FLICKR LINK: https://flic.kr/p/2rEdsbz
OBSERVATIONS
Why I Chose This Shot
I was drawn to this scene because it felt like a moment of quiet reflection, a simple bench surrounded by colour, light, and texture. It perfectly expressed what I love about autumn: stillness, warmth, and change. The bench became a symbol of calm and presence within the landscape, while the leading path invites the viewer to walk into the picture and share the moment.
The balance of warm golds, ambers, and browns against the cool tones of the pond created harmony and contrast. I wanted to capture how autumn feels both alive and peaceful at once, full of richness yet calm in its transition.
How the Composition Reflects Good Landscape Practice
• The horizon is straight, giving stability and realism.
• Depth is created through sharp focus from foreground to background at f/11.
• The curved path acts as a leading line that draws the eye inward.
• The soft light of late morning keeps detail and colour across the scene.
• The use of spot metering ensured that the shadows held detail.
• The tripod allowed a slower shutter speeds with perfect sharpness.
• The frame feels balanced and symmetrical, with the bench providing human scale.
• The trees naturally frame the focal point, guiding attention and structure.
• The horizon is straight, giving stability and realism.
• Depth is created through sharp focus from foreground to background at f/11.
• The curved path acts as a leading line that draws the eye inward.
• The soft light of late morning keeps detail and colour across the scene.
• The use of spot metering ensured that the shadows held detail.
• The tripod allowed a slower shutter speeds with perfect sharpness.
• The frame feels balanced and symmetrical, with the bench providing human scale.
• The trees naturally frame the focal point, guiding attention and structure.
Together, these choices helped me compose a scene that feels calm, grounded, and true to the spirit of the season.
What I Would Improve
If I were to take this shot again, I’d go slightly earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon to capture the lower, golden light that adds more depth and mood. I’d also try a slightly higher angle to show more of the pond behind the bench and refine the balance of the path in the frame.
I’ve recently bought a polarising filter, and I’d like to experiment with how it could enhance the leaf colours and reduce reflections on the water. These subtle changes would strengthen the composition and add more atmosphere while keeping the natural, peaceful feeling that drew me to this scene in the first place.
EQUIPMENT USED
Canon EOS R5
Canon RF 24-70 F2.8 L IS USM
Tripod
SCENE SET UP
I took this photograph on a calm autumn morning at Lesnes Abbey Woods at 11:56am. The soft, late-morning light gently lit the fallen leaves and the wooden bench without harsh contrast. I positioned the bench slightly off-centre, following the rule of thirds, and used the curving path to lead the viewer’s eye deeper into the frame. The foreground carpet of golden leaves adds texture, while the trees and pond reflections form the middle and background, giving the image depth.
I shot the photo with my camera mounted on a tripod for stability. Using spot metering, I took a light reading from the darker areas beneath the trees to balance exposure between shadows and highlights. The horizon is level, the trees frame the scene naturally, and the soft backlight filtering through the branches creates a warm, peaceful glow that defines the autumn mood.
CAMERA SET UP
Set the Camera Mode to Manual
Set the focus length to 24mm
Set the shutter speed to 1/10s
Set the aperture to F11
Set the ISO to 100
Set the metering to Spot
