We want you to take Fall farther and shoot some images that reflect the theme another way.  When you approach a traditional type theme, try some experimentation.  How can you illustrate the it in a less traditional way?  You can start with another familiar subject of the theme – just not the first thing everyone thinks of.  What about pumpkins and gourds?  We’re not far from the mainstream of the Fall set, but they’re not as common a photo as the leaves.

We can stray more from the theme.  Sometimes you can take elements of the theme and make them a supporting element of the photo.  In this one, the main subject is the garden statue of St. Francis.  The leaves have lost most of their color, but their meaning is still there.  If I asked you when this was taken, the leaves would immediately cue you in to the proper season.

We get even more subtle in the next photo.  This image is all lines and texture with blowing leaves stuck in the corners.  The only real color comes from our leaves.  This kind of image works best in conjuction with other photos when your audience knows the theme.  Although you can easily see Fall in this photo while we’re talking about it, Fall probably isn’t the first thing that would come to mind if you saw only this one image.

If you are determined to use the primary symbol of a theme, try to find a way to change it.  This image wasn’t manipulated in Photoshop (although that is another way you can alter the main symbols of a theme.)  It is a reflection.  I threw a rock into the creek to make the image more abstract.

Look for ways to make your images different.  The old clichés are fine, and we all shoot them.  But, every now and then, use your creativity and make something a little more unique.  You’ll learn more that way and keep your viewer’s interest keen.

So today, I had some personal business in the morning and wanted to just gather my thoughts for the afternoon.  I headed out to the Shenandoah Valley through the lovely town of Sperryville to catch the tail end of the fall foliage.  It peaked last week and would have been nice, but cold soaking rain is not my favorite. 

In Sperryville, next door to the general store is a maple tree, resplendent in orange and gold.  The sun was a little bit high in the sky, but I was able to filter the light for some nice backlighting.  

Across the way, a small B&B had the pumpkins on the porch, and the porch had a view of the tree.

Up and across the Blue Ridge to the river—didn’t see grandma’s house anywhere.  It’s tough, sometimes to get good photos here as the persistent haze is what gives the mountains their name.  A little boast on the clarity slider on an applied gradient, helps cut through to see the distant colors. 

Finally, back home.  Folks, don’t forget to really look around your own back, or in this case front yard for fall color.  I planted this Japanese Maple, 6 years ago and have watched it grow with the house. 

I shot a bunch of pictures from the river overlook with the intention of building a panorama.  We’ll see how that turns out, if it works I’ll write about it.  Oh, if not, it will never be seen.  That is the last tip for today, if you want people to believe you are a good photographer, don’t show off your bad or average work.  Be selective, very selective.