My local fall shooting has been pretty dismal lately. However, the rumor is we had some pretty good colors in Michigan. The leaves are now mostly down, and the color is well past the peak. My local “harvest” of fall images, with the exception of Alaska fall colors, is quite low.
One time I did get out recently had me thinking about the term fall harvest. “Fall harvest” is something we often associate with agriculture – apples, corn, pumpkins, etc. Provisions for winter. With each year, my harvest of images changes, different conditions, different time availability, different locations, and most notably, different ideas. Even my own backyard still produces new images limited only by my imagination in seeing them.
Nature’s fall harvest can be in the leaves and nutrients that will return to the ground to feed new spring growth. Pine’s shedding their needles creating a protective blanket underneath. This was the general idea behind this image. Harvest does not always need to be defined by taking – nature proves that it is a time of giving back to the Earth, as well as feeding our photographic souls.
This image was processed using a combination of Adobe Lightroom, Topaz Adjust, and Luminosity Masks in Photoshop CS3, capture by a Nikon D700 and 24-70 f2.8 AFS lens. You will find more of my leaf pictures in my gallery.
This photograph is absolutely beautiful….There’s something about getting out in nature with the challenge of capturing some of the amazing beauty around us.
Over the past year, I have found myself in the freezing cold, (I’m from Canada) braving snowfalls, and sliding over the ice in winter, then attacked by mosquitoes and black flies in summer, all in the hopes of capturing a glimpse of nature’s beauty with my camera… If you would like to view my website please go to http://marilyns-photo-shoppe.partnersaroundtheworld.com…Thank you..
This is a really lovely image Mark. I like ‘small’ scenes like this and also I think the design is spot on here and of course the texture is lovely too.
Thank you very much. I always appreciate the feedback and comments.
I love the photo. It almost looks like the leaves are on fire since the colors are vibrant. I wish I had those beautiful fall colors here down in Florida.
Paul Bates
Nature Photos by Paul Bates
Mark, wonderful point. Farmers understand that fall and winter are times to rebuild the soil for next years plantings and harvest. Mulch is turned under where it can decay to become food for new growth and winter crops are carefully selected that will replace nutrients needed next spring and summer.
I’ve always felt fall and winter are times of rest and renewal.
Excellent composition and execution. The textures are great and I like the leaves on needles and cones. Colors are perfect. Excellent work as per usual, Mark.
You brought all the elements together for this beautiful image Mark, well done !!
I especially like the lovely textures! And, of course, the colors and beautiful light.
Nice photo & post. We rarely have much foliage worthy of photos here, unfortunately. Autumn’s become good AND bad to me. The oppressive heat & humidity breaks & I can FINALLY get out to shoot again, but the leaves are all just turning brown & falling. Blarg.
Ha! Lana – then the challenge is then to make some interesting images of brown leaves. 😉 Thanks for your comments.
Thanks guys.
Very nicely written, Mark, and the image is simple and yet very powerful! I like it a lot. Great composition, textures, colours and light.
Love the composition Mark!
Nice composition and love the colors. And, you are so right, nature does give so much to us and itself. Very well said.