The Northern Lights put on a show in Nain. (Submitted by Pauline Agnatok)
We got a mixed bag from Mother Nature recently. There was more snow, keeping spring at bay for another little while, but the aurora borealis was on display for (just about) everyone to see.
Enjoy the light show, then scroll to the bottom to see how your point of view can be part of next week’s gallery.
A beautiful, sunny evening in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. (Submitted by Lori Snow)
A clear reflection of some grounded ice on Salmon Cove Sands. (Submitted by Andrea Kelly)
The CCGS Louis S. St. Laurent departing Botwood Harbour on Saturday on its way to break the ice. (Submitted by Linda Lane)
A gorgeous pink and orange sky over Topsail Beach, CBS. (Submitted by Greg Horner)
When life gives you snow, you make a snowman! (Submitted by Gary Mitchell)
The carved out windswept land of Grates Cove getting a pounding from the beautiful waves driving into the rocky coastline. (Submitted by Eugene Howell)
The aurora borealis turns the sky an emerald green in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. (Submitted by Donna Crawford)
Red sky at night, black Lab’s delight! (Submitted by Gail Downing)
A starry night framed by the Northern Lights in Ocean Pond. (Submitted by Karen Reid)
Have a photo you’d like to share?
Here’s how to get in touch with us: email nlphotos@cbc.ca. It’s a dedicated address just for photo submissions from across Newfoundland and Labrador.
Here’s what we need from you: your name, where the photo was taken and a caption that tells us what’s in the image. We encourage you to add any information you think our readers would enjoy!
We share the photos we receive here, and we might also use them on Here & Now each weeknight during Ashley Brauweiler’s weather segments, as well as on our Facebook page, our Twitter feed and on our Instagram account. And we always give credit. Providing a handle for Instagram would be appreciated!
Because of the volume of submissions we receive, we cannot respond to everyone.
Astrophotography with a film camera is as fascinating and rewarding as photographing the night sky with a mirrorless or DSLR camera. But you must carefully choose your camera equipment to get sharp and colorful results. The best cameras for astrophotography offer the latest digital imaging technology, enabling you to push the ISO to extremes and shoot in low light without getting unusable levels of noise in your images. They’re also versatile enough for daytime shooting, so you get more value from your camera purchase.
Digital cameras have the latest features, but that doesn’t mean they’re the only option. Film cameras and analog photography have had a real resurgence in popularity in the last few years, beloved for their retro style and vintage appeal. Can you take astrophotography with a film camera? Yes. But you’ll have to put more thought, planning, effort, and care into your shoot.
We’ll help you choose the best camera, lens, and film for analog astrophotography, as well as the practical skills and techniques needed for the shoot. You might also want to read our astrophotography for beginners guide, which has lots more helpful tips on planning and composition than we’ve covered here.
Which film camera to use for astrophotography:
35mm film cameras are readily available secondhand and offer the biggest range of film and development options. (Image credit: Lauren Scott)
Bulb or manual exposure modes
Removable and interchangeable lenses
A format that’s easy to find film for
Generally, the best film camera for astrophotography will be a 35mm SLR camera, which you might even have in an attic at home (or a relative’s). These cameras are easy to find secondhand on sites like eBay (opens in new tab) and have interchangeable lenses, so you can choose and change the focal length. Look for one capable of opening its shutter for extended periods with ‘Bulb’ mode and a cable release, as well as ‘mirror lockup,’ which reduces vibration-induced motion blur caused by the camera’s mirror.
On most 35mm cameras you can set leave the shutter open for longer durations with Bulb Mode, or choose “auto” and have the camera calculate the exposure for you (Image credit: Lauren Scott)
Many of the most popular camera manufacturers made their name by making 35mm SLR cameras, including the Olympus OM1 (opens in new tab), Canon AE-1 (opens in new tab) and Nikon FE (opens in new tab), which we’ll use here. When buying a secondhand camera, consider the item’s condition rating and seller ratings (if the marketplace has them), as well as any testing that’s been done to ensure its working order.
Once you’ve mastered the basics of film astrophotography, you could advance your skills by using a medium format camera — which will have a larger sensor and result in much higher-resolution images.
Which film to use for astrophotography?
If your budget allows, we suggest trying out a wide range of films to see which works best for you — there’s a level of trial and error involved, but that’s part of the creative process. (Image credit: Lauren Scott)
35mm film is the most readily available
Choose a 400-speed film or above (ISO400)
Experiment with sensitive black-and-white films
Any film labeled as 35mm should be compatible with a 35mm SLR camera, but which is best suited to astrophotography? The light sensitivity of a film is measured in ISO (in much the same way as on a digital camera). For beginner analog astrophotographers, a film speed of 800 ISO is a good place to start; Kodak Portra 800 (opens in new tab) offers high sharpness and fine grain for low-light work.
However, some film astrophotographers choose films specifically for their blue and red light sensitivity. Provia 100f (opens in new tab) is one of the best films for color reproduction — albeit with a very low ISO that requires a much longer exposure time.
The beauty of astrophotography is arguably in the color detail, but with black-and-white films; you can sometimes push the ISO higher. If you like the idea of going monochrome, Kodak Professional T-MAX P3200 (opens in new tab) or Ilford Delta 3200 (opens in new tab) are worth trying. Ilford also makes films with extended red sensitivity (SFX 200 (opens in new tab)), which can yield interesting results for night-sky shots.
Picking out the best lens for film astrophotography
The best lens to choose is one with a wide focal length and a wide maximum aperture (Image credit: Lauren Scott)
A wide-angle focal length is best
An aperture of f/2.8 or wider
Checking your camera’s lens mount
You need to know what lens mount your camera takes (our Nikon FE camera (opens in new tab) was the Nikon F-mount), and then look online or in secondhand camera shops for compatible optics. The principles of what makes the best lens for astrophotography in digital cameras are similar to film cameras.
You want a lens with an aperture such as f/2.8 (or lower), as this will let more light reach the camera’s sensor. Many 35mm cameras come bundled with a 50mm f/2.8 kit lens, and while this might be adequate for practicing your astro techniques, it’s better to get a wider lens if you can, for more expansive views of the night sky. We’ve used a Nikon 28mm f/2.8 lens (opens in new tab).
Optional accessories
A headlamp with a red light will help keep your hands free and your night vision intact (Image credit: Future)
A cable release that’s compatible with your camera
A sturdy tripod to mount your camera on
A head lamp for seeing in the dark
You’ll need a tripod, but as film cameras and lenses are often lighter than their modern counterparts, it doesn’t have to be a heavyweight model like those in our best tripods guide.
A wired manual cable release helps fire the shutter without moving the camera during the exposure — unless your camera has a self-timer and auto mode.
Given that you’ll be shooting in the dark, having a small torch with a red light mode is a good idea, which will help preserve your night vision. Unlike digital cameras, film models don’t have light-up LCD screens of viewfinders, and you’ll need it to see your settings, lens focus and composition.
A head torch is useful for keeping your hands free — we were lucky enough to have one built-in to our Irix Expedition LED Winter Hat, but take a look at our best headlamps for astrophotography for some of our favorite models. Just remember to turn all lights off before you start your exposures.
You’ll get star trails instead of sharp points of light after about 15 seconds. As film photography requires much longer exposures, you might want to invest in a star tracker camera mount (Image credit: Lauren Scott)
As with all astrophotography, the Earth’s rotation can mean that you end up with star trails rather than sharp points of light. Getting around this means using one of the best star trackers (a mount that rotates your camera at the same rate as the Earth to allow blur-free long exposures). That said, this is quite an advanced setup, so we wouldn’t suggest you get one immediately.
Set-up and prep for film astrophotography:
Ensure you set the camera’s ISO to match the film. (Image credit: Lauren Scott)
Load your 35mm film
Change the battery if your camera has one
Set the film speed
To prepare your camera, load your chosen film and ensure the roll has been taken onto the spool. Note what film is inside the camera, so you don’t forget, and set the camera’s ISO dial to match the film inside.
If you haven’t used your film camera recently or bought a secondhand one, test any batteries and change them if you need to. Each camera has a different battery indicator — usually, there’s a light or noise — but you should be able to find a manual online if you’re unsure.
When prepping for a shoot, check the weather beforehand and look for clear night skies. Consider your location as light pollution is a significant problem if shooting in an urban area. Sites like Light Pollution Map can guide you on where it is best to shoot, but we’d still recommend trying it near your home if you can’t travel miles away.
Perfecting the technique:
We mounted our film camera onto the Manfrotto BeFree Advanced aluminum tripod to keep it stable during long exposures, and set the focus to infinity (Image credit: Lauren Scott)
Cover the viewfinder with dark tape
Set the lens to focus to infinity
Keep a note of your exposure times and settings
At your chosen location, mount your camera on a tripod and make sure it’s steady. Set the focus to infinity, and the lens aperture as wide as it can go. It’s a good idea to cover the viewfinder with dark gaffer tape to avoid any light leaks during the exposure, and as you shoot, we’d recommend keeping a log of the exposure used for each frame so that you can see what worked when they get developed. Avoid winding the film on until you’re ready to take the next shot, so you don’t press it accidentally.
Challenges we faced (and how to get over them):
By scanning the 35mm negatives into JPGs, we could edit the original images and improve their contrast and colors (Image credit: Lauren Scott)
Exposure times
Reciprocity failure
Hard to compose images
The main challenge of shooting film astrophotography is knowing how long the exposure time should be, as the required exposure will go beyond what’s shown on your camera meter (if you have one). Don’t be afraid to extend your shutter time beyond typical recommendations for pin-sharp milky way photography, and bracket a variety of shutter times, for example, 15, 30 and 45 seconds.
Astrophotography with a film camera isn’t easy, but that means when you do get some shots of the night sky, they’re even more valuable. (Image credit: Lauren Scott)
Composing images through an analog viewfinder in the dark can be difficult. You might want to set up a digital camera (with a similar focal length) in the same spot first to see how the composition looks.
We encountered a lot of light pollution as we were shooting on the edge of a city. That meant that the edges of some of our shots were too bright, so once we’d scanned our negatives into high-quality JPG files, we pulled back the highlights and increased their contrast in Adobe Photoshop CC (opens in new tab). The dehaze slider is great for cutting through excess light and impurities in the air, but it also tends to introduce unwanted noise.
To create this composite long exposure, NASA astronaut Don Pettit combined multiple 30-second exposures from a mounted camera on the space station into one image. — NASA
Stars leave streaks of light in concentric circles in this March 16, 2012, view from the International Space Station.
Stars leave streaks of light in concentric circles in this March 16, 2012, view from the International Space Station.
To create this composite long exposure, NASA astronaut Don Pettit combined multiple 30-second exposures from a mounted camera on the space station into one image.
The orbiting laboratory travels 5 miles per second, traveling around our planet every 90 minutes.
Do you take photos when you’re out on a hike? Of course, you do – we all do. Why wouldn’t you want to capture the amazing scenery atop a hill or that pretty bird you spotted in the forest? Everyone needs to see them. Sadly, not everyone will enjoy the blurry, underexposed, badly-framed pictures you took on your smartphone; however, with these five tips, you can ensure that people will not only endure but actually enjoy your hiking photos.
One thing that can certainly ruin your photography is wearing inappropriate gear, which will make you less focused on capturing the beauty of nature. As the adage goes, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing,” so make sure you dress appropriately for the weather, time of the day and area you’re about to traverse. Check out T3’s best waterproof jacket, best hiking boots, and best hiking backpack guides for more info.
The best thing about these hiking photography tips is that they don’t start with ‘buy the Canon EOS R6 Mark II’ (full disclosure: we love that bad boy). In fact, you can upgrade your outdoor photos at no extra cost using these suggestions. Using the proper gear helps, but not necessary. The five hiking photography rules are as follows:
Have your camera at hand at all times: Time is of the essence when you spot an animal or a cloud formation, so having your camera or smartphone at hand is essential. If you’re using the former, something like the Peak Design Capture (retailer link) can be helpful.
Start early/finish late: The best lighting conditions are when the sun rises or sets, so time your hikes accordingly.
Follow the basic rules of photography: Rule of thirds, framing, vantage point – you can only break the rules if you understand them, and you need to follow them to understand them. Pay attention to the scene in front of you and how you want to capture it.
Tell the whole story: Don’t just take seven million photos of the same mushroom on the forest floor; take the viewers on a journey by showing them the best pictures from beginning to end.
Edit the photos: You can use any editing software but tweak the images before they are shown to others. Many photo apps are free to use and can do automatic editing (e.g. Snapseed). Alternatively, you can use paid software such as Adobe Photoshop or Affinity Photo to edit your pictures more professionally.
Need new camera gear? T3 can help you choose the best beginner camera, the best mirrorless camera, the best DSLR camera or the best compact camera for you. For the most adventurous of you, we recommend the best action cameras or the best drones (maybe both).
Ruko are a relatively small player in the drone market, but have just introduced a new drone that has peaked our interest, the F11 GIM2. This new drone is no toy despite the relatively low price with a set of features that are geared towards photography enthusiasts, from beginners to professionals.
One of the most notable features of the F11 GIM2 is its 4K camera with a two-axis gimbal and Electric Image Stabilization (EIS) technology. The camera is capable of capturing high-quality images at 3840x2160P resolution in JPEG format, while videos can be recorded at 4K/30fps in MP4 format. The drone also supports 5x optical zoom, which allows for safer and more convenient transitions between shots of varying distances and compositions.
The F11 GIM2 comes with what Ruko calls three-axis gimbal stabilization system, this is slightly different from our usual understanding of true three axis image stabilisation. In reality this system uses a combination of two-axis mechanical along side EIS to provides stable footage. This system is designed to ensure that images and videos remain clear and stable, even in challenging flying conditions. The camera’s angle can be adjusted between -80° and 0°, providing flexibility in capturing different perspectives.
Another significant feature is the drone’s extended 9800ft (3km) HD video transmission range. This enhancement to the transmission capabilities allows for smooth and consistently high-quality image transmission, even at greater distances. The F11 GIM2 also boasts Level 6 wind resistance, ensuring that the drone can maintain stable flight and capture clear footage in windy conditions.
The drone comes equipped with two batteries, providing a total of 56 minutes of flight time. These intelligent and safe batteries monitor and report their power status in real-time, ensuring that the drone does not run out of power unexpectedly. The charger supports an output current of 5V/3A, which is adaptable to different charging needs.
GPS-assisted features are also present in the F11 GIM2 drone, including auto-return home, GPS follow, point of interest, and waypoint flight. These features make flying the drone more accessible and creative, especially for beginners. The accompanying app offers intuitive instructions, enabling users to start flying with just a few taps.
The F11 GIM2 drone supports smooth 5G video transmission and can even be used with VR glasses, adding an immersive dimension to the drone-flying experience. It has a maximum flight distance of 9842ft (3000m) outdoors and unobstructed and can reach a maximum height of 393ft (120m).
Weighing in at 20.6 oz (1.28 lb), the drone is relatively lightweight, with dimensions of 17.7×15.9×3.1 inches when unfolded. The F11 GIM2 can store photos at a resolution of 3840x2160P in JPEG format and videos at 1280x720P in MP4 format. It supports a maximum card storage capacity of 128GB, although the card is not included in the package.
The Ruko F11 GIM2 drone package includes the drone itself, a rechargeable remote controller, two intelligent flight batteries, a spare pair of propellers, three Type-C cables (charger not included), three user manuals, an Allen wrench, and 12 screws.
In summary, the Ruko F11 GIM2 drone offers various features that cater to photography enthusiasts at various skill levels. Its 4K camera, gimbal stabilization system, and GPS-assisted
Over 200 people were in attendance on Friday as the Photo Arts Club of Toledo announced the winners of their annual amateur photography competition.
The grand prize this year was a certificate for a La-Z-Boy chair valued up to $599.
Competition was fierce as 146 photographers had submitted 732 photos to the contest. The number of entries was more than double the number of the previous year.
Wennie Anderson, co-director of the contest, attributes the increased interest to skilled advertising as well as interest in the La-Z-Boy chair.
“A lot of advertising goes into it,” said Anderson. “Different television stations and different radio stations and different newspapers… It’s a lot of work but it’s really worth it.”
The number of entries to the contest exceeded the previously announced limit of 500 total submissions.
“We had said we were going to stop at it at 500,” said Anderson. “We didn’t really realize that there was four places that the pictures could be dropped off to be entered. And when we picked up all the pictures, we had 732 pictures.”
Although there were more submissions than planned, the judges made sure to give each one a thorough review. The seven judge panel, comprised of professional photographers and Metroparks leadership, took five and a half hours to judge the photos.
The photos are displayed in the National Center for Nature Photography within Secor Park. They are available to view on weekends from noon to 4 p.m. until March 6th. The exhibit will also be closed on Easter weekend.
This year’s best in show was HMS Belfast at Night by Jamie Van Natta. A full list of winners can be found here.
April 2023 brings an opportunity for perhaps the ultimate shot for any astrophotographer – a total solar eclipse – but only those who are prepared to travel to remote areas of the globe. For everyone else, the month is peppered with astronomical highlights, from the year’s first decent meteor shower to a rare conjunction of bright planet Venus and the Pleiades, surely one of the night sky’s most beautiful and most often photographed sights.
Add the rise of a full ‘Pink moon’ and plenty of opportunities to shoot the crescent moon and April 2023 is a great month to dust-off that camera and tripod and get outside looking up.
Thursday, April 6: a full ‘Pink Moon’
The rising full moon is always a great subject for astrophotographers(Image credit: Jamie Carter)
If you’re not already an expert at photographing, the rising full moon each month and you’re not trying hard enough. It’s mainly about being in the right place at the right time, so check your local moonrise time and be punctual at a location with a good view low to the eastern horizon (a second or third-floor window works well). The trick is to catch it as it appears draped on orangey hues alongside buildings or mountains in the distance. Use a 70-300mm lens, a tripod and a remote shutter release and experiment with short exposures – the rising full moon is a bright object indeed.
Read: How to photograph the full moon
Sunday-Monday, April 9-10: The moon occults Antares
Just before or after midnight depending on your location (use the Stellarium Web Online to check) look southeast you’ll be greeted by a waning gibbous moon close to the brilliant Antares, the brightest star in the constellation of Scorpius. This red supergiant star is positioned directly above the Milky Way’s center. From North America only the moon will obscure Antares, causing it to vanish from sight for about an hour.
Tuesday, April 11: Venus and the Pleiades
Venus in the Pleiades from 2020. (Image credit: Jamie Carter)
The highlight of the astrophotography month for many will be this pass of Venus just 2.5° from the Pleiades (also called M45). Get yourself an unobstructed view of the western horizon immediately after sunset, but bear in mind that you’ll need to work fast because the planet and the Pleiades will sink below the horizon within an hour or so. If you’ve not yet tried to capture M45, here’s a great excuse. You can try a night either side, too, when Venus will be almost as close.
Read: The best cameras for astrophotography
The Old Ruins at Portencross under the Milky Way. 30secs at f/11, ISO100. (Image credit: Getty Images)
Thursday, April 13: April’s dark sky window opens
Today it’s Last Quarter (or Third Quarter) moon, which sees our satellite half-lit from our point of view. Better still, it rises after midnight, and will rise about 50 minutes later each night for the next week. Cue this month’s dark sky window – which means it’s time for astrophotographers after nightscapes to get moving! If that’s not enough to get you roused, know that it’s also International Dark Sky Week.
Saturday, April 15: Crescent moon and Saturn
If you can hack the early start then there’s a pretty conjunction between Saturn and a 27%-illuminated crescent moon. The action happens low on the east-southeast horizon just before sunrise. You’ll need a wide-angle lens to capture them together.
Read: When to photograph the moon
Thursday, April 20: total solar eclipse
The Baily’s Beads effect is seen as the moon makes its final move over the sun during the total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21, 2017, above Madras, Oregon, USA. (Image credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)
It’s a New Moon today, but this month it’s what it causes that will most interest astrophotographers. Occurring only once every 18 months or so on average, a total solar eclipse happens when a New Moon exactly covers the Sun, though only from a very narrow path of totality across Earth’s surface. That path is barely 60 miles wide today – about as narrow as it can ever be – and it crosses the tiny remote town of Exmouth in Western Australia as well as Timor Leste and West Papua. Expect jaw-dropping images from some of the 50,000 or so eclipse-chasers who will make the trip to the southern hemisphere.
Friday, April 21 and Saturday, April 22: A crescent moon, Pleiades and Venus
Across these two evenings, there will be a chance for astrophotographers to grab a wide field view of a slender crescent moon close to the Pleiades. Just to add to the spectacle, bright Venus will hang just above and dimmer Mercury below.
Saturday-Sunday, April 22-23: Lyrid meteor shower
When a moonless night sky meets a meteor shower it’s time to get your camera on a tripod. If you get lucky with a clear sky then expect about 20 ‘shooting stars’ per hour during the peak of the Lyrids meteor shower. That occurs in the early hours of Sunday in Europe and as soon as it gets dark on Saturday in North America. The ‘shooting stars’ will appear to come from the constellation Lyra,
Read: How to photograph a meteor shower
Sunday, April 23: Venus and a crescent moon
Aim towards the western horizon after sunset today and you’ll see a 15%-lit crescent moon showcasing the beautiful phenomenon of “Earthshine – sunlight reflected from Earth back onto the dark limb of the moon. It’s possible to capture it using a camera, but only in the first few days of the lunar cycle before it gets drowned out by the growing brightness of the moon.
Tuesday, April 25: Mars and a crescent moon
Again in the western sky shortly after dark will be the spectacle of a now 30%-lit crescent moon close to the red planet Mars. The two objects will be about 3º from each other, so easy enough to capture in the same field of view with a telephoto lens.
Wide-angle shot of the month: Lyrids meteor shower
(Image credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls)
The key to photographing a meteor shower is to experiment with different settings until you get a great-looking image of the night sky. Then use either a shutter release cable on lock or your camera’s built-in intervalometer, to take as many identical shots as possible over as many hours as possible. You’re bound to capture one or two ‘shooting stars’. Here’s the basic technique:
Read: How to photograph a meteor shower
Read more:
• Astrophotography: How-to guides, tips and videos (opens in new tab) • Astrophotography tools: the best camera, lenses and gear (opens in new tab) • The best lenses for astrophotography (opens in new tab) • The best star tracker camera mounts (opens in new tab) • Best equatorial mounts (opens in new tab) • Best deep-space telescopes (opens in new tab) • The best light pollution filters (opens in new tab) • The best CCD cameras for astrophotography (opens in new tab) • The best spotting scopes (opens in new tab) • The best binoculars (opens in new tab) • The best microscopes (opens in new tab)
Read more:
• Astrophotography: How-to guides, tips and videos (opens in new tab) • Astrophotography tools: the best camera, lenses and gear (opens in new tab) • The best lenses for astrophotography (opens in new tab) • The best star tracker camera mounts (opens in new tab) • Best equatorial mounts (opens in new tab) • Best deep-space telescopes (opens in new tab) • The best light pollution filters (opens in new tab) • The best CCD cameras for astrophotography (opens in new tab) • The best spotting scopes (opens in new tab) • The best binoculars (opens in new tab) • The best microscopes (opens in new tab)
Read more:
• Astrophotography: How-to guides, tips and videos (opens in new tab) • Astrophotography tools: the best camera, lenses and gear (opens in new tab) • The best lenses for astrophotography (opens in new tab) • The best star tracker camera mounts (opens in new tab) • Best equatorial mounts (opens in new tab) • Best deep-space telescopes (opens in new tab) • The best light pollution filters (opens in new tab) • The best CCD cameras for astrophotography (opens in new tab) • The best spotting scopes (opens in new tab) • The best binoculars (opens in new tab) • The best microscopes (opens in new tab)
Here are the 30 puzzling photos that will make you think twice, shared by this online community called r/mildly interesting subreddit that will leave you amazed.
We all have seen countless photographs in our lives. Some of them are so stunning and captivating that we cannot take our eyes off them, while others may leave us confused and puzzled. In this article, we have compiled a list of 30 puzzling photos that will make you think twice.
In conclusion, these puzzling photos will make you think twice and question the reality of what you are seeing. They are truly fascinating and showcase the power of perspective, angles, and creativity in photography.
Here in this gallery, you can find 30 best confusing photos. All photos are linked and lead to the sources from which they were taken. Please feel free to explore further works of these photographers on their collections or their personal sites.
#1 These Fishnet Stockings Made From The Table’s Shadow
Image source: Nicky-Al-Dente
#2 This Pot I Was Letting Soak Formed A Yin Yang In The Grease And Soap
Image source: call_it_sleep
#3 The Mushroom On This Dog’s Snoot Looks Like An Upvote
Image source: PaperTronics
#4 This Agate That Looks Like A Wildfire
Image source: Magnetron85
#5 The Way The Sunlight Reflects Off My Vase Makes It Look Like Smoke
Image source: SimpleSpyder
#6 The Way The Light Shines Through The Bookcase Makes A Cityscape Shadow
Image source: Mitchdavismann
#7 I Present To You The Rare And Wonderful Dogtopus
Image source: lospolloshermanas
#8 Pen Made Of Recycled Water Bottles Casts A Shadow Of A Water Bottle
Image source: Tyler__Harris
#9 The Colors In This Piece Of Agate Look Like A Sunset
Image source: forged_elements
#10 The Inside Of My Red Onion Looks Like A Lotus Flower
Image source: Ban_Pending
#11 My Friend’s Snake Has The Superman Logo Naturally Emblazoned On Its Skin
Image source: backdoorwolf
#12 Sunlight Through This Fountain Looks Like It Is Pouring Lava – l’Aquila, Italy
Image source: daenel
#13 This Onion Ring Shaped Like A Perfect Treble Clef
Image source: childofthemoose
#14 Shadow Follows
Image source: easymichelle
#15 Coco Biting On A Toy Lightsaber, Looks Like He’s Shooting His Laser Beam
Image source: cokeplusmentos
#16 Pineapple?
Image source: heraldedplaying
#17 This Frozen Puddle Looks Like A Topographic Map
Image source: kmgenius
#18 The Shadow From This Plant Makes It Look Like There’s A Decal On My Friend’s Car
Image source: fidlarla
#19 Frozen Feature Shaped Like A Mushroom
Image source: pete_ohara, instagram.com
#20 This Bubble In A Frozen-Over Ice Fishing Hole Looks Like The Moon Rising Over A Forest
Image source: JephriB
#21 My Blinds Reflection Looks Like Lunar Phases On My Wall
Image source: spaniard702
#22 The Sunset Lighting Makes It Look Like Firebreath
Image source: PoonSwoggle
#23 My Cat’s Shadow Is Actually My Other Cat
Image source: IAMGodAMAA
#24 My SO’s Mother Has Cutting Boards That Look Like Books When They’re Put Away
Image source: mosoriaa
#25 This Perfect Heart Shaped Cactus I Found
Image source: ArgentinaMalvina
#26 These Opals Look Like Mini-Hatching Dragon Eggs
Image source: smm2194
#27 Looks Like They’re Flying To The Moon
Image source: weII_then
#28 Freezing Rain On Tree Branches Look Like Blood Vessels
Image source: grafxguy1
#29 A Moth On My Mini Buddha Statue Makes It Look Like Buddha’s Wearing A Coat Or Cape
Autumn is a season of transition and change, a time when the world around us transforms into a kaleidoscope of warm colors and textures. It is a time when the trees shed their leaves, revealing the intricate details of their branches, and the air becomes crisp and cool. Autumn is also a season of nostalgia, a time when we reflect on the memories of summer’s past and anticipate the coming winter.
Towering Aspen and Silver Birch trees intertwine to create a wall of autumn splendor on Last Dollar Road between Telluride and Ridgway in Colorado. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
Art Inspired By Autumn
Autumn, also known as Fall, is the season that exists between summer and winter, where many types of plants and trees slip into dormancy as they prepare for the cold weather to roll in. During this season, trees that aren’t evergreens undergo a process often called the “changing of the leaves.” When the weather starts to cool, the foliage gradually fades from a rich green to shades of yellow, red, orange, and brown before the leaves die and fall to the earth.
There is no shortage of inspiration to be found in this beautiful season. From the vibrant colors of the changing leaves to the misty mornings and hazy sunsets, autumn offers a wealth of opportunities to capture its beauty and essence through artistic mediums. Travelers visit destinations all over the country in preparation for this change to take place, as the autumn leaves are often a sight to see, sometimes resembling a brilliant fire.
Planning vacations according to the projected fall changes isn’t unheard of, and several popular destinations exist where the colors that come about during fall are more vibrant and memorable than in other areas across the country.
There is no question why they call it colorful Colorado as dappled light and dreamy clouds drift over the top of the San Juan Mountains outside Ridgway, Colorado. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
7 Places In The US To Find Fall Color Inspiration
Below are some of the most remarkable places to visit in the United States if you want to explore the changing seasons on an autumn photography expedition or simply gather inspiration for an upcoming fall-themed painting.
1. Autumn In Vermont
Autumn in Vermont is characterized by vibrant colors of foliage as the leaves on the trees turn from green to shades of red, orange, and yellow. This natural phenomenon draws tourists from all over the world to witness the stunning display. The crisp cool air, clear blue skies, and the smell of wood smoke from cozy fires create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Vermont’s agricultural heritage is also celebrated during the fall season, with harvest festivals, apple picking, and pumpkin patches. The season lasts from late September to early November, with the peak foliage usually occurring in mid-October.
Places to See Include Stowe, Manchester, Woodstock & Bennington.
A young and fiery Lace Leaf Japanese Maple tree glows in all its autumn glory just inside the gates of the Portland Japanese Garden in Portland Oregon. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
2. The Colors of Colorado
Colorado is composed of a fantastic mix between cities, friendly little towns, and wide open wilderness. As such, it’s a premier destination for fall travelers with any sort of preference. The state of Colorado is one of the very best displays of autumn color and the United States and a must see place to visit if you want to hike, raft, camp, or perform any activity out in nature.
Additionally, there are several towns and cities that welcome travelers around the fall season. If you want to remain warm and comfortable in addition to seeing truly one-of-a-kind views of the leaves changing in fall, Colorado should be at the top of your list. If you are an aspiring nature photographer and you haven’t visited Colorado during fall, you simply don’t know what you are missing!
Places to See Include, Breckenridge, Owl Creek Pass, Million Dollar Highway, Telluride & Aspen.
The gnarled branches of a Japanese maple spread forth a flaming crown in a sculpted garden in Portland, Oregon. Beside a tranquil pond, the winding footpaths and soft beds of moss are scattered with the gold and crimson stars from this dazzling display. Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.
3. The Pacific Northwest in Autumn
The Pacific Northwest experiences a beautiful and unique autumn season characterized by cool temperatures, rainy weather, and colorful foliage. The forests in the region turn golden and red, making it an ideal time for outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. I have spent my entire life and career as a nature and landscape photographer in the Pacific Northwest. As a result, I have provide you with a list of my favorite photography locations to experience the wonder of autumn in the Pacific Northwest.
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington – This park is famous for its stunning fall colors, and visitors can enjoy the scenery while hiking, camping, or taking scenic drives.
Columbia River Gorge, Oregon – The gorge is known for its waterfalls and scenic drives, but it’s also a great place to witness the fall colors.
Leavenworth, Washington – This charming Bavarian-style village is surrounded by mountains and forests that turn golden and red in the fall, making it a popular destination for leaf-peeping.
Silver Falls State Park, Oregon – This park features a scenic hiking trail that takes visitors past several waterfalls and through a beautiful forest that turns bright shades of red, orange, and yellow in the fall.
A rush of clear water races down from the forbidden peaks of a range of misty mountains. Along the rocky banks, flashes of gold announce the arrival of autumn to the high places. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
4. Chasing Fall in Maine
Maine is the uppermost state in the northeastern section of the US, and if you’re a traveler who enjoys historical settings and colonial design, you’ll want to pay Maine a visit. In addition to historic buildings and museums, Maine also has an array of rolling hills, mountains, forests, and waterways.
It’s a beautiful state, especially for artists who want to capture images of the season’s effects in a variety of settings (for example: fields, rocky terrain, creeks, the outskirts of towns, etc.).
Places to See Include Acadia National Park, Camden & Kennebunkport.
A dense forest of aspen outside Leavenworth, Washington forms a tangled maze of black and white. Only the red flashes of the undergrowth, clinging to the last warmth of autumn show the way through. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
5. Fall Color & History In Virginia
Virginia is another great location for vacationers who enjoy both history and nature. Virginia has plenty of historical sites to visit as well as attractive landscapes to photograph. The national park walking trails present plenty of opportunities to observe the natural world as the leaves change colors, and depending on how far down the trails you walk, you’ll surely come across something inspiring.
Places to See Include Charlottesville, Abington & Shenandoah National Park.
6. Autumn Wild In Wyoming
Unlike some of the areas mentioned in this list, Wyoming isn’t always a key destination for travelers who want to see forests and mountains. However, the rolling country setting across the state provides great photo opportunities and inspiration to drive the creation of art.
While there are areas that have trees and mountains, some of the grassy fields and farm fences provide artists with a nice change of scenery.
Places to See Include Cheyenne, Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Park.
A royal carpet of scarlet leaves winds through a stand of maples in the deep of fall. A quiet country road bears its hidden splendor before the snows that will hide its brilliant chromatic display until next year. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
7. The Diversity of Autumn In Utah
Utah’s geography is incredibly diverse including mountain ranges, forests, and deserts and slot canyons, each with its own unique autumn color palette. In the mountains, aspen trees are a major contributor to the fall foliage display, turning vibrant shades of yellow and gold. In the lower areas and canyons of Utah, Cottonwood and other trees and shrubs provide an endless show of the brilliance of the changing seasons.
Places to See Include Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Factory Butte and Capital Reef National Park.
Why is Autumn Themed Art So Popular?
Fall-themed art is warm, welcoming and easy to blend in with existing art pieces in a home or office. Reds, yellows and browns mix well with many typical color schemes found in the home. Earthy colors and tones are quite versatile, and when used to capture a specific scene, these colors can evoke moods and emotions that compliment and tie together the elements of your decor.
People enjoy autumn nature photography and fall-themed art because it inspires a sense of calm, a feeling of warmth, security and protection from the cold outside world. Autumn art is also nostalgic, often reminding its viewers of time spent with family and friends, the holidays and the comfort and happiness the season often brings.
Autumn Nature Photography
Since my childhood, autumn has always been my favorite season. As a nature photographer, I look to autumn every year and do the majority of my best work during this time of year. If you enjoy autumn photography and the colors of the fall season, I invite you to experience it through my eyes across my online galleries including Mountains & Meadows, Aspen & Birch Photography & my Japanese Gardens Collection.
The crystal waters of a mountain stream pass lazily over golden stones and around lichen-covered boulders. Along the low banks, the vegetation is ablaze with the colors of fall. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
Dappled light kisses the peaks of the Rocky Mountains and illuminates the autumn leaves of an Aspen grove like matchsticks in the wind near Ridgway, Colorado. Fine Art Limited Edition of 50.
A tangled web of skeletal branches lace together the ashen trunks of a grove of aspen near Leavenworth, Washington. Unfazed as yet by the chill of winter, the fiery hues of the autumn undergrowth bleed through a hush of fog. Fine Art Limited Edition of 100.
A representational image showing pilgrims holding their phones up to capture the sight of Holy Kaaba. — Twitter/@HajMinistry
The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has issued a new set of guidelines for the pilgrims regarding photography and videography at the Two Holy Mosques — Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina — during the pilgrimage.
Keeping the sanctity of the holy sites in view, the Saudi authorities said that some measures have been taken in the said regard.
“In the Two Holy Mosques, we take into account the sanctity of the place, so we have the etiquette of photography, and we preserve the rights of others,” a statement released on the ministry’s Twitter said.
As per the new guidlines, the pilgrims have been advised:
Not to take others’ pictures without their consent
Not to take anyone’s pictures while they are praying
Not to disturb anyone during worship
Earlier, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had announced that the pilgrims will be permitted to perform Umrah only once during Ramadan and would not be allowed to repeat the ritual.
The move aims to give an opportunity to all pilgrims who want to perform Umrah during the holy month and can perform the rituals with ease and comfort.
The ministry stressed the need for pilgrims to get a permit from the Nusuk app to perform Umrah, in addition to the importance of their commitment to the specified time.
There is no feature to amend the Umrah date, but pilgrims can delete their appointment via the Nusuk app, before entering the permitted time and then they can issue a new permit, Saudi Gazette reported.
The ministry confirmed that the appointments are updated periodically, noting that if the pilgrims do not find a date for reservation, then they can search for another date at a later time.
