Fall Photography: Colours Captured Through Your Eyes

As the first leaves start to fall, we like to welcome Autumn to the Railway City! Capturing the warm tones of this beautiful season offers you an exciting opportunity to enhance your creativity and envision ordinary scenes into extraordinary visuals. The transformation of landscapes that blanket the ground in vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows will offer exceptional opportunities for photographers with any background or skill. Whether you’re a seasoned pro, or just starting out with your smartphone, this guide will help capture the lively fall season throughout local areas.
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Remember, photos are the world captured through your eyes, and it's all personalized to what you enjoy!

​Best Things to Photograph This Fall

​Composition is important in any photoshoot and location is key! Elements in the foreground of local parks, trails, and areas such as radiant leaves, plants, aesthetic landscapes, man-made visuals, or anything intriguing will bring depth to your photo.

🍂 The Leaves: 

• Leaves still found on tree branches, falling leaves, or even the ones on the ground are such a key visual for this season. 
• They glow, dazzle, and shine underneath the sun.
• St. Thomas has a variety of parks and trails where you can really make the scenery shine for some amazing Instagram worthy posts.

🌻 Trees, Plants, Nature:

• St. Thomas is a city full of outdoor nature and scenery. 
• The Railway City is packed with lots of walking and hiking trails, which are a great way to get outdoors! 
• Take a hike or stroll, and capture shots of the delicate views of the local flora.
• Check out some top hiking and cycling spots here!

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🍃 Key Tip:
​It is important to stay safe and stay on paths and trails, and don't pick up any plants or foliage!

🍁 Parks, Murals, Attractions:

• The Railway City is full of historical buildings, murals, and attractions sprinkled throughout and within. There’s so much to learn, see, and photograph that you will never run out of ideas! Incorporate some cool finds with some Autumn aesthetics and warm tones at some local parks! 
• It's so much fun taking a stroll through some lovely autumn scenery, greeting those who pass by, and taking photos while enjoying some crisp fall air!

📱 Lastly, capture anything you find unique or interesting to YOU! 

✨ Author Photography Highlight:
​Photos were taken across trails like the Whistlestop Trail, parks like Waterworks Park, and attractions around Talbot Street, etc. with an iPhone! 

📲 iPhone Tips:
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• Clean the lens of your phone's camera to avoid smudges and to make your photos more appealing.
• To adjust lighting, tap on the center of the screen before taking a photo and toggle the “sun” bar. 
  • You can also do this to help focus on the subject or area you want to capture by tapping the screen.
• Find areas illuminated by a good light and try to avoid any shadows.
  • Be aware of shadows casted by you, the phone, or any other blockages. 
• Find good lighting.
  • This does not mean extreme contrasts or brightness, but a lighting that works well and looks good for what you are capturing.
• On some models of iPhones there is an option to shoot photos in low light with night mode.
  • This automatically takes bright and detailed photos in-low light settings. It's easy to toggle on and off by clicking the yellow moon icon.
• Not only can you take the photo with the center photo button, but also with the volume button found on the side.
  • This is used for ease if the angle you are trying to capture requires a steady hand.
• To create a cool viewpoint, bend down to the ground and flip your phone upside down (so that the camera is closer to the ground and the charger port is faced to the sky) and tilt up.
  • This creates a cool effect, and when you turn your phone rightside up, it allows you to see the world in another perspective. This tip works if you want an aesthetic viewpoint that you may have not noticed before, and can create unique photos of the ground up, when capturing taller objects of interest like trees or murals. 

Editing Tips (Final Touches):

No need for any fancy editing software or apps if that’s not your thing! Your phone has all the tools you need to capture, highlight, or fix your beautiful photos.

Once a photo is taken, click “edit” usually located on the top right hand corner, or bottom right. This is used to help adjust exposure, highlights, definition, shadows, etc.

Editing is in the eye of the beholder so there is never a “right way” to do it. 

Be sure to avoid stark contrast or extremely low / high brightness to your images. Remember bigger isn’t always better so stick with more simplicity when editing. Try to avoid extremes (low or high) when editing. Toggle your photo and use the horizontal bar below the selected editing tool to see what works best for your photo. 
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Want to see what your original photo looked like before your edits? Just tap the photo within the editing adjustment and alternate back and forth to visualize and compare your changes.

Best Tip of All: Have Fun! 
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Make sure to dress appropriately! The Fall season may seem like a beautiful and magical place while out photographing it, but the cooler weather can drain you and your phone quickly. 
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Staying warm, comfortable, and with good company will give you the best experience. So grab a coffee or treat from your favourite local cafes and bakeries, charge up your phone, bring friends and family, and head out to discover the wonders of Fall through your own eyes!

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IZABELLA GONZALEZ

​​​Born and raised in St. Thomas, and currently studying at Western University for BMOS Accounting, Izabella is excited to help reveal the wonders of this amazing city. Izabella shares the love of bringing cultures together and understands the importance and impact of what a small-town community can accomplish. ​Helping out with the Horton Market and various events grew Izabella’s love for her hometown. Being the Railway City Tourism Assistant has encouraged Izabella to bring that enthusiasm of sharing diverse and unique experiences to others wanting to experience the Railway City.