Hello all!
My apologies for being absent in sharing a new blog, so it’s time to catch up, don’t you think? 😉
The photographs shared here were composed as a participant in a workshop sponsored by “Backcountry Journeys” in the beautiful state of Vermont in October, 2025.
It was my first trip with that company, and it certainly will not be the last!
I drove up from the Hudson Valley, NY as I wanted to get a feel for how they rolled before booking another trip further away. Needless to say, I was quite impressed and totally satisfied with the experience. Vermont was such a potpourri of wonderful landscapes, and the people there were so warm and welcoming! Oh yea, the food was absolutely delicious. Vermont in Autumn is something I hope you’ll get the opportunity to experience.
The workshop was held from Monday to Friday, and each day was jammed packed with photo ops that spanned from Dawn to Dusk.
After arriving at Burlington the day before to check in, attend a welcoming meeting and then a nice dinner, the group headed out dark and early to our first destination in Eden to photograph a sunrise at Belvidere Pond.
At first, there was not much happening weather wise, but as dawn gave way to sunrise, the action began to take hold! The mist/fog started to roll in, covering the autumn foliage in a soft saturated embrace, creating a dreamlike landscape begging to be photographed and shared. As the early morning progressed, the shifting mist created a variety of different perspectives, all of which I gladly accepted and captured that beautiful morning.
“Belvidere Pond Prima Vista”
After that, we headed to Morrisville to composed some images of the Historic Red Bridge.
“Luminoso Crossing”
And finally, before checking in at our hotel in St. Johnsbury, we made a brief stop to Moss Glen Falls.
After dinner, we made our way to Owl’s Head Summit in Groton Forest to create some sunset photographs. A most productive start to the week long workshop.
“Owl’s Head Summit Serenade”
Day Two:
The second day of the Backcountry Journeys Vermont Colors Workshop found me /us at the picturesque Noyes Pond in Groton Forest, VT.
Note: None of us were sold that these were ponds, per se, more like lakes where we all came from. But, I digress! 😉
Upon our arrival at dawn, we were greeted with a full moon as it was just about to say goodbye over the mountain range in the background. As it did so, it created a streak of reflected light on the “pond’s” surface, which also serve as a wonderful leading line.
The beautiful pastel colors of the blue hour surrounded Bella Luna and gently lit up the October foliage of Vermont.
“Vermont Melody For Bella Luna”
Needless to say, day two got off to a lovely start, and only got better as the day progressed, not only here, but the other stops along the way……
After a most productive morning photography session at Noyes Pond, and a delightfully filling breakfast, our next stop was at the picturesque Mountain View Farm on Darling Hill Road in East Burke, VT.
As I have stated before on many an occasion, shooting during the late morning/early afternoon is not the most ideal situation to shoot in, light wise.
But, since we were on “tour”, you make due with with what is presented and to enjoy yourself and the process. And, as I have shared before, autumn does give you some flexibility due to the vibrant colors only found in that season.
With this capture, I incorporated the picket fence as a leading line drawing one’s eyes to the vibrant foliage and the mountain range in the background.
A quintessential Vermont landscape, if I do say so my self! 😉
“Autumn Guidetones Of Vermont”
Sunset was a bust as it was rainy, but I did manage to wander off to shot some ICM images (not shared here).
Day Three:
On the third full day in Vermont, the Backcountry Journey gang checked into our next hotel in Rutland. After another wonderful meal, we found ourselves in the pristine landscape at Leffert’s Pond in Chittenden, VT.
We were greeted with gorgeous golden hour light, no breeze to speak of and just the right amount of fair weather clouds.
All of these elements came together to produce photographer’s gold!
Great reflections on the pond’s surface, no “blow outs” in the highlights, and on-point clarity in the beautiful autumn foliage.
This composition was the first one I composed, utilizing the flowing grasses in the foreground by positioning myself/ tripod as close to ground as my old bones would allow. 😉
The reflections were incredible, the color was at peak and I could not wait to continue to explore the other sections of this beautiful landscape as the day approached sunset.
“Leffert’s Pond Circular Breathing”
Needless to write, I came away with a bundle of keepers that I will happily share in the days and weeks (perhaps months) ahead!
Day Four:
After photographing Leffert’s Pond the day before for the PM Golden Hour to sunset collection of images, we returned the following day to capture the soft beautiful light of a Vermont morning.
I chose to use my Variable Neutral Density filter (which I constantly forget about using) to accomplish a long exposure of this detail cascade.
Also, it aided me in producing even more vibrant color (if possible) of the foliage along the shoreline and the mountains in the background.
It was a crisp October morning, but not to the point of discomfort, but more like invigorating and inspiring, as I/we made our way around that gorgeous landscape to photograph in a completely different light palette.
“Sunrise Aria For A Cascade”
We eventually made our way to Woodstock to photograph the historic Woodstock Covered Bridge the Quechee Gorge, another covered bridge in Taftsville, a very impressive waterfall in Killington named “Thundering Brook Falls before heading back to our hotel, and once again, a great meal.
“Theme For Thundering Brook Falls”
After dinner, we made our way to Kent Pond for sunset.
Day Five:
Another early rise to be on the road by five to head back to Kent Pond for sunrise.
Upon our pre-sunrise arrival, we were welcome by an ample amount of early morning mist, which cast an ethereal and surreal vibe to the Vermont landscape.
We couldn’t wait to get out of the van, set up, and begin photographing!
As the Blue Hour began to yield to sunrise, the color of the foliage on the far shore began to light up in a soft misty embrace. We like to call this type of environment; “Photographer’s Gold”!
“Kent Pond’s Misty Morning Musings”
What a way to start that day’s session, as well as wrapping up the week long workshop.
To wrap this up, it was a great experience, and as I started off this blog, I can’t wait for my next excursion with Backcountry Journeys.