Capturing Autumn in Dartmoor: The Rewards of Patience and Perseverance in Photography

I returned to Dartmoor to capture autumn colours, only to feel disappointed by the subdued hues and lack of immediate inspiration. Nearly ready to give up, I pushed on and eventually found beautiful scenes along the River Dart, experimenting with my 14-30mm lens and a 3-stop ND filter for long-exposure shots. I discovered a sunlit clearing, capturing a 3-shot panorama and a backlit tree with stunning contrast. The day ended with a quick test of my new Sirui 24mm anamorphic lens, leaving me glad I persevered. Dartmoor proved that patience often leads to hidden gems, even when initial conditions feel uninspiring.

Back in Dartmoor for Autumn: Finding Beauty Amidst Disillusionment

Returning to Dartmoor for autumn photography is always a joy. This season, however, Devon’s autumn has felt muted, with the usual vibrant hues seeming a little shy. I arrived full of expectation, but as I scanned the landscape, I couldn’t help but feel a creeping sense of disillusionment. The colours were understated, and the composition opportunities just weren’t jumping out. I nearly decided to pack up and head home, frustrated that the day wasn’t shaping up as I’d hoped. But rather than giving up, I decided to keep exploring—and that persistence rewarded me in unexpected ways.

The First Shot: A Test of Patience

My first shot did little to lift my spirits—a capture of some trees, lacking strong compositional elements or interesting light. In that moment, it felt like the scene mirrored my own frustrations, and I began to doubt whether this outing would yield anything worthwhile. This initial attempt, though, reminded me of an essential lesson in landscape photography: not every frame will be a masterpiece. Sometimes, it’s simply part of the process, especially when conditions are challenging.

Moving Down to the River Dart

With renewed determination, I made my way down to the banks of the River Dart, one of Dartmoor’s iconic spots. Here, the surroundings began to reveal their potential. I switched to my 14-30mm lens, hoping that the wider perspective might capture the quiet beauty of the scene. The river’s steady flow against the backdrop of golden trees created a serene atmosphere. To add depth to the scene, I decided to experiment with shutter speed, aiming to capture that smooth, silky effect that adds a dreamy quality to moving water.

I reached into my bag for my filters and found my trusty 3-stop ND filter from K&F Concept. This allowed me to slow the shutter speed down to 1.6 seconds, just enough to blur the water’s motion while keeping texture in the shot. Sadly, I realised I’d left my circular polariser at a previous spot, which would have helped reduce reflections on the water’s surface. Nevertheless, the ND filter worked well on its own, giving the river a soft, flowing appearance that contrasted beautifully with the crisp detail of the rocks and autumn foliage.

A Clearing Bathed in Autumn Light

Moving on, I stumbled upon a small clearing illuminated by autumn sunlight. The trees glowed warmly, casting intricate shadows across the ground. This was the moment I’d been hoping for—a scene that encapsulated autumn in Dartmoor, with a natural spotlight highlighting the vibrant leaves and creating layers of colour and texture.

I composed my shot as a three-image panorama, aiming to capture the full breadth of the scene. After taking the shots, I stitched them together in Adobe Lightroom, adjusting the exposure and colour balance to enhance the warm tones and deep shadows. The result was a sweeping view that conveyed both the grandeur and intimacy of the scene, drawing the viewer into the forest’s golden embrace.

A Clearing Bathed in Autumn Light

Moving on, I stumbled upon a small clearing illuminated by autumn sunlight. The trees glowed warmly, casting intricate shadows across the ground. This was the moment I’d been hoping for—a scene that encapsulated autumn in Dartmoor, with a natural spotlight highlighting the vibrant leaves and creating layers of colour and texture.

I composed my shot as a three-image panorama, aiming to capture the full breadth of the scene. After taking the shots, I stitched them together in Adobe Lightroom, adjusting the exposure and colour balance to enhance the warm tones and deep shadows. The result was a sweeping view that conveyed both the grandeur and intimacy of the scene, drawing the viewer into the forest’s golden embrace.

Discovering the Magic of Backlighting

As I moved around to explore different angles, I noticed how beautifully the backlight transformed the scene. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a delicate glow that separated the foreground trees from the shadowy woods in the background. This natural contrast added depth and dimension to the composition.

Using a slightly tighter frame, I focused on a single tree, allowing the backlight to highlight its form against the darker backdrop. The interplay of light and shadow was mesmerising, emphasising the tree’s structure and autumn foliage in a way that felt almost three-dimensional. This shot quickly became one of my favourites from the day, reminding me of the power of light to elevate even the simplest subjects.

Experimenting with My New Anamorphic Lens

As the day drew to a close, I remembered the Sirui 24mm anamorphic lens I’d recently added to my kit. I hadn’t planned on using it for this shoot, but curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to see how it handled Dartmoor’s landscape. The lens’s unique characteristics, including the wider aspect ratio and subtle oval bokeh, offered a fresh perspective that transformed familiar scenes into cinematic frames. Though I’ll delve deeper into the results of this lens in a future blog, this initial test left me excited to incorporate it into my landscape work.

Reflection: The Rewards of Perseverance in Landscape Photography

Reflecting on this outing, I’m grateful I didn’t let my initial disappointment dictate the day. Landscape photography requires patience and adaptability—qualities that Dartmoor reinforced for me. It’s easy to get discouraged when conditions aren’t ideal or when inspiration feels lacking, but often there’s beauty waiting if we’re willing to keep searching.

This shoot became a journey from frustration to discovery, with Dartmoor revealing its quiet, subtle autumn colours in its own time. In the end, it wasn’t the bold, dramatic hues I’d envisioned, but a softer, more nuanced palette that felt uniquely Devonian. This experience reminded me that each season—and each shoot—has its own character, and the challenge lies in capturing its essence, even when it defies expectations.

So, if you find yourself in a creative rut or facing less-than-ideal conditions, remember to take a deep breath, adjust your perspective, and keep exploring. Photography’s beauty often lies in the surprises we find along the way, and Dartmoor, as ever, rewarded me for staying a little longer and looking a little closer.

See behind the scenes  in this video