Fall Leaves 2009
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These oak leaves in McKinley Park in Sacramento, CA are in full color right now. The colored leaves contrast nicely against a solid blue background. This color should last through the weekend and is just in time to coincide with the deadline for entering our foliage photography photography contest on November 26, 2009. -
This lone Chinese Pistache may be one of the smallest trees in Royer Park in Roseville but it is the only one showing off its beautifully colored leaves. Photographed Tuesday, November 17, 2009. -
The Chinese Pistache is very recognizable throughout the Sacramento area and is showing great color this week. The storms might pull some leaves off the trees but there are plenty of trees to choose from. This colorful stand was photographed on Tuesday November 17, 2009 next to the Cattlemen's Restaurant in Roseville, CA. -
The color in Yosemite is peak this weekend. El Capitan is framed by valley oaks in full color. This is unusual as the color generally begins to turn next weekend. If you're looking for the last color in the Sierra, this is the weekend. This photo was made on October 28, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 28mm. The exposure was 1/125 sec. at f/11 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
Fern Spring is located just inside the valley after crossing Pohono bridge and is a great subject for a long water blur exposure. The fall leaves tell the story of a time and place and set the mood for the photo. Visit Yosemite this weekend if you want peak color. I doubt it will last through next weekend. This photo was made on October 28, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24mm tilt/shift lens using 10mm fall and 2.5 degrees tilt. The exposure was 8 sec. at f/22 using ISO 100 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters and using tilt/shift lenses, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
The cabin in Hope Valley is an iconic landmark of the color in the area. I've included it as a final tribute to the entire area. The color was great this year but it came late end ended quickly. This photo was made on October 28, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 45mm. The exposure was 1/45 sec. at f/13 using ISO 400 on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
This scene along the river, next to Hwy 89 is one of my benchmark scenes that I use to time the changing of the color in Christmas Valley. This entire valley extends from Mewyers to Luther Pass and has several wonderful shooting locations. The color here will be great all weekend. The soft early moring ambient light is best for delicate pastel coloring. This photo was made on October 21, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 30mm. The exposure was 1/60 sec. at f/8 using ISO 800 on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
This is definitely the week for Hope Valley. This scene was photographed on dow road from Luther Pass toward Pickett's Junction. It will make you drunk with color. The wind is something you will have to expose around. The color at the cabin is down so you can concentrate your efforts in the valley and along the river toward Woodfords. There are a lot of water possibilities east of the resorts. This photo was made on October 21, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 50mm. The exposure was 1/125 sec. at f/16 using ISO 800 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
As you can see Conway summit is a week late so far. The only color is scrub color way up the hillside. Car Wreck Meadow area still green. This photo was made on October 7, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 28mm. The exposure was 1/125 sec. at f/11 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
This is probably my last photo of the tree tunnel at North Lake for the season. The look of this photo is very deceiving as this is the only small group of trees with any color left on them. If you compose your photo carefully and enhance the color of what leaves remain with a polarizing filter, you can make a shot that is better than reality. We have to say goodbye to North Lake for the season after this weekend. The show put on here this season was brief but very intense. This photo was made on October 8, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 50mm. The exposure was 1/125 sec. at f/11 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
The color at McGee Creek Canyon is mostly green. If you look carefully, you can find a few trees like this one and make a colorful shot. Most of the scrub on the hillsides have turned brown from the snows so tighter shots are best for detail. This photo was made on October 8, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 55mm. The exposure was 1/90 sec. at f/11 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
Compared to the previous photo, this shot of McGee Creek Canyon shows the area as it really is; mostly green. This is probably the best area to shoot this weekend. This photo was made on October 8, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 35mm. The exposure was 1/90 sec. at f/11 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
This is the perfect weekend to capture this nice color at Cardinal Pond in Cardinal Village Resort near Aspendell in Bishop Creek Canyon. The colors are enhanced by using a 1-stop graduated neutral density filter with the polarizing filter. That way, the reflecting trees are the same density as the real ones. This photo was made on October 8, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 45mm. The exposure was 1/90 sec. at f/11 using ISO 400, 1-stop graduated neutral density filter and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters in combination, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
It seems no workshop these days is complete without a star fields session. Tonight we photographed stars and the landscape illuminated by the light from the full moon. Both stars and land forms show up well but if you want stars to really show up, you need to shoot them on nights where there is no moon. The first two nights were in the 20s which we felt was too cold. Tonight wasn't that cold but we have 40+ mph wind gusts so we chose this hidden valley for our photography. This photo was made on October 3, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24mm f/1.4 lens. The exposure was 10 sec. at f/4 using ISO 1600 and mounted on a tripod and triggered with a remote release cord. For information on using filters, exposure or accessories please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
Our workshop has been shooting above 8,000 ft. for two days and with the high winds, we were watching great clouds form over the Owens Valley. We dicided to head for Bishop to plan a sunset. You never know if a sunset will materialize but we were lucky tonight and besides, we just wanted to eat in "town" as a change from eating in the lodge. Sunsets or sunrises always work best if there is discernible detail or a silhouette in the foreground. This pond worked well for us even though the high winds didn't allow for a nice calm reflection. This photo was made on October 3, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 45mm. The exposure was 1 sec. at f/11 using ISO 200, a circular polarizing filter, a 1-stop graduated neutral density filter and mounted on a tripod. For information on using filters or time exposures please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
This photo really tells the story of the photography today in the Bishop Creek area. We had sustained winds of 17 mph and gusts at 41 mph. I thought it would be fun to shoot a photo that graphically illustrates the wind by setting the trees in motion. To give the eye a reference, I included a mountain in the background. This photo was made on October 3, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 40mm. The exposure was 4 secs. at f/22 using ISO 50 a circular polarizing filter and 3-stop neutral density filter on a tripod. For information on using filters and long shutter speeds, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
There is still good color in upper Bishop Creek Canyon at Lake Sabrina but you really have to search and compose for it. This photo was made at the base of the dam at Lake Sabrina. The color for most of the area is in serious decline. We had to brave 40+ mph wind gusts and over night temperatures of 17 degrees. We're staying in some rustic cabins at the 8,500 ft. level and glad the heaters are working. 60-70 percent of the color in this entire area still hasn't begun to turn so, next weekend will be very good for color. Be sure to watch the color chart, new photos and "best bets" next week. This photo was made on October 3, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 35mm. The exposure was 1/250 sec. at f/8 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
McGee Creek canyon is my favorite fall colors destination. To me, it embodies the vision of wall-to-wall color. This is what I consider fall folaige. But, it comes at a cost. This scene is only accessed by a 1 1/4 mile hike from the traihead at McGee Creek parking area. The color is good now but will be great next week if the weekend storm doesn't kill off the leaves like it did in South Lake and North Lake. Read the Best Bets article for this week regarding the weather approaching this area for the weekend. This photo was made on October 2, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 28mm. The exposure was 1/125 sec. at f/11 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
The color at Rock Creek Lake is in serious decline. It will barely last the weekend. The lower canyon areas are all in good color right now and will probably bee good depending on the weather. This photo was made on October 2, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 28mm. The exposure was 1/125 sec. at f/11 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
Laurel Mountain behind Convict Lake is one of my favorite mountains because of the detail in morning light. Since lighing is the most important element in a photograph, plan your day to be at your subject at the right time. This photo was made on October 2, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 24mm. The exposure was 1/20 sec. at f/22 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
When I made this photo I couldn't believe my eyes so I checked my LCD display with my magnifier just to make sure the color was actually showing on that screen. This isn't what it looked like. Tuesday's snow and below freezing temperatures made half the color fall or turned black. Strong winds played a big part in the downed leaves as well. This display might last until Monday but not beyond that. There still is a tiny bit of color to shoot here but not for long. This photo was made on October 1, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 45mm. The exposure was 1/ 125 sec. at f/ 11 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
This photo was made in North Lake. It is very deceiving in a small photo because you can't tell that many of the trees have lost significant amounts of leaves. The existing yellow leaves are spotted and rapidly turning black. The good news is that all the green in the area farther down the canyon isn't affected and should begin a new color show next weekend. -
Here's another area that wasn't affected by Tuesday's storm. It is called Intake 2 and is down the canyon from Cardinal Pond at Aspendell. These areas will put on a nice show next week. This photo was made on October 1, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 45mm. The exposure was 1/ 125 sec. at f/ 11 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
Despite the weather on Tuesday, signicant areas are still green today in Bishop Creek. The color show will resume next week and should be very nice. -
This quaint scene is Cardinal Pond at Aspendell. The color today is about half turned and wasn't affected by Tuesday's storm. It will put on a great show next week. This photo was made on October 1, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 40mm. The exposure was 1/ 125 sec. at f/ 11 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
This photo was made in the Big Bend area of South fork Bishop Creek. It is very deceiving because you can't tell that many of the trees have lost significant amounts of leaves. The existing yellow leaves are spotted and rapidly turning black. The good news is that all the green in the area isn't affected and should begin a new color show next weekend. This photo was made on October 1, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 45mm. The exposure was 1/ 125 sec. at f/ 11 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
The color in the Bishop Creek area has had a significant downturn since Tuesday's snow and below freezing temperature. Half the color has fallen or turned black. Strong winds played a big part in the downed leaves as well. Luckily, the vast areas that were green are not affected. Color next weekend should be good if the weather doesn't interfere. This is a nice little photo that I like to do to after the sun has moved over the mountains. This photo was made on October 1, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 70mm. The exposure was 10 sec. at f/ 22 using ISO 100 and a 3-stop neutral density filter on a tripod. For information on using filters or making water blurs, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
The color in the North Lake area has had a significant downturn since Tuesday's snow and below freezing temperature. Over half the color has fallen or turned black. Strong winds played a big part in the downed leaves as well. Luckily, the vast areas that were green in the lower parts of Bishop Creek Canyon are not affected. Color next weekend should be good if the weather doesn't interfere. Compare this photo with the identical one made last week and you will see a dramatic difference. This photo was made on October 1, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 30mm. The exposure was 1/ 90 sec. at f/ 11 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
The only color at Luther Pass, was put there by CalTrans. All of Christmas Valley to Luther Pass is still green. This area traditionally comes into color mid-October. -
This compressed view of the cabin in Hope Valley might convince you that the color was good there today. Check the next photo in the gallery to see the real color condition today. This photo was made on September 30, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 105mm. The exposure was 1/125 sec. at f/11 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
The same view of the cabin in Hope Valley with a wide angle lens reveals the color is very limited. The highly compressed, magnified view is a technique used to isolate a subject and put it in a certain context. This photo was made on September 30, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 100mm. The exposure was 1/125 sec. at f/11 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
If you view the color in Hope Valley today with a telephoto lens you'd see some nice color because telephoto lenses are very selective in what they see. Check out the following photo in this series to see a different view. This photo was made on September 30, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 105mm. The exposure was 1/125 sec. at f/11 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
When you zoom a lens back to its shortest focal length, it reveals a much larger section of the scene. In this case, Hope Valley shows a lot of area still solid green. This is much more indicative of the green in the area. This photo was made on September 30, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 35mm. The exposure was 1/125 sec. at f/11 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
This is the only significant color in Hope Valley and is just east of Pickett's Junction. As you can see from the other photos from here, the colr is just starting. Next week this small patch will be down but the rest of the valley will be very colorful. This photo was made on September 30, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 100mm. The exposure was 1/125 sec. at f/11 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
The color on Monitor Pass is just beginning to turn. Next week it should be in full color. I really like this compressed view because it is looking east way over Antelope Valley to Mount Patterson. This photo was made on September 30, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 100mm. The exposure was 1/125 sec. at f/11 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
The color at Conway summit is very much green. There is a lot of scrub color woy up on the mountain sides but the bulk of the trees are still green. This photo was made on September 30, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 65mm. The exposure was 1/250 sec. at f/11 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
This colorful scene is Weir Pond at the end of South Lake. The color throughout the area is perfect. This photo was made on September 30, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 35mm. The exposure was 1/250 sec. at f/8 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
If you've ever wanted to see the most intensive color of your life, don't miss the Table Mountain to Parcher's Resort area of South Bishop Creek! This photo was made in the Big Bend area and makes you put the camera down and absorb the splendor. It's more than the camera can convey! Come up here this weekend for the show. South Lake is putting on quite a show this week. It is a full 3 all the way to the pass. The color from Parcher's Resort is great. This color is so intense I don't see it lasting in it's present intensity through next weekend. Come now! This photo was made on September 24, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 105mm. The exposure was 1/350 sec. at f/8 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
June Lake and the June Lake Loop drive is almost completely green. There are small patches of high scrub color and a couple small stands of trees starting to turn but mostly green. This area will be good in probably two weeks. This photo was made on September 24, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 28mm. The exposure was 1/250 sec. at f/8 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
South Lake is putting on quite a show this week. It is a full 3 all the way to the pass. The color from Parcher's Resort is great. This color is so intense I don't see it lasting in it's present intensity through next weekend. Come now! This photo was made on September 24, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 28mm. The exposure was 1/250 sec. at f/8 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. 4284 -
Lundy Canyon is completely green including the Beaver Ponds back bay. This photo was made on September 24, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 28mm. The exposure was 1/250 sec. at f/8 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
Crystal Crag over Mamie Lake in the Mammoth Lakes area. There isn't a lot of color in the area. Mammoth Creek should be turning in about 10 days. -
The color around Convict Lake is almost all green today. There is a little color in the scrub growth on the mountain slopes behind the lake and the trees are turning light green back there. Good in about 10 days. This photo was made on September 24, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 40mm. The exposure was 1/250 sec. at f/8 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
The color is great in Sabrina basin this week. The color should hold for about a week. This photo was made on September 23, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 55mm. The exposure was 1/250 sec. at f/8 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
The color is spectacular at Rock Creek Lake right now as you can see. I expect that with the degree of color we're seeing today, most of it will be in serious decline by the weekend of October 3. This drive is a best bet for this weekend. This photo was made on September 23, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 24mm. The exposure was 1/250 sec. at f/8 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
The color in Rock Creek canyon is perfect from Iris meadow to the lake. This is the best week to shoot this canyon. This photo was made on September 23, 2009 with a Canon 5D MkII and a Canon 24-105mm zoom at 24mm. The exposure was 1/250 sec. at f/8 using ISO 400 and a circular polarizing filter on a tripod. For information on using filters, please check our Tips & Techniques section. -
Dave Henry will be traveling in the Sierra this fall to capture the fall leaves as they come and go. He expects to post the first photos of this year's foliage around Sept. 22. This tranquil scene was made under ambient lighting which is still daylight but because it is located in a valley between two tall mountain ridges, the direct sun only reaches this area during mid-day. Excellent photographic possibilities are present in this type lighting. ©Dave Henry 0318
