Southern Appalachian Autumn
Ah, autumn. How do I describe thee? Magical comes to mind, but for most nature photographers, this is the inspirational season when the human spirit soars. Surrounded by an amazing display of colors, our eyes go into sensory overload. From the golden illumination of sugar maples to the red blush of staghorn sumac, the variety of colors can be astounding. Native American legends say the constellation Little Dipper is upside down in autumn to allow the season’s motif to pour down from the sky, decorating the trees with blazing reds, sparkling yellows, and flaming oranges. Now if that’s not pure magic…
Nature photographers know about the golden aspens decorating the rugged landscape of the Rocky Mountains and the rich tapestry of colors found in the northeast. But did you know the southern mountain region offers up some mighty tempting autumn photography as well? With a much longer autumn season, an amazing variety of colors, easy access to millions of acres of public lands, and a diversity of subject matter, the southern Appalachians offer a very worthwhile and memorable autumn photography experience. Good down home cookin’ and southern hospitality add a few more reasons to photograph here as well.
Autumn in the southern Appalachians is not as fleeting as in other parts of the country. The seasonal transition is gradual, resulting in a more gentle change from summer’s green to autumn’s colorful parade of colors. Some great photography occurs when the forest is not fully clothed in autumn’s glory, but instead is decorated with a mixture fall colors and late summer green.
Southern Appalachian autumns can start as early as September and still offer peak colors into November. For example, in the higher elevations of West Virginia ’s Tucker County , autumn arrives in mid-September, while in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas and Missouri , the colors might peak in late October and linger into November. A photographer could start photographing fall colors in mid-September along the crest of Dolly Sods in West Virginia , continue capturing prime color while moving south through Virginia and the two Carolinas, then west to Tennessee and Kentucky , before wrapping up in Arkansas and Missouri in mid-November. This is a lengthy haul, but it just proves you have many options to consider when photographing here.
The primary colors of a southern Appalachian autumn results from trees such as maple, cherry, poplar, birch, beech, oak, and dogwood. From the vibrant colors of sugar and red maples in the forests of the two Virginia ’s highland region to the muted scarlet and tan of the oak woodlands in the Arkansas Ozarks, the diversity of colors from one region to the next creates infinite possibilities for the creative artisan. In the Great Smoky Mountains alone, more than one hundred tree species offer different color interpretations to the season. Add the color rich shrubs, bushes, and vines, and you have autumn color from the forest floor all the way up to the higher reaches of the tallest trees.
Autumn in the southern Appalachians gives you room to roam, room to breath, and room to photograph. Access to prime autumn photography locations on public lands is yours for the asking. The number and size of the national forests in the southern Appalachian region are extraordinary. More than seven million acres of national forest lands occur in the region and the degree of access to them is only restricted by your willingness to simply drive on paved highways or venture onto the many Forest Service dirt roads. You can even park your vehicle and hike or backpack through some amazing and remote wilderness areas.
More than 750,000 acres of national park lands occur here too, including the 500,000-acre plus Great Smoky Mountains . If you want more options, consider the hundreds of state parks and forests, wildlife management areas, and private nature sanctuaries scattered throughout the region.
A southern Appalachian autumn offers not only striking colors, but an infinite number of subject matter as well. You can pick from pastoral landscapes in the valleys to striking vistas along the highest mountain summits. Like to add another element to the scene? Then you have an assortment of historical structures such as barns, gristmills, covered bridges, split-rail fences, and stonewalls to include in your composition. When photographing in the mountains, the subject matter revolves not only around the colorful leaves, but the many waterfalls, cascading mountain streams, and boulder-filled gorges. For abstract patterns of leaves, autumn reflections, and close-up subjects, the possibilities are limited only by your vision and imagination.
Techniques for photographing in the southern Appalachians are not much different from capturing images of autumn elsewhere. For equipment, I rely most often on a wide-angle zoom (17-35mm) and mid-range telephoto zoom (80-200mm). For close-ups of leaves and abstract patterns, my preferred lenses are a 200mm f/4 micro or a 70-180mm zoom micro lens. For filters I use a polarizer to reduce reflections from the leaves; however, when I’m not shooting digital, I find myself using a warming filter (81A & B) more on days that are overcast or when photographing in shade. To hold exposure on hazy days when the sky might be several stops lighter than the landscape, I use a split neutral density filter. While I prefer Fuji Velvia, the selection of film is a matter of personal choice. The colors can be dazzling, so use a film that will effectively capture and render the color as you see it. These days, I shoot exclusively digital, so I’m mindful of checking my white balance settings to ensure that my autumn colors retain that warm look.
Both overcast and sunny days work well for autumn photography in the Appalachian mountains , but I much prefer to photograph during overcast conditions, including days with mist or light drizzle. On these cloudy days, contrast is reduced and the colors become more saturated and vibrant. With no shadows or highlights, the scene is more evenly lit. I avoid including the sky in the composition and focus instead on isolating portions of the scene by using my 80-200mm zoom or even a 300mm. I also use these days for photographing close-ups of autumn leaves on the forest floor (or on sunny days, I’ll use a diffuser). Add fog to the day and you have a great opportunity to capture some mysterious and romantic images. Your images will be softer and with a more pastel look to them. The interplay of fog, autumn colors, and elements such as barns and other structures will yield very alluring compositions.
Sunny days are great for photographing wide-angle scenics. On these days I photograph early in the morning and late in the afternoon before too much contrast occurs. I will often use backlighting on sunny days to make a cluster of translucent leaves pop against the blue sky. Backlighting brings out colors that otherwise would be muted from frontlighting.
As with any autumn photo-trek, you must plan ahead of time. For perfect autumn color, a combination of bright sunny days and cool nights, along with some pre-season rain, are required. The amount of this prescription varies each year and by region. Paying attention to the weather patterns a month before the estimated peak leaf color will help you plan a route to maximize photographic opportunities.
If you have never experienced autumn in the south, I invite you to take time to explore this most glorious season. A southern Appalachian autumn will weave its spell into your heart and once bitten, you’ll be planning return trips in the future. I guarantee it.