Autumn Road
This was one of the first times I felt completely in sync with my gear. I had just started experimenting with how focal length changes perspective, and 49 millimeters turned out to be a sweet spot. It was close enough to feel personal, yet far enough to preserve the depth of the scene. The light that evening was soft and low, brushing across the trees and asphalt with that fleeting warmth that only appears in late autumn.
I edited this photograph in Lightroom and Photoshop to draw out the golds and reds while keeping the shadows gentle. The distractions I removed were minor, such as a few roadside signs and stray brush along the edges, but eliminating them created a sense of quiet balance.
Technical Breakdown
Camera: Sony ZV-E10
Lens: Tamron 18–300mm
Focal Length: 49 mm (about 73 mm full-frame equivalent)
Aperture: f/4.5
Shutter Speed: 1/160 s
ISO: 100
Flash: Off
Time: 5:28 PM (Golden Hour)