Behind the Photograph Autumn edit

PUMPKINS, VERMONT, USA

In the autumn, visitors flock to Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont to see the world’s finest display of autumn colour. But it is impossible to predict precisely when the maple trees will be on fire. A local landscape photographer told us that, one year previously, the colours and light were the best in 20 years, but this year was the worst in living memory.

There was nothing immediately appealing about this array of pumpkins at a bend in the road; but there was the tree with its deep-orange canopy, and behind were the tattered stalks of maize, upright and in orderly lines.

Through the lens, I attempted to draw together pumpkins, leaves and corn. The key was to be low, but not so low that the tumble of pumpkins masked the base of the corn. I introduced a mild 81B amber filter to give an additional wash of warmth.

SETTINGS

LENS 50mm

EXPOSURE ½ sec at f/22

FILTER 81B amber filter

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