How to find beautiful autumn lanscape shots even in uninspiring locations

I recently returned from a trip to Iceland and was blown away by the abundance of beautiful scenery there. Each corner you turn, there is a new photo opportunity, and every season is photo-worthy. So you can imagine on my return home I’m now feeling a little uninspired by my local surroundings. We don’t even have autumn here in Spain, just the seasons of ‘hot’ and ‘less hot’. But, as a photographer, we need to push through these feelings and still find great photos no matter where we are. My bank account won’t allow me to visit Iceland too often after all!

In this video, outdoor photographer Russ Hampshire gives us his tips on how to find interesting and beautiful photographs, even when you’re in less than inspiring locations. And of course, in northern England, the autumn is beautiful, at least when it’s not raining!

Timing is key

The golden hour—shortly before sunset or after sunrise—is the perfect time for autumn photography. The warm, low-angled sunlight enhances the vibrant colours of the leaves and creates striking contrasts. A late afternoon outing can provide ideal lighting conditions to highlight natural details.

Personally, I prefer the sunset, not being much of a morning person. However, it shows just how much I love photography when I’m willing to drag myself out of bed at an ungodly hour to go and take photos!

Embrace light and contrast

Even in seemingly simple locations, light can transform your photos. For instance, sunlight streaming through leaves or reflecting off a river can create mesmerizing patterns. Look for areas where light enhances the natural textures or creates unique shadows to add depth to your images. Sometimes, shooting in black and white can completely change your perspective and give you fresh inspiration.

Focus on the details

It’s easy to forget the small details when you’re shooting a wide landscape, but these things often create compelling shots and greatly enhance story telling. Sometimes, a closer look at smaller scenes—a branch illuminated by sunlight, reflections in a calm river, or an interesting crop of trees—can result in stunning compositions. Be patient and take time to observe how the light interacts with your surroundings.

Keep it simple

Remember the principals of good composition: leading lines, rule of thirds, patterns, triangles and diagonals. These all help make an interesting photo and often thinking about these elements in a more abstract way can help you. For example, busy areas with dense branches or chaotic backgrounds can be challenging to photograph. Look for a focal point—a tree with a strong reflection or an area with clean light contrast—and build your composition around it.

Autumn is a wonderful time to slow down, appreciate nature, and capture its fleeting beauty wherever you are. Sometimes, you just need to open your eyes a little wider to see things from a fresh point of view.

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