Lingering Seasons: Photographing Autumn in Plum, Burgundy and Violet
We’re often drawn to moments when one season blends into another. In photography, that overlap can appear through contrasting cues. It is a dance, flowing quietly, nestled within the current season. Like blooming cherry blossoms, swaying in the crisp winter winds of the valleys of Glencoe, Scotland.
In late spring, the red maple leaves in nearby gardens hold the warm tones we associate with a crisp fall day. The violet florals in the background were a clear sign of the summer season to come, followed often too quickly by autumn.
One warm January day, nearly three years ago, I came across garden kale leftover from the autumn season. It was surrounded by melting snow from the winter sun. The vibrant purple stood out against the season’s muted palette, showing traces of autumn lingering through the winter season.
Throughout October, we focused on deliberate touches of plum, burgundy, and violet. These hues became a way to connect autumn’s warmth with the other seasons and to explore how colour can shape the way a photograph feels. We’ve found through the years that these shades linger across all seasons. The blossoms of spring, the blue hour nights of summer, and the morning light against the freshly fallen snow of winter.
Narrowing our focus forced us to work with less, but it also sharpened our attention. On every trail hike or city stroll, plum, burgundy, and violet began to stand out as anchors for a composition. We generally avoided curated botanicals so that the palette emerged naturally from the season, but sometimes we couldn’t resist one last macro photograph of the summer season’s florals.
The exercise also shaped the concept for our ‘Adorned in Seasons’ series. If you’ve followed Rome Wild for a while, you may have seen us photograph these vintage chandelier crystals in every season. For autumn, we brought the outdoors in by pairing the crystals with foraged fallen leaves, seasonal fruit, and faux floral accents. The purple shades we had noticed throughout October became the thread that tied the still life display together.
This past month has been a fun reminder that going back to basics can spark new ideas. Try restricting one element of your photography practice for a day; work in black and white, use only a kit lens, or follow one colour through your surroundings. A simple limitation can help you notice light, texture, or see the season differently. What would you choose? Let us know in the comments.
If one of these seasonal studies speaks to you, many of our photographs are available in print through our Etsy Shop, offering a way to bring these lingering colours into your own space, no matter what season you may find yourself in.
Comments