As a photographer, I’ll do anything to make the images I see in my head come to life, which is why I love the autumn images I can create with my two most-loved lenses: the Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 and the Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8. This powerful duo gives me the versatility I demand, while also producing images that are crystal clear and sharp. And for capturing beautiful fall colors, these two lenses are all I need.
The quality of the Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is amazing, not only the build of the lens but also the quality of images it produces, plus I much prefer its width and length. It feels substantial in my hands, but isn’t overly heavy for zoom.
Bottom line, the Tamron 24-70mm belongs in your bag. I love that the price is reasonable; at $1,199, it’s a steal. That’s a lot of focal lengths for such a low cost. I don’t see a difference in the quality of my images that would warrant buying this same focal length for a much greater price. Save that money and go on vacation with your family and your Tamron glass instead!
Now check out my favorite five tips for creating gorgeous fall photos with your Tamron lenses:
1. Make the most of it.
I’m fortunate to live in an area that sees stunning fall color, however it’s still easy to achieve that fall look if you can find a small area of fall foliage. Just use your Tamron SP 70-200mm f/2.8 DI VC USD lens to zoom in close to your subject to really highlight both your subject and the fall color. No one will know you only had one small bush or tree with a few leaves changing. I can get the beautiful background compression I love when using the longer focal length of 70-200mm, while keeping my subject perfectly sharp.
2. The shadow knows.
One of my favorite things about fall is the deep, rich colors mother nature puts on full display. To keep that rich color while shooting I tend to look for areas that have those deep tones already present. I often will place my subjects in open shade right on the edge of the shadow line so that they are being lit by the sun, but behind them I make sure the background is falling off into shadow to keep those deep tones. Wooded paths with overhanging branches are great locations.
3. Create a color story.
When it comes to color I don’t only consider the location. I also coordinate what my subjects are wearing to complement the colors at location. My goal is to have my subjects stand out in the frame. Knowing the location where you are going to shoot is helpful so that you can plan your wardrobe to create a pleasing color contrast. Outfitting your own family or kids is always a little easier compared to when you are working with clients. Giving clients a range of colors and tones that would complement the location is always a good idea. Burgundy, dark greens, and deep yellow are beautiful colors that work well in the fall, especially when paired with dark neutrals. Some of my favorite clothing tones for my own children are blues, yellows (if there is a fair amount of green in the trees yet), and deep reds.
4. Make like a tree.
I like to add depth and extra fall color to an image by shooting through some colorful leaves. This adds a nice foreground element and is excellent for framing your subject. Play around with your aperture to see how in focus you want your leaves to be in the foreground. Generally I shoot at f/2.8 to blur the leaves, but at times I want more details in the foreground so I increase my f-stop.
I used to be a prime lens girl but over the last year I’ve switched to mainly shooting with a 24-70mm. It’s such a great focal length to get a lot of variety during a shoot without needing to take the time to switch lenses. It’s perfect for incorporating foreground elements because I can so easily adjust to a focal length that works perfectly for my vision. I just love the versatility I can get and that it produces an almost 3-D look I can’t replicate with other lenses.
5. Early bird.
One thing I love about golden hour in the fall is that it’s earlier. This makes shooting in that beautiful golden light easier, especially when you are photographing younger children with early bedtimes. Even my older children do better with earlier photo shoots! Take advantage of the early sunsets and go explore with your family or clients.
The Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is perfect for backlighting. It grabs focus quickly, right where I want. It also does well while shooting into the sun, which can be a tricky situation for some lenses. The flare from this lens is drool-worthy and the bokeh is smooth. I’m particularly impressed with the beautiful flare it produces while shooting directly into the sun — gorgeous without being overpowering. And although chromatic aberration can be an issue with backlighting, it isn’t with this lens. A dream come true for this light lover.
Experiment with shooting backlit images with varying apertures to see how the f-stop affects the flare. I love the diffused glow when I’m shooting at f/2.8, but I also love the defined sunbursts when I’m shooting at f/11. Have fun and mix it up.
Words & photos by Mickie DeVries
This is a sponsored post.
