Fall Leaves - 50with50 / The Circle of Leaf Life

Back to the 50(mm)s

50with50 No. 45

Fallen sweetgum leaves in our front yard are the latest subject in the 50with50 series.

As you may know, there have been a whole series of fall posts around here lately. After all, that is the season we are currently in. And after all, we have not been many places besides our own home during COVID-19.

Also, as you may know, I have been doing a 50with50 series this year that features photos taken with a 50mm lens. That series is actually nearing its end, as you might notice from the “No. 45” in the caption above.

So far, I have not combined the two series into one post. Until today, that is. Because why not enjoy a 50mm look at some fall leaves? The fall colors around here are getting more and more bold as we get into November, and I thought it would be good to try to capture those colors before they are completely gone.

I like the look of yellow, red, and brown leaves on the ground. Unfortunately, leaves don’t hold on to their colors for very long once they leave the trees. Many of the leaves on the ground have already turned brown, so I figured I better go out with my camera while I could.

This particular collection of sweetgum leaves had a good bit of variety in it, so it made a good photo subject. While yellow tones dominate the frame, other colors are there, too. Some brown leaves and still-green grass add some other colors to keep things interesting.

The Circle of Leaf Life

Many people are either raking their leaves or chopping them up with the lawn mower right now. I don’t see anything wrong with that at all if that is what you want to do.

However, our yard is full of leaves and pine needles right now, and I don’t have any intention to pick them up. They will eventually either blow away or decompose and fertilize the yard. If they are still there in the spring, they will be chopped up the next time we cut the grass.

Until then, the leaves will crunch under our feet, or gently blow in the wind. The leaves and pine needles will help to cover the dead grass and add a little character to our yard. And then eventually the leaves that don’t blow away will become fertilizer for the tree that they came from, helping it to continue to grow and thrive.

The whole process is like the Circle of Life from The Lion King, except in tree and grass form. The Circle of Leaf Life, maybe.

And it moves us all. Or at least it moves me to share a photo or two with you.

Bible Verse

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” - Luke 12:34

About the Photo

As I mentioned above, I took this photo with a 50mm lens for it to be in the 50with50 series. I knew the look that I wanted from the leaves, and the 50mm lens was the best one to use for that.

I also took this photo in the shadows, because I wanted a more filtered light look. The sun was already bright on this particular morning, so I had to position myself between the leaves and the sun so that I was creating enough of a shadow here. However, I also took a photo using the sunlight, and it turned out well, too. I am guessing it will be No. 46 in the 50with50 series. Watch for it soon!

Photo: A single Raw exposure, processed in Aurora HDR. Read more about photography tips, photo software, camera gear, and more at Steve’s Photography Tips.
Camera: Sony Alpha A7 II
Lens: SonyFE 50mm f/1.8
Date: November 9, 2020
Location: Home, Williston, Tennessee