The burning bushes and oaks around Stellos Stadium in Nashua, provide a colorful backdrop for a soccer game.

There’s no better time of year to be shooting outdoor sports than in the fall. It may get a little chilly covering games in late October and November, but the colors around the fields are so brilliant.

You may need to pack an extra camera battery if the temperatures drop too low, but the photographs will be worth it. I shoot with thin leather gloves sometimes too.

I find it easier to shoot outdoor sports when it’s cloudy. The sun can make things too contrasty, especially in digital cameras. Cloudy skies enable you to photograph the game from any side of the field.

With the sun out, you should keep it behind you, or set your camera to manual mode and be careful with the exposure looking into the sun. Some cameras have a backlight button. That would be a good time to use it. The sun will give you rim light (an outline) around the players, which can be pleasing as well, as long as you set your exposure correctly. You may also need a hood for your lens to keep the sun from reflecting off the glass.

During the breaks in action, take a look around for some fall foliage pictures, and a cup of hot chocolate to thaw out your frozen fingers.

-Bob Hammerstrom

Tags: camera, colors, digital, fall, foliage, how to, leaves, new hampshire, outdoor, Photography, photos, pictures, sports, tips