As F. Scott Fitzgerald famously wrote, “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” Today, we’re sharing photos that highlight the colors, scenes, and magic of fall foliage.

autumn foliage, central park, new york city

Central Park, New York City – Sanjay Chauhan

“I took this picture last fall in Central Park. To see the park peaking with gorgeous colors was a special experience. I noticed that the reflections beautifully magnified the fall foliage, and then I spotted a person sitting on a rock in the bottom left corner. I knew it was going to be a great shot.”

 

red autumn leaves on mountaintop, norway

Kvalvika Beach, Lofoten, Norway – Tom Carter

“This photo was taken at Kvalvika Beach in Lofoten, Norway. I was drawn to the angle of the hillside, the foreground foliage, and the way the sunlight hit the tops of the peaks — the shot just felt right. This photo was the result of a three-hour flight, followed by a seven-hour drive through the night, and an hour hike through the dark to see the sunrise. It sounds a bit crazy, but sometimes the pros outweigh the cons.”

 

abandoned building in forest of autumn treesGroton State Forest, Vermont – Stephen Barna

“I never experienced a true ‘fall’ while I was growing up in Florida. That’s probably why it took me hours to drive through Groton State Forest in Vermont, when it should have taken less than 45 minutes. I kept stopping to ogle the changing colors of the forest.”  

 

 

 

 

 

Derby, Connecticut – Jason Hagani

“I spent the day waterfall-hunting in upstate Connecticut and was on my way home in the late afternoon when I spotted this view on the side of the road. It’s only 15 minutes from my house, but I hadn’t noticed it until then! I knew immediately that I was looking at something special — I pulled over on the side of the highway, grabbed my camera, and snapped away. It just goes to show that during a New England autumn, you never know where you might find the shot of a lifetime.”

pedestrian on bridge over gorge at golden hour

Vintgar Gorge, Slovenia – Jordan McFall

“We walked through the mist on our way to the river, surrounded by falling leaves. The sun shone through the misty air, creating a beautiful atmosphere. I asked my mate to run back down to the bridge and stand in the middle of it. Everything came together exactly how I had envisioned. What I love about this photo is that it reflects how the moment truly felt at the time — magical.”

 

 

Dunderave Castle, Loch Fyne, Scotland – Mark Harris “After spending the day photographing in Scotland, I had taken all of the shots I wanted for the day, so I packed up and started to drive home. The route took me along the east shore of Loch Fyne. As I approached, I saw the castle, nestled among the autumn foliage, and reflected in the Loch. I immediately pulled over and snapped this lucky shot. I’ve learned that if the scene presents itself, you have to grab it then and there!”

scottish castle, reflected in lake

barns and autumn foliage in adirondacksThe Adirondack Mountains, New York – Michael Block

“My trip to the Adirondacks marked my first experience with fall foliage. Growing up in Los Angeles, I’d only ever heard of the way trees light up in autumn. This shot was taken at a time considered “past peak” in terms of foliage, but it was unlike anything I’d ever seen. The vivid colors, the smell, the crisp air — it was truly awesome. Everywhere you looked, there seemed to be a perfect photo. Finding some elevation was a must. It is only from up high that you can really comprehend the endless sea of orange, red, and yellow.”

yellow autumn trees, street in moscowNovodevichy Convent, Moscow, Russia – Yulia Denisyuk

“I snapped this as I was walking near the 16th-century Novodevichy Convent in Moscow. I loved the way the light from the street lamps fell on the walkway, giving the whole scene a cozy feeling. After this walk, I warmed up by sipping thyme tea with honey — it was so cold that, by the time this photo was taken, I could no longer feel my fingers and toes. Warming up at a nearby cafe seemed like a perfect ending to this beautiful fall day.”

eiffel tower in autumnParis, France – Mary Quincy

“I have always loved fall in Paris — as the trees and leaves change colors, you can really see the transformation into a new season. And what better place to witness this change than at the Eiffel Tower? This bench was empty, and I couldn’t help but enjoy the fact that I was completely alone around this amazing, iconic Parisian monument. To me, autumn is some sort of preview of the winter and Christmas season, which I love the most.”

 

 

 

 

man in rapids under fall foliageNay Aug Park, Scranton, Pennsylvania – John Suhar

“My brother and I arrived at this spot, and there was no one else around to witness the tranquility. As I stood on a bridge to snap this photo, my mind flashed back to the time I biked through New York City’s Time Square to catch an impending train at Grand Central Station. There was quite a difference: being surround by thousands of people in a dense, urban area and feeling total solitude in such a majestic, natural setting. I reflected on these contrasting moments as I pressed the shutter button and loved that I was able to enjoy them both.”

hiker's boots on rock above autumn forestArtist Bluff Trail, New Hampshire – Yanan Aurora

“As I was hiking the Artist Bluff trail in New Hampshire, I was determined to capture the viewpoint I kept seeing on other Instagram feeds. The warm colors of fall foliage make me happy and give me energy, but views like this don’t last long because of falling leaves, so I was so glad to get a photo before the colors disappeared. The best part of the hike was finally reaching the bluff. The view was a sweet reward after a long day of hiking!”