Fall can be a magical time for architectural photography and landscapes. Less moisture in the air means cleaner crisper shots and more vibrant color. However, you are dealing with a short window and mother nature can be fickle – start now and you have more options.
Landscapes
Once September arrives plants have had a full growing season behind them and have recovered from summer dryness. Lawns are greener, plants look healthier, and the landscape is more lush. In many respects fall is the best time of year for landscapes. If your intent is to make the best impression - think fall.
Building Exteriors
Building construction tends to finish in the fall so you will be shooting completed projects while everything is new and fresh, with easy access to the premises. It also means that this year’s projects can be photographed and utilized for marketing purposes during winter and spring. Too many times I’ve seen people wait for spring only to be done in by weather and lose months of promotion.
If your building is under construction fall exterior shots allow you to make it appear that the project is farther along and provides the opportunity to merchandise it in advance. Good examples are apartment buildings or condo complexes where you will be pre-selling prior to project completion. Photos go a long way toward helping people visualize your project, making for an easier sell.
Fall Foliage – or Not
Landscape photography in the fall doesn’t necessarily mean that it has to include fall foliage. The great thing about fall is that you can get the best of both worlds – a nice summer feel or a colorful fall foliage scene. Your subject matter and the purpose of the photo will be the guiding factors. For example, you may want your building to say summer - while a cozy outdoor fireplace is perfect with a little fall foliage.
Stick Season
I spend a lot of time in Vermont where they refer to late fall, when the leaves come down, as stick season. You might think that when stick season arrives all is lost, but we can often pull a rabbit out of a hat. Shot at the right time of day with the right lighting trees are less visible, with the added bonus of showing off the architecture. For example, in summer you can barely see the first two floors of the building below. (This is a great example of a just-completed building that can be promoted throughout the winter and spring as discussed above.)
Another option in stick season is shooting at dusk, i.e., magic hour, where the lack of foliage goes unnoticed and can make for a terrific shot - with your building architecture in full view.
Don’t Wait
At ShupeStudios our goal is to wow you this fall. If you need a head start on next year for residential structures, commercial buildings, or landscapes - fall photography can provide superb results. However, the window is rapidly closing so the time is now. Please give me a call and let’s make it happen.