Photographing Fall Foliage

[Heather Forcier]

Hi!

I'm a native Vermonter and a nature photographer. I hope to be getting out quite a bit this fall, 2006, to capture images of the local colors. I get asked about this a lot, so I thought I might share some tips on photographing fall colors that people might find useful.

Bright, overcast days can be really good to capture all the colorful hues.

As a digital photographer, I seem to recall using Fuji Velvia slide film produced the best results for me. Using a warming filter (81a) combined with a circular polarizer was also a good combination for shooting slides.

For digital, I simply use a circular polarizer, which helps reduce some glare and can have an especially nice effect on skies by making the blue a bit deeper, clouds more pronounced.

I will try to post updates here on what I see for color. Hope you enjoy fall in Vermont!

[Hollie]

Thank you for posting this! I have become more interested in photograhpy and this has definitely helped me.

[pwt54]

While working at the Montpelier Welcome Center I talked with some professional photographers and they used the same Fuji slide film. Heather, if you get a chance check out the swamp areas on Rt. 78 between Swanton and Alburg. There is a lot of color there right now. The water level is higher than normal and the trees are stressed.

[tremint]

Thanks a lot. It would be great if you could share the places/roads you plan to visit

[Heather Forcier]

I would like to check out Route 78, I'll see if I can do that soon.

As far as where I like to photograph fall color, generally I just pack up the car, carry a Delorme Atlas and just drive, getting lost on lots of little back roads and seeing what sorts of scenes I come across. Route 100 is always quite beautiful, and I like Moss Glen Falls - as well as Texas Falls which isn't that much further away. A drive through Lincoln Gap can be really nice, too.

If I think of or find any nice spots, I'll certainly post them!

[pwt54]

Route 100 is the premier paved state road for foliage viewing. It runs the whole length of the state and right down the heart of the Green Mountains. When are you coming up to Vt? It will be easier to name off some routes.

[Beth]

Heather ~

Great website! You are an amazing photographer!
I'm just a snap when you can... appreciate the tips..

Here are some of my favorite backroads for wildlife viewing and excellent fall foliage.
I have alot more but many are very remote especially in the northeast kingdom. There are easy to find and have lots of diversity.

Northern:

Hazens Notch area Rt. 58 - between Montgomery Center and Lowell in northern Vermont.
(moose and bear sightings)

Central:

Applachian Gap - Rt. 17 - between Bristol and Waitsfield
(moose)

Lincoln Gap - Lincoln to Warren

Middlebury Gap - East Middlebury to Granville

Brandon Gap - Brandon to Rochester

Southern:

Mount Tabor to North Landgrove

Kelley Stand Road:
East Arlington to West Wardsboro
(moose and bear sightings)

Some of the above are closed in the winter and some are rough, one lane at times and dirt.
They all travel east/west and cross back and forth over the green mountain range.

Lots of elavation changes with lots of variety of hardwoods and firs.

Just thought I'd share.

[Beth]

Heather ~

Great website! You are an amazing photographer!
I'm just a snap when you can... appreciate the tips..

Here are some of my favorite backroads for wildlife viewing and excellent fall foliage.
I have alot more but many are very remote especially in the northeast kingdom. There are easy to find and have lots of diversity.

Northern:

Hazens Notch area Rt. 58 - between Montgomery Center and Lowell in northern Vermont.
(moose and bear sightings)

Central:

Applachian Gap - Rt. 17 - between Bristol and Waitsfield
(moose)

Lincoln Gap - Lincoln to Warren

Middlebury Gap - East Middlebury to Granville

Brandon Gap - Brandon to Rochester

Southern:

Mount Tabor to North Landgrove

Kelley Stand Road:
East Arlington to West Wardsboro
(moose and bear sightings)

Some of the above are closed in the winter and some are rough, one lane at times and dirt.
They all travel east/west and cross back and forth over the green mountain range.

Lots of elavation changes with lots of variety of hardwoods and firs.

Just thought I'd share.

[pwt54]

Just to clarify things a bit, Middlebury Gap is route 125 and Brandon Gap is route 73. The Bethel Mountain Road starting from route 100 in Rochester Village and ending on route 12 in Bethel is a good ride and is paved. There are 2 National forest roads of route 100 that I like to ride on (and pick blackberries). Both of these roads are good dirt roads and they dead end, so you have to turn around and drive back. One is the West Hill/nfr 55 road in Granville. It starts behind the Blue Moose Bend craft shop off route 100. When you come to the "Y" intersection bear left onto nfr 55. You will come to a road on your right that is about 4 miles long. It's a nice ride with a couple of views. As you continue nfr 55 you will see a second road on your right. This is a short road to an abandoned farm. The old fields are still open with a good view. The road does go farther but the Rainbow Coalition had their get together here this year and I'm not sure how the road is now. (the buggers stole my blackberries) Continue nfr 55 to the end. It does change numbers but it's the same road. There is one great view near the end. The second road is the Bingo Road. This starts off route 73 in Rochester. Starting from route 100 in Rochester drive route 73 until it takes a hard 90 degree left turn. You go straight onto the Bingo Road/nfr 42 at this curve. There are a couple of side roads on this road. The first is the Flanders Hill road on the right side. It goes to an old cemetery. The road does continue but it is a 4 wheel drive road. Unfortuneatly there is a great view at the end. It's not a very long walk, however. The Bingo Road and the second side road may not offer much to a photographer but are nice rides and I have seen moose on this road. But that view on the Flanders Hill Road is worth the walk. It was on old side hill farm. The land owner keeps the field mowed. It does face southwest, so morning would be the best time to go. Another road I like is the old CCC road in Plymouth. It starts on route 100 about 1/2 of a mile south of Woodbury Pond and is called the Shrewsbury Road. It goes to North Shrewsbury. Also in Plymouth off route 100A is the Ranger Road. Some nice dirt roads to ride on in that area. Look for the Quarry Road off the Ranger Road. As you start on the Quarry Rd. look to the left and you'll see some granite blockks from the quarry. When the road takes a left turn look for a cleared area on the left. Pask there and walk a 100 yards to the quarry. There are vultures living there. I gotta quit. It's lunch time.

[pwt54]

OOPS that should be "park there and walk 100 yards".