It was overcast and rainy this morning but when I looked out into my neighborhood and saw how the wetness made the fall colors look so vibrant and inviting I decided to drive into Salisbury and take photos–rain be damned. :-)
I took my Nikon D700 with the 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. I also mounted a Singh-Ray LB Color combo Polarizer. This is the first time I’ve used this filter which features both a warming polarizer and color intensifier in one compact ring. I didn’t need the polarizer but I was interested to see what this combo would do with the fall colors.
I was very impressed with the results. None of these photos have not been enhanced in any way. I only did a little perspective and tilt correction on two of them. The color saturation/vibrance, contrast, exposure, and everything else, are exactly as they came from the camera. This filter is said to be excellent for macro photography as well–I’m looking forward to giving that a try.
With the overcast conditions and the extra filter I did have to shoot at ISO 1600 to maintain an acceptable hand-held shutter speed.
I like fall with strong red and yellow foliage colors but still bright greens mixed in as well. So for my taste, I’d say this is peak fall color season.
Nice work. I often struggle to get out there and photograph on a wet rainy day. Having the ability to go that high with the ISO sure helps! I love it in my D3.
Drew
Great foliage images! I was raised in New England and this is really the only time of the year that I miss the area. In coastal Oregon, the range of fall colors is not as great.
Rain is wonderful for bringing out color – but not so good for me lately as it was accompanied with a 20 mph wind and blew a lot of the leaves down. :-(
Polarizers do work wonders with fall colors – especially with wet leaves.
@Drew Fulton – Oh. I didn’t say it was easy taking that first step out on a wet rainy day…it’s just that I’m finding I enjoy the experience and results once I do “force” myself to go. Yes, knowing you can shoot at ISO 1600 with little compromise is really nice. So when are you going to get a D3X? :-)
@Steve Skinner – When younger I lived in Vermont for a while. While the colors here are very good this year I don’t believe they’re up to Vermont autumn standards…or maybe that’s just a younger mans memories. :-)
@Mark – The rain I enjoy, but add that type of wind and I think I’d watching it from home with a nice cup of coffee. I’m glad it’s been calm enough here for many/most of the turning leaves to still be on the trees.
I finally got to see some fall colors this weekend! Of course, in Charleston, you get to see rare glimpses of color because pine trees and palmetto trees don’t change colors. I rather like those rain soaked saturated colors. I have one of those LB polarizers as well. I think that I need to put it on a go out and shoot for a bit. Thanks for the reminder!
Lovely shots, Earl.
Those fall colors are enough to drive me crazy. Just a little more than we see here. Then you have to wave around that filter and Paul piles on. Gee whiz. I think I’ll go pout now. ;)
Colors and filters aside, a great deal of my enthusiasm is reserved for the way you show these colors in their context and provide a flavor of tone and place that makes the photos even more delightful.
There’s more to rain than that. Well, photographing daily, especially when days grow preciously short, you’d better love rain and night, and that indeed is a wonderful combination. Sure, for a few days the foliage gives you gorgeous colors even in flat light, and with a polarizer you are king, but as soon as the leaves are down, night time’s the right time. Colorful city lights and wet streets, oh dear, you can really work magic with that :)