Autumn

1. Autumn: I wanted to make an image that captured the colours and the quality of light that occurs each autumn, if we are lucky. My original idea to capture a line of with late afternoon light streaming through golden and red leaves was a year in the making. I discovered this line of trees just after the leaves had fallen and those remaining had lost their colour. I noted the location, used a map and compass to plot where the sun would be in late October to early November the following year and planned to return. I made three visits on three consecutive days. Each of the days began with good quality light that promised to meet my needs, on the two abortive days as I travelled to the location, clouds gathered and by the time the sun would have been in the right place to make the image it was raining! The third day resulted in the quality of light I had hoped for and at around 3pm I made my image. It was captured on film (Fuji Velvia down rated to 32 iso to reduce the high contrast in the scene) using a Nikon camera and 70-300mm Sigma zoom lens. I used a Cokin 1 diffuser filter to add a more romantic feel to the final image. I planned to return the following year to make some similar images. On my return one year later I was horrified to discover that the local council had cut the trees down because they were diseased.