Autumn Impressions: A Journey Through Nature’s Colorful World
Canada goose (Branta canadensis): Sony a6700 + Sony 100 - 400 mm f/4.5 - 5.6 - f/5.6 - 1/800 - ISO 1600
Key Highlights
- Autumn’s Color Magic: Capture unforgettable photo moments with stunning fall colors and playful light
- Wildlife in Autumn: Local animals get ready for the winter
- Creative Photography Tips: Play with long exposures, inspired by nature's colors
- Gear Tips: Lightweight, flexible camera gear for spontaneous fall walks
- Moments of Magic: Nature as a creative muse, especially in autumn
Table of Contents
- The Magic of Autumn: The Golden Season for Creativity
- Preparing for Cold Days: Animals in Autumn
- Wandering Without a Plan – The Freedom to Be Creative
- Your Camera as a Companion for Autumn’s Color Play
The Magic of Autumn: The Golden Season for Creativity
Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea): Sony a6700 + Sony 100 - 400 mm f/4.5 - 5.6 GM - f/5.6 - 1/100 - ISO 100
Winter is coming, but autumn lets nature shine one last time in full color! For photographers, this season is a highlight, showing nature’s most colorful look. The leaves glow in shades of red, yellow, and orange. The air is crisp, and the light creates magical moments. Especially in the morning and evening, the warm, soft light makes these colors come alive, giving that special autumn mood photographers love.
Preparing for Cold Days: Animals in Autumn
Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris): Sony a6700 + Sony 100 - 400 mm f/4.5 - 5.6 GM - f/5.6 - 1/100 - ISO 100
If you're walking through the forests and around the lakes of Franconia right now, you'll see animals preparing for winter. Birds and squirrels are everywhere, gathering supplies for the cold months.
One special autumn highlight is the deer mating season, known as the “rut.” Red deer are most active at dawn and night. While you might not see them in bright autumn leaves, the spectacle is still impressive. Their loud calls and fierce battles for mates give these autumn days a wild, powerful feel. Read more about my experiences during the rut in my article, “Red Deer Rut: A Unique Experience.”
Red Deer: Sony a1 + Sony 400 mm f/2.8 GM
Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea): Sony a6700 + Sony 100 - 400 mm f/4.5 - 5.6 GM - f/14 - 1/8 - ISO 125
In late October, I just set out with no real goal, no plan to capture any specific animals. It was just about being outside, moving, and seeing what scenes would come along the way. With no expectations or strict plans for portrait or action shots—except maybe a lucky shot—this was pure freedom.
Armed with light gear—my Sony a6700 and a 100–400 mm f/4.5-5.6 GM lens—I went on a kind of autumn safari. This approach was an open invitation to creativity: playing with long exposures, golden leaves, and trying a few motion-blur shots I hadn’t done before. It felt refreshing to wander the woods without a strict plan.
Your Camera as a Companion for Autumn’s Color Play
Oak leaves: Sony a6700 + Sony 100 – 400 mm f/4.5 - 5.6 GM - f/9 - 1/10 - ISO 100
These autumn walks reminded me how great it is to simply enjoy this time of year. The colors, the fresh air, the calm—it’s the perfect time for anyone who loves autumn to pick up their camera and head outside. Whether with a smartphone or a professional camera, autumn offers beautiful scenes for everyone.
So go outside, soak in the light and colors, and capture the magic of fall!
Not a Vincent Van Gogh, but a beautiful play of colors with a long exposure time: Sony a6700 + Sony 100 - 400 mm f/4.5 - 5.6 GM - f/9 - 1/10 - ISO 100
