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Experience the peak of autumn color in the North Carolina High Country during this immersive landscape photography workshop designed for photographers who want to capture the Appalachian Mountains at their most vibrant. Each fall, the Blue Ridge Mountains explode with rich reds, fiery oranges, and golden yellows, creating one of the most photogenic seasons in the Southeast. This workshop focuses on photographing fall foliage in mountain environments, including scenic overlooks, winding backroads, forested trails, and high-elevation viewpoints that showcase the full depth and scale of the autumn landscape.
Overview:
Participants will learn how to create compelling fall color landscape photographs by mastering composition techniques specific to autumn scenes. We’ll cover how to work with layered mountain ridges, leading lines created by roads and trails, and foreground elements like colorful leaves, moss-covered rocks, and flowing water. Emphasis will be placed on building depth in your images, balancing bold color without oversaturation, and creating visual flow that guides the viewer through the frame. You’ll gain a stronger understanding of how to simplify complex foliage scenes and make intentional compositional choices in the field.
Light is everything in landscape photography, and this workshop will teach you how to work with the ever-changing autumn mountain light. You’ll learn how to photograph during golden hour, manage high-contrast scenes common in fall forests, and take advantage of overcast conditions that are ideal for saturated color and detail. Instruction will include exposure techniques, use of histograms, dynamic range control, and camera settings tailored to fall foliage photography in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The workshop will also focus on creative and technical skills that elevate your images beyond the snapshot. Topics include using focal length to compress mountain layers, choosing the right lens for grand landscapes versus intimate scenes, and incorporating movement in water and leaves for added atmosphere. Participants will be guided on tripod technique, focus stacking when needed, and refining their shooting process to work efficiently in rapidly changing fall conditions.
In addition to technical instruction, this autumn photography workshop emphasizes seeing and storytelling in the landscape. You’ll learn how to slow down, read the terrain, and respond to light and color as it unfolds. Whether you’re photographing iconic fall vistas or quiet moments along a forest trail, the goal is to help you create images that reflect both the beauty of the North Carolina High Country and your personal photographic vision.
This North Carolina fall color photography workshop is ideal for photographers of all experience levels who want hands-on instruction in one of the most celebrated foliage destinations in the eastern United States. From the Blue Ridge Parkway to high-elevation overlooks and backcountry locations, this workshop offers an unforgettable opportunity to grow your landscape photography skills while experiencing the magic of autumn in the mountains.
TERRAIN
Mountain Terrain, dirt, rock, leaves. Good sturdy footwear and a hiking pole are recommended
ACTIVITY
Easy to Moderate trail walking up to a 1.5 miles
EXPERIENCE
Aspiring to Advanced. Cell Phones are welcome
GROUP SIZE
6-7 Participants
TEMPERATURES
30-80 degrees. Full Winter and Summer Outerwear is recommended.
HUMIDITY
35 %
NEAREST AIRPORT
Asheville, NC
Charlotte, NC
Topics we will cover
How to research potential shoot locations
How to read the weather
Learn how to create powerful compositions and bring your artistic vision to life
Visualizing your composition, capturing and guiding the viewer
The use of Neutral Density and ND Graduated filters to enhance and control light.
How to identify and control: Balance and visual flow
The use of filters to enhance and control light. How to “see” light
How to control shutter speed for the look you want
Histograms, how to read them, and why they play an important role
Focus Stacking for extreme front and back focus
How to use lens compression, when to use it, and when to go wide
How to blend focal lengths and exposures to maximize Dynamic Range
How to create beautiful Long Exposures to unveil a hidden visual world of intrigue and wonder
Image Critique and the Visual Experience. How do others interpret and read your images?
Post Processing and Digital Workflow in Lightroom and Photoshop, including third party software
What’s included
Photography instruction with Landscape Photographer Tommy White.
Lightroom and Photoshop training.
One full day of landscape photography on the High Country and surrounding areas.
One-on-one field guidance on framing, settings, visual flow, and “seeing” in the landscape.
GPS field guidance to track our shoot locations. Other helpful software.
Drinks and Snacks are provided during the Workshop.
How to use your equipment.
Visual interpretation of the landscape. How to “see” and use the light.
Online training Session following the Workshop.
Guidance and safety throughout the entire trip.
What’s not included
Participants should plan to provide their own transportation. Carpooling will be available at your own discretion.
Meals during the trip. I will always have drinks and snacks on hand, but plan to travel with your own favorites as well.
Lodging - We will provide information for you on Lodging upon registration.
Park and admission fees. We are fully permitted in State and National Parks, but occasionally there are other fees per individual.
Alcoholic beverages.
Travel Insurance (Highly Recommended, but optional).
Personal Items.
PACK LIST
Click HERE to view the Packlist
Cancellation Policy: If you need to cancel your booking more than 30 day out, you will be issued a trip credit for any other Workshop in the same year. If your cancellation is within 30 days of the trip, your payment will be forfeited.