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Send in your foliage shots

Print | Comments () Posted by Teresa Hanafin October 1, 2008 05:37 PM

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The leaves of a red maple glowed brightly against the trunks of white birch trees along Route 16 near the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road. (Globe Photo/Mark Wilson)

As Arnold Kaplan pointed out in his item about good spots in Vermont to shoot foliage, it's the season to try to capture those vivid colors in interesting ways. Over the next few weeks e-mail your best fall foliage shots and I'll post them. Meanwhile, here's a sample of photos from the Globe's photography staff that may help you think about how to shoot these classic pictures in interesting ways.

In the photo above, for example, Mark Wilson used the sharp contrast of the reddish-orange leaves and the white birch to create a striking image. John Blanding did the same in this shot:

Early color on leaves at the Elijah Kellogg Congregational Church in Harpswell, Maine hinted at the foliage season to come. (Globe Photo/John Blanding/File 1997)

Often, including another element in your shot helps lend context, balance, or just some interest to the photo, as in these shots:

A bike leaned on a tree with the hues of autumn foliage all around
on the Williams College campus. (Globe Photo/John Tlumacki/File 2006)

A woman stopped for a photo of foliage near the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road as a red maple radiated color behind her. (Globe Photo/Mark Wilson)

Two children chased each other around amidst fall's splendor.
(Globe Photo/John Tlumacki/File 1995)

Brilliant orange leaves graced a tree and framed a passerby in Boston's Public Garden.
(Globe Photo/John Tlumacki/File 2000)

If you own a wide-angle lens, you can get pretty creative, as David L. Ryan did:

Colorful leaves fell from a tree in a yard on Main Street in Hanover.
(Globe Photo/David L. Ryan/File 1997)

Don't take all of your foliage shots from a distance. The following photos demonstrate that getting up close can have tremendous impact.

Maple leaves in Dover started to turn color. (Globe Photo/Bill Greene/File 2000)

The sun caught maple leaves starting their annual fall ritual.
(Globe Photo/Bill Greene/File 2000)

Sugar maple leaves floated in the Concord River near North Bridge
in Minuteman National Historic Park. (Globe Photo/Mark Wilson/File 2003)

Fall foliage, close up (Globe Photo/Lane Turner/File 1995)

And finally, sometimes the best shot comes not from shooting foliage directly, but rather capturing its reflected glory:

A canoe sat on the banks of Corcoran Pond as foliage from the nearby White Mountains was reflected in the water. (Globe Photo/John Tlumacki/File 1995)

Two Canada geese glided by as the water of the Public Garden glowed
with the colors of fall foliage. (Globe Photo/John Tlumacki/File 2000)

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20 comments so far...

I'm going out this weekend up north - weather permitting. I hope to get a few shots, thanks for the tips.

Posted by matt October 1, 08 10:16 PM

I'm heading up to Acadia next weekend. Hopefully I will hit peak foliage and be able to get some good shots.

Posted by kseiffer October 2, 08 08:41 AM

Very pretty pictures, I love this section of the website!

Posted by Bonni October 2, 08 10:03 AM

I'm heading up on the 18th - hopefully will be able to email you some great shots i get :)

Posted by sarah October 2, 08 11:13 AM

the white mt's photo w/ red boat is amazing

Posted by Anonymous October 2, 08 01:13 PM

I am in India right now....Watching these pictures is making me home sick.

Posted by Yogesh Rao October 2, 08 01:39 PM

It has been a few years since we have had spectacular color. These photos capture one of the reasons why we like New England. Thank you for sharing.

Posted by DLA October 2, 08 02:56 PM

Going to Vermont for a 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration. My cameras are also coming. Hope to find nice color.

Posted by Carmen A. Restivo October 2, 08 06:22 PM

beautifull!!

Posted by Anonymous October 3, 08 06:38 AM

So wonderful. I am a Chinese, I have never left here. These pics make me think of my father, who loves maples very much. He tried his best to plant this beautiful tree in China, but he failed because of the weather here. Now I work in a city far away from my family. This week we are free because of the national holiday. I can not be back home and observe a golden autumn with my family. Hope many years later there will be such great scenery in China.

Posted by wilson October 3, 08 07:45 AM

Hello leaves of New England ... I am in California and I am heading your way with my camera gear on the 24th ... please stay on the trees for me ... thank you so much ...

Posted by Christine October 3, 08 08:48 AM

I'm living in Bozeman, MT now and Fall is nice here, but nothing like the colors of New England. I'm homesick for sure! Thanks for posting these amazing pictures.

Posted by Gayle Boudreau October 3, 08 12:47 PM

Hello from Switzerland, I love watching your foliage pics. Makes me feel the wanderlust. My boyfriend is living in Boston right now....I hope to find a job there as well (if you know something do not hesitate to share your idea :-) )
Looking forward to spending next fall in Boston and sending my own foliage pictures.
Enjoy,
Fabienne

Posted by Fabienne October 3, 08 03:53 PM

Beautiful photos! Very inspiring. I can't wait to go out and take some of my own!

Posted by Elizabeth October 3, 08 04:42 PM

I almost wish I hadn't seen such beautiful pictures, I feel more homesick than ever! It's still in the upper 80s here in Heaven's Waiting Room (Florida) and there are still, officially, two more months of hurricane season left!

Why on God's green earth did I ever leave my beloved Boston?

Posted by dave October 3, 08 09:25 PM

So gorgeous! I miss my Massachusetts and my visits to Vermont. Love the pictures and the beautiful colors of New England fall. I am in the city of Philadelphia. The leaves won't change in this city until
mid to the end of October.

Posted by Linda October 4, 08 10:37 AM

Very pretty pictures, I Love

Posted by Eliane Elias, Brazil October 5, 08 04:06 PM

I am from India and lived in Newton/Brookline, MA for 6 years and was awestruck every Fall with the changing colours. Now I have been back in India for 2 years and every Sep/Oct I miss the changing colours on the trees. You guys are incredibly lucky to experience this. I stay in touch thru the photos. Miss New England

Posted by Aren October 6, 08 01:21 AM

sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo beautiful

Posted by vannessa rayford September 15, 10 10:04 PM

These were sooo peaceful to look at :) It makes me feel like I'm actually there!!!

Posted by Brittney E October 4, 10 11:38 AM

DO NOT HIT THE SUBMIT BUTTON MORE THAN ONCE!

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