Autumn's Carpet
Oxford, Mississippi
Captured on
Aperture
f / 6.3
Shutter Speed
1/200 second
ISO
640
Focal Length
55mm
Lens Used
Edited with
Luminar Neo
Location
Oxford, Mississippi
The Story
Behind the Shot
This evocative image captures the essence of late autumn in an urban setting, where nature's cycle meets the constructed world. The photograph focuses on a thick blanket of fallen leaves in the foreground, creating a rich tapestry of browns, golds, and russets that speaks to the changing seasons.
The leaves, scattered in a seemingly random yet perfectly natural arrangement, dominate the foreground. Their crisp, dry forms tell the story of trees preparing for winter, shedding their summer garments in a final blaze of color before the cold sets in. The texture of the leaves is almost palpable, inviting viewers to imagine the satisfying crunch underfoot.
Beyond the leafy carpet, we catch glimpses of an urban landscape. A covered walkway or porch, its dark green supports creating a strong vertical element, contrasts with the organic shapes of the leaves. This structure hints at the human presence in this scene, a reminder of how we build our lives alongside the rhythms of nature.
In the background, slightly out of focus, we can make out brick buildings and bare trees, further emphasizing the late autumn or early winter setting. A red stop sign is visible, adding a pop of color and a touch of the everyday to this transitional scene.
The shallow depth of field employed in this shot draws our attention firmly to the leaves in the foreground, making them the undisputed stars of the image. This technique also creates a sense of intimacy, as if we're crouched down, examining the minute details of each fallen leaf.