Nature's paintbrush
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Photographers capture autumn’s beauty in the 12th annual fall foliage photo contest
Fifty-seven photographers submitted more than 120 photos of the most colorful season in Vermont, from postcard-perfect farmland vistas to unique mountain angles, stunning skies that matched the fiery leaves, and a number of aww-inspiring images featuring curious cows, autumnal pups and a darling plaid-clad baby.
The contest ran through September and October. From our perspective, peak foliage began right around the first week in October. The colors may have seemed a bit muted when compared to other years — many factors can affect the vibrancy and timing of fall foliage, including rainfall and heat. July 2018 was the hottest month ever recorded in Burlington, according to the National Weather Service, with a mean temperature of 76 degrees.
But Vermont never disappoints, and the forests were awash in tawny hues of orange, red and yellow.
“Even in the worst year, you can find yourself on a day somewhere, someplace, and in the right set of conditions, with the right landscape or the right view, it can still be stunning,” said Abby van den Berg, an associate professor at the Proctor Maple Center.
•••
In a multi-round voting process, photographer Gordon Miller and Stowe Reporter staff determined this year’s winning shots.
(If you would like to purchase an image, e-mail foliage@stowereporter.com and we’ll connect you to the photographer.)
Top 10 Photographers
- Joel Heller
- Scott Braaten
- Dan Krieger
- Katherine Hoagland
- Dan Krieger
- Scott Braaten
- Chris Mitchell
- Richard Levine
- Bruce Olsson
- Judi Leigh Alberi
2018 Prizes/Sponsor
Prizes were donated by Edson Hill, a distinctive Vermont bed-and-breakfast and luxury country inn in Stowe.
- First place: Two-night lodging for two at Edson Hill.
- Second place: Three-course dinner for two (excluding alcohol) at Edson Hill.
- Third place: Cross-country rentals and trail day passes for two at Edson Hill.
Round Top
- Photo by Joel Heller
- Updated
1st Place. "Round Top," Stowe.
From the photographer Joel Heller: I took it with my Canon 7D with a 24-105 Canon L-series lens at ISO 125, F 9.0 for 1/50th of a second from Little Spruce on Oct. 9. I felt like that was about peak foliage, and got some shots of the Notch with my drone as well. The light was amazing that morning, with some scattered valley fog.
I love photography and have enjoyed it since I was 12 and my dad gave me my first camera. He shared his passion for photography and passed it along to me. People might get tired of me taking photos, but for me, it is a form of mindfulness, as I am always focused on the light, patterns, colors and, sometimes, smiles before me. I love recording what pops up, and impresses me in any given instant as a story.
This photo was processed in Lightroom, and I accidentally highlighted the clouds with a gradient adjustment that came out with a unique hue. I thought the colors were an 8 out of 10 this year, but I was grateful to celebrate my 57th birthday in Stowe, where my wife and I will retire, having enjoyed our second home here for 21 years.
Autumn Waterfall
- Photo by Scott Braaten
- Updated
2nd Place. "Autumn Waterfall," Stowe.
From the photographer Scott Braaten: This season’s foliage was spectacular as always, and it is always surprising how fast the transition goes. As a photographer, you really only have a one-week window to capture photos of the peak foliage before stick season moves in. I was out taking photos every day during the peak foliage time frame, and one day we received several hours of torrential rainfall, so it was worth going to check out some mountain waterways that feed down into the West Branch. The bright foliage stood out to me at this location and those dark, dreary autumn days seem to make the colors even more vibrant. We live in a stunning part of the world here in Vermont, and it’s always amazing to see the show that Mother Nature puts on every autumn. I already can’t wait for next year’s display!
Camel's Hump Sunrise
- Photo by Dan Krieger
- Updated
3rd Place. "Camel's Hump Sunrise," South Burlington.
From the photographer Dan Krieger: I absolutely love the Vermont foliage season. This shot was facing Camel’s Hump from South Burlington on a chilly October morning … waiting and waiting for the right window. Probably took over 70 shots, always adjusting as I go, and I had it zoomed at 170 mm on a tripod and used HDR (high dynamic range combining 3 shots) to even out the lighting, since it was before the sunrise and there was so much contrast between the orange sky and the foreground. Shooting raw, I then edited it a little in Lightroom. I’ve also found you often get the best shots before a sunrise or after a sunset.
Traveling around the state this year, it seemed the leaves seemed to drop in southern and central Vermont before the northern areas, and you had to pick your spots, and heard from others that this season was a little “weird.” Over the past four years I have become more immersed in my photography, shooting mainly Vermont landscapes, and participate in various Facebook photography groups.
Happy shooting this winter!
Autumn LVRT Ramblings
- Photo by Katherine Hoagland
- Updated
Honorable Mention/4th Place. "Autumn LVRT Ramblings," Morristown.
Late Day Serenity in Cambridge
- Photo by Dan Krieger
- Updated
Honorable Mention/5th Place. "Late Day Serenity in Cambridge," Cambridge.
Quintessential Notch
- Photo by Scott Braaten
- Updated
Honorable Mention/6th Place. "Quintessential Notch," Stowe.
The Gap
- Photo by Chris Mitchell
- Updated
Honorable Mention/7th Place. "The Gap," Lake Willoughby.
Reflections on the Reservoir
- Photo by Richard Levine
- Updated
Honorable Mention/8th Place. "Reflections on the Reservoir," Green River Reservoir.
Elmore Morning
- Photo by Bruce Olsson
- Updated
Honorable Mention/9th Place. "Elmore Morning," Elmore.
Lefferts Pond Reflection
- Photo by Judi Leigh Alberi
- Updated
Honorable Mention/10th Place. "Lefferts Pond Reflection," Chittenden.
Late Sun on Mt. Mansfield
- Photo by Dan Krieger
- Updated
Finalist. "Late Sun on Mt. Mansfield," Cambridge.
Stowe
- Photo by Mike Hitelman
- Updated
Finalist. "Untitled," Stowe.
Foggy
- Photo by Drew Bressel
- Updated
Finalist. "Foggy," Groton.
Stowe
- Photo by Mike Hitelman
- Updated
Finalist. "Untitled," Stowe.
Autumn Brook
- Photo by Dotty Molt
- Updated
Finalist. "Autumn Brook," Stowe.
The Watcher
- Photo by Dotty Molt
- Updated
Finalist. "The Watcher," Stowe.
Golden Hour
- Photo by James Napoli
- Updated
Finalist. "Golden Hour," South Reading.
Beaver Dam
- Photo by Joel Heller
- Updated
Finalist. "Beaver Dam," Stowe.
Leaf Baby
- Photo by Charlotte Haab
- Updated
Finalist. "Leaf Baby," Sterling Gorge.
Sterling Fog
- Photo by Ted Lague
- Updated
Finalist. "Sterling Fog," Morristown.
Stream
- Photo by Isaiah Gaskell
- Updated
Finalist. "Stream," Elmore.
Brook in the Fall
- Photo by Richard Levine
- Updated
Finalist. "Brook in the Fall," Sterling Brook.
Fall Rainbow
- Photo by Chris Lillie
- Updated
Finalist. "Fall Rainbow," Stockbridge.
Pure Gold
- Photo by James Napoli
- Updated
Finalist. "Pure Gold," West Windsor.
Mirror Image
- Photo by Drew Bressel
- Updated
Finalist. "Mirror Image," Belvidere.
Troubadour (True) The Golden Retriever
- Photo by Katie Ziegler
- Updated
Finalist. "Troubadour (True) The Golden Retriever," Stowe.
Randall Linebacks
- Photo by James Napoli
- Updated
Finalist. "Randall Linebacks," South Reading.
Wild Horse Running
- Photo by Jim Albright Sr.
- Updated
Finalist. "Wild Horse Running," Johnson.
More like this...
Round Top
- Photo by Joel Heller
1st Place. "Round Top," Stowe.
From the photographer Joel Heller: I took it with my Canon 7D with a 24-105 Canon L-series lens at ISO 125, F 9.0 for 1/50th of a second from Little Spruce on Oct. 9. I felt like that was about peak foliage, and got some shots of the Notch with my drone as well. The light was amazing that morning, with some scattered valley fog.
I love photography and have enjoyed it since I was 12 and my dad gave me my first camera. He shared his passion for photography and passed it along to me. People might get tired of me taking photos, but for me, it is a form of mindfulness, as I am always focused on the light, patterns, colors and, sometimes, smiles before me. I love recording what pops up, and impresses me in any given instant as a story.
This photo was processed in Lightroom, and I accidentally highlighted the clouds with a gradient adjustment that came out with a unique hue. I thought the colors were an 8 out of 10 this year, but I was grateful to celebrate my 57th birthday in Stowe, where my wife and I will retire, having enjoyed our second home here for 21 years.
Autumn Waterfall
- Photo by Scott Braaten
2nd Place. "Autumn Waterfall," Stowe.
From the photographer Scott Braaten: This season’s foliage was spectacular as always, and it is always surprising how fast the transition goes. As a photographer, you really only have a one-week window to capture photos of the peak foliage before stick season moves in. I was out taking photos every day during the peak foliage time frame, and one day we received several hours of torrential rainfall, so it was worth going to check out some mountain waterways that feed down into the West Branch. The bright foliage stood out to me at this location and those dark, dreary autumn days seem to make the colors even more vibrant. We live in a stunning part of the world here in Vermont, and it’s always amazing to see the show that Mother Nature puts on every autumn. I already can’t wait for next year’s display!
Camel's Hump Sunrise
- Photo by Dan Krieger
3rd Place. "Camel's Hump Sunrise," South Burlington.
From the photographer Dan Krieger: I absolutely love the Vermont foliage season. This shot was facing Camel’s Hump from South Burlington on a chilly October morning … waiting and waiting for the right window. Probably took over 70 shots, always adjusting as I go, and I had it zoomed at 170 mm on a tripod and used HDR (high dynamic range combining 3 shots) to even out the lighting, since it was before the sunrise and there was so much contrast between the orange sky and the foreground. Shooting raw, I then edited it a little in Lightroom. I’ve also found you often get the best shots before a sunrise or after a sunset.
Traveling around the state this year, it seemed the leaves seemed to drop in southern and central Vermont before the northern areas, and you had to pick your spots, and heard from others that this season was a little “weird.” Over the past four years I have become more immersed in my photography, shooting mainly Vermont landscapes, and participate in various Facebook photography groups.
Happy shooting this winter!
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