera movement, such as panning, to capture the essence of motion.
Paired with autumn’s brilliant colours, these shots can add a new level of creativity and artistic intrigue to your portfolio.
Read more: Composition in Wildlife Photography – Getting Creative
8. Enhance mood and atmosphere in post-processing
Post-processing techniques for autumn wildlife photography are ultimately a matter of personal preference.
Here are some ways to enhance your images and capture the season’s essence:
- Consider emphasizing the warm tones in images with autumn leaves. While nature photography aims to capture the beauty of the natural world, highlighting warmer colours can enhance the atmosphere of a scene, bringing out the reds, oranges, and yellows.
- Adjusting colour saturation and vibrancy, in general, can enhance foliage, and dodge-and-burn techniques can be used to brighten or darken specific areas. You may want to use this technique on the eyes of your animal subject to help bring out their facial expression and character or use it to highlight or draw attention away from parts of the background.
- Increase the overall contrast in your autumn wildlife images if needed, as fine-tuning shadows and highlights can create a more dramatic scene. You may find this a particularly effective technique to experiment with in misty or foggy shots, where the basic image can feel a little bland.
In conclusion
Autumn offers endless opportunities for wildlife photography, leaving any nature photographer excited about the season’s arrival!
Be prepared for changeable weather, do your research on your favourite species, and don’t be afraid to get creative with colour. By the time winter arrives, the vibrant tones of autumn should leave you with some standout wildlife photos.
And don’t forget to reward yourself with a hot drink as you review your images and select the best ones when you get back home.
Enjoy!
