As October unfolded, so did the rich colors and shifting light that make autumn one of the most captivating seasons for landscape photography. This month’s adventures took me through misty valleys, ancient woodland, and scenic coastlines across the High Weald and South Downs. From early morning sunrises over quiet villages to hidden paths lined with centuries-old trees, October offered a wealth of inspiration.

Autumn photography brings its own set of challenges and rewards—ever-changing weather, low-angle sunlight, and a kaleidoscope of colors that can transform even the most familiar landscapes. In this blog post, I’ll share the highlights of my October shoots, each scene capturing a fleeting moment in the heart of the season.

Butts Brows Sunrise

I actually shot this early September 2024 just before my trip to Thailand so there was no September review. So thought I would include it in Octobers review.

An early morning sunrise shot from the Butts Brow on the south downs east Sussex. Was hoping for more mist that morning but not materialise still a nice sunset, just handholding with the 70-200mm lens.

Peak Design Sling Bag 10L

Doing these kind of handheld shots quite a lot recently what with the excellent Denoise in Lightroom the tripod is getting less essential to carry. I have now invested in a Peak Design 10L sling bag so can carry the 70-200mm or even the 100-400mm lens attached to the camera body and just pull out and shoot. Also waiting for a monopod to be delivered.

Brightling High Weald Autumn Woodland

After the vibrant chaos of Bangkok, it was pure relief to return to the quiet embrace of October’s autumnal woodland on the High Weald near Brightling. The shift from bustling city life to tranquil, tree-lined paths was exactly what I needed.

The woodland here is wonderfully peaceful, a world away from crowded streets. I much prefer the company of trees to the company of people. I set out on familiar footpaths near Brightling, with some routes I’d explored before and others I was seeing for the first time. The walk rewarded me with hidden patches of private woodland, rich with mature trees that felt like they’d never been photographed or even noticed by many before.

Beachy Head Moonrise

The October Hunter’s Full Moon was set to rise, and I had envisioned capturing it as it intersected perfectly with the Beachy Head Lighthouse. My plan was to approach from Eastbourne and Cow Gap during low tide, hoping for a clear shot facing east.

Seals at Beachy Head

However, as I arrived, my attention was drawn to a group of seals lounging on the rocks. I couldn’t resist the chance to photograph them, so I quickly swapped to my 100-400mm lens with a 1.4x teleconverter, giving me a focal length of 560mm at f/8.

I got as close as I could and captured a few shots of these relaxed, curious seals, fully enjoying the October coast.

Beachy Head October Moonrise

By the time I turned my focus back to the moonrise, I’d missed my ideal positioning behind the lighthouse.

I’d underestimated the time needed to scout the right spot from Cow Gap—a lesson for next time! Despite the detour, capturing both the seals and the October moonrise made for an unforgettable evening on the cliffs.

Eastbourne Pier Moonrise

The night of the full October moonrise had arrived, and though I’d considered returning to Beachy Head Lighthouse, the moon was set to rise further northeast. After checking Photopills, it looked like Eastbourne Pier would be the perfect location for a dramatic alignment with the moonrise. Conveniently, parking along the parade was inexpensive and just a short walk from the East Sussex seafront.

Lilac Sky Over Eastbourne Pier

Though low clouds disrupted my original vision of the October moon rising behind the pier, I was rewarded with a beautiful lilac sky over the iconic Victorian pier. The calm sea mirrored the soft colors, and in hindsight, this scene would have been perfect with a high tide, an ND filter, and a long exposure to add a touch of ethereal simplicity.

When the moon eventually rose, it was much darker than anticipated, and I hadn’t positioned myself quite right for the perfect alignment with the pier. Yet, the peaceful October evening and soft pastel skies made the experience well worth the visit.

Alfriston Misty Morning Sunrise

Almost didn’t make it out of bed for this one; I was feeling under the weather and tempted to skip it. The forecast had promised mist, which was my main motivation, but as I left Hastings, there was no mist in sight. It wasn’t until I neared the South Downs that thick fog finally appeared, bringing hope for a magical October morning.

Recently, South Downs National Park had featured one of my photos of Alfriston, reminding me of a shot I’d long visualized—capturing the church spire lit by the sunrise, surrounded by a soft veil of mist. Perfect conditions seemed to be unfolding, so I headed back to this familiar spot.

As I hiked up the hill above Alfriston, visibility was almost zero; the fog was dense, and I began to doubt my plan. But as the sun rose to the southeast, the fog slowly started to lift. The crest of Wilmington Hill emerged first, breaking through the mist, with the moon setting over Firle Beacon—a sight I hadn’t expected.

It was a waiting game to see if the church and village of Alfriston would appear. When they finally did, the scene was softly illuminated by the morning light behind me. The mist, lingering just long enough for a few quick shots, created a gentle, atmospheric effect, even if the light was a bit flat from the front. In those few seconds before the mist dissipated, I managed to capture the quiet beauty of an October morning on the South Downs—a brief, magical moment worth the early rise. In hindsight I should have prioritised the dramatic mist down in the valley and the peaks of the south downs rising above and headed round towards Wilmington hill.

Bo Peep to Alfristion

Still recovering from a cold and chest infection, I decided to venture out for another dawn shoot near Alfriston, feeling just well enough to give it a try. This time, I aimed to capture the church from a side-lit angle, hoping for better contrast and depth. In October, the forecasted calm, clear conditions often bring morning mist to the Cuckmere Valley, thanks to the moisture from the river—ideal for capturing Alfriston’s autumnal charm.

Misty Morning Sunrise Over Alfriston

Starting from Bo Peep, I hiked towards Alfriston and found new viewpoints that framed the village from a south-facing perspective, with the rising sun casting light over Wilmington Hill to the east. This angle provided a richer, side-lit view of Alfriston Church, and the surrounding woodland added splashes of autumn colour that only deepen at this time of year. The mist lingered in the valley, creating a soft, atmospheric layer around the village and accentuating the warm October colours.

Mountfield Darwell High Weald

Sometimes, when the weather’s good, it’s more about the walk than the photography. With no specific composition in mind, I set out simply to enjoy the High Weald scenery, letting late October’s autumnal beauty guide me. At this time of year, walking through the woodlands in East Sussex feels especially rewarding, as the colours deepen and the season shifts toward winter.

I started from Mountfield and followed a mix of country lanes and footpaths around Darwell Reservoir and through the upper reaches of Darwell Forest. I hadn’t been on this route in years, and revisiting it reminded me of the varied views and tranquil charm that make the High Weald such a special place. The morning mist softened the landscape, adding a touch of atmosphere to the autumn colours.

Mountfield Netherfield High Weald

Mid-morning, I returned to Mountfield to explore the path toward Netherfield, winding through Crowhurst Forest. It had been years since I last walked this route, and I couldn’t recall much about it, making it a perfect time for a revisit. The High Weald’s autumn woodland in October is a stunning setting, with rich seasonal colours that make every step rewarding. Originally, I’d planned to continue past Netherfield, but feeling a bit tired, I decided to turn back earlier than intended—a reminder that I’m not quite as fit as I’d like to be!

I didn’t expect to reach for my camera until I came upon a small, vibrant patch of woodland with a few mature beech trees. The autumn colors were striking, and I took a few handheld shots, experimenting with and without a polariser. Composing the scene took some time, as I worked to separate the tree trunks. With the low light, I used a wide aperture and due to depth, left the furthest tree slightly out of focus. If I’d waited a few more minutes, sunlight might have added a warm glow, but this is definitely a spot I’d like to return to in future.

Wadhurst Lane, Battle, High Weald

October brought me on a final scouting mission through East Sussex, where I discovered Wadhurst Lane near Battle, a hidden gem in the heart of the High Weald. Studying OS maps for local footpaths, I came across this stretch of woodland that seemed to promise something special. As soon as I arrived, I knew I’d stepped into one of those rare, untouched pieces of history: an ancient holloway — a sunken lane carved into the landscape by centuries of travelers, livestock, and perhaps even medieval carts.

What is a Holloway?

Holloways like Wadhurst Lane are natural tunnels or sunken paths created over hundreds of years by continuous use. The dense tree cover, steep banks, and winding paths make these ancient routes feel almost enchanted, a little like stepping back in time. Holloways are found throughout the High Weald AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), where the landscape’s unique clay soils and undisturbed history have preserved them. Wadhurst Lane is particularly photogenic in autumn, when fallen leaves line the path, moss covers the banks, and the filtered light under the tree canopy creates a soft, timeless glow.

Exploring Wadhurst Lane with a Camera in Hand

For this outing, I left my tripod behind, preferring to move freely as I scouted the best compositions. With modern cameras’ high ISO capabilities, combined with in-body stabilization and noise reduction, handholding was no issue, even in the lower light under the tree canopy. However, if you’re planning a dedicated photo session, a tripod can be invaluable for achieving sharp images at smaller apertures (f/11 or f/16), which are ideal for capturing the rich detail in the trees, trunks, and textured banks.

Scouting and Returning

When exploring new areas, I often take the first trip as a scouting mission, allowing me to focus on finding compositions without worrying too much about the technicalities. If I stumble on a spot with potential, like Wadhurst Lane, I know I can return under different conditions for variety. A holloway like this would look amazing in fog, which would add mystery and depth, or after a light rain, when wet leaves and bark catch the light. Different conditions can bring out entirely new moods in the same scene.

The Value of a Tripod

For those looking to capture high-quality images in woodland settings, a tripod can be particularly useful. Woodland environments often require a small aperture to capture the scene’s depth, which can lead to long shutter speeds, especially in the dim light of a tree canopy. With little to no wind on the day I visited, it would have been a perfect time for tripod work, allowing for a more detailed capture of the trunks, leaves, and layers of texture. However, a modern camera’s image stabilization, coupled with high ISO capabilities and denoise in post-processing, made handheld shooting perfectly feasible for my scouting mission.

October Landscape Photography Review: A Month of Exploration, Learning, and Autumn Magic

October has been a month of freedom and discovery, with no work commitments tying me down. After wrapping up in Thailand in early October, I was eager to return to the autumn scenes of England, even though a lingering cold kept me indoors for a week or so.

My adventures began with a sunrise at Butts Brow on the South Downs, and continued with woodland explorations across the High Weald, from Brightling’s quiet paths to Wadhurst Lane’s enchanting holloway. Each outing offered its own lesson in patience, composition, and adapting to the unpredictable October light.

Highlights included witnessing the October Hunter’s Moon rise over Eastbourne Pier, capturing seals basking by Beachy Head, and a misty morning sunrise over Alfriston that I almost skipped. I experimented more with handheld shooting, relying on high ISO and image stabilization, and invested in a Peak Design sling bag to make these spontaneous outings easier. I also learned a few lessons in timing and positioning, realizing the importance of scouting locations and being prepared to adapt when conditions shift unexpectedly.

While I didn’t quite capture that elusive “perfect shot,” the freedom to explore and reconnect with nature has been its own reward. October’s landscapes have taught me to appreciate the journey, reminding me that there’s always more to learn and capture. I can’t wait to see what November brings!