Of all the seasons, autumn is perhaps the favorite of outdoor photographers.  We become giddy with anticipation the moment we feel the first hint of a chill replacing summer’s warmth.  Entire mountainsides dressed in their finest multi-hued foliage beckon to us.  Desert canyons entice us to hike farther into their depths with brilliant cottonwoods and maples.  Sooner or later, we heed the call and venture into the wilderness with our backpacks overflowing with camera gear.  Some times, when we’ve been really good, Mother Nature rewards us with snowcapped peaks and thunderstorms that create muddy creeks in the canyons.  And then, it’s gone.  Trees stand barren, their gangly limbs soon to be weighed down with ice and snow.  Lakes will freeze and darkness will come early as the frosty grasp of winter descends upon the landscape.

This year I thought I’d share a few great resources to aid in planning your Rockies or Desert Southwest fall photography escapades.  Below you will find e-books, newsletters and websites.  Some are free, some are not.  You’ll find that some of these resources are specific to photographing fall color while others take a generalist approach but they’ve all got pertinent information.  In no way is this an all-inclusive list.  If you know of a great resource, please take the time to leave a comment with a link.  Enjoy!

E-Books

Colorado’s Fall Colors – A Photographer’s Guide by Jason Hatfield

Colorado Fall Photoguide by Miles Hecker

Zion and Bryce Photoguide by Miles Hecker

The Pocket Guide to Photographing Rocky Mountain National Park by Erik Stensland

The Ultimate Guide to Photographing Yellowstone National Park by Dean Sauskojus

Honest to Goodness Books Made Out of Real Paper

Photographer’s Guide to Yellowstone and the Tetons by Joseph Lange

A Guide to Colorado’s Best Photography Locations by Andy Cook

Photographing the Southwest – Southern Utah by Laurent Martres

Newsletters, Websites and Miscellaneous Resources

Photograph America #008 – Colorful Colorado by Robert Hitchman

Photograph America #075 – The Tetons by Robert Hitchman

Photograph America #012 – Zion and Bryce National Parks by Robert Hitchman

Colorado Fall Color Drives at MyColorado.org by Darren Kilgore

A Detailed Guide to Photographing Fall Foliage by Christopher O’Donnell

Got a great resource for photographing fall color in the Rockies or Southwest?  Please leave a comment w/ a link!