This past weekend in the Eastern Sierra, the calendar turned a page and fall descended upon the region. There is now that chill in the air in the morning that lingers once the sun rises making one seek its light and warmth. Critters seem to take an extra minute to sleep in, rising only once they can take advantage of the mellow light to remove the nights chill. The Aspens in the meadow have just one or two yellow leaves. And the light itself, it’s turned the corner so even at noon, it wraps around all it touches so even the shadows seem inviting. This past weekend it all came together in one visual poem saying fall is in the works.
If there is a time of the year I look forward to more than any other at home, it’s now, fall. It’s hard to stay focused, itching to get out and walk amongst the trees and watch the small critters as they go at panic speed to store their last seeds before the snow hits (which they are saying might be this weekend). We’ve been cruising the region trying to get a feel when the storm of color might hit and all we know is it will be early and it will go fast. You need two important things for great fall color, lots of water and a good cold snap. We’re not had the water over the entire region but this weekend we should be having the perfect cold snap. That means that the Aspens along lakes and creeks that do get the water, it should be good. I’m hoping for the “grander” fall color photos than what you see here this fall. When the fall color is spotty, I tend to work them as you see here, shooting amongst a grove, shooting up with the 18-35AFS or working a small patch with a longer lens like the 80-400VR3. Then I find a complimentary color like blue or black to make the yellow even more vibrant. There’s a lot one can do to bring the romance of fall into their images, some of my favorite techniques are all here for you. I’ll keep you posted when we see the big swing happening. But we might miss it this year as we head to Africa in a few weeks. But if you have the opportunity to walk amongst the warmth of the season, take you care and share it.