PHOTOGRAPHING FALL COLOR IN MICHIGAN’S UPPER PENNINSULA
Due to the fact that I had shows scheduled on the weekends when Michigan’s upper peninsula’s fall color is at it’s peak (the Porcupines usually peak during the last week of September and the rest of the upper typically fires up around the first weekend of October) I really thought I wouldn’t be able to do any shooting up there this year. Luckily, I caught a break as we had an unusually wet summer and a very mild early fall. The color was a week late this year, so I was able to take a few days and go up and work fall color.
We struggled a little with the weather because we had bright sunny, windy days. We did however, manage to get some shots but we worked hard for what we got. I say we because I travelled up with two good friends who I have had many great adventures with. Nature photography is often a solo endeavor and I really enjoy that part of it. While I enjoy being alone in the wilderness with my thoughts and chosen subjects, it is also very nice to be able to share these experiences with good friends. The friendships and comaraderie I have developed with other photographers as we travelled the beautiful spots of the world is very special to me. I would say in my travels I have met hundreds, no probably, thousands of nature photographers and as a group they are some of the nicest people I know.
Here are a few fall images from Michigan’s upper penninsula. These first few images are a theme that I am often on the lookout for as I work fall color. What is happening in these images is, I am shooting a small section of a stream that is in the shade, with the water reflecting fall color that is fully lite by the sun. What is nice about working this subject is that it is usually something that can be done in the middle of a bright sunny day when my gear would usually be packed up as I am scouting evening locations.
Reflections of Fall
Au Train Falls Section
This next shot was created using a much slower shutter speed in an attempt to call attention to the quite water captured in the rock’s crevace.
Quite Pool
The following image is another subject you can work when the wind is blowing. This image shows crimson blueberry leaves with a couple of fern fronds. Because these plants grow close to the ground they are not blown by the wind as much as taller foliage.
Blueberry and Fern Fronds
On the final day we did get a morning with nice light and calm winds and I was able to make this next couple of images.
Colors of the Northwoods
Autumn Lake and Reeds
