Why do maple leaves change color from green to yellow and brown in autumn?

In autumn, maple trees stop producing chlorophyll, the green pigment that dominates during summer. As chlorophyll breaks down, yellow and orange pigments (carotenoids) already present in the leaf become visible. Brown spots result from tannins and cellular decay. This process is triggered by shorter days and cooler temperatures, signaling the tree to prepare for winter dormancy.

How can this Photo be used?

With its commercial license, this stock photo suits a wide range of projects. Typical applications include sustainability or environmental campaigns, autumn editorials in magazines, seasonal social media content, or packaging design for natural products. The high resolution of 8640 x 5760 pixels also allows large-format use in outdoor advertising or trade show prints.

What mood does this Photo convey?

The leaf takes center stage, surrounded by a soft, desaturated forest background. The combination of green, yellow, and brown conveys transition, letting go, and the end of a growth phase. The human hand adds a personal touch, connecting nature with human presence without being intrusive.

What equipment was used to capture this Photo?

The fine leaf veins and the color transitions from green through yellow to brown spots are captured in impressive sharpness in this stock photo. It was shot with the Sony ILCE-1 and the FE 85mm F1.4 GM II lens. The full-frame Alpha 1 delivers 50 megapixels at 8640 x 5760 pixels, making large-format prints or heavy cropping easy. The 85mm GM II produces the characteristic bokeh visible in the forest background.

What visual style or trend does this Photo represent?

Nature-based imagery with visible human interaction reflects the growing visual trend toward mindfulness and slow living. Holding a single leaf exemplifies the conscious perception of seasonal change, a theme increasingly in demand in campaigns focused on sustainability and reconnecting with nature.

Autumn maple leaf in hand against forest backdrop

Name: Autumn maple leaf in hand against forest backdrop
Brand: Kataloop
Price: 16 EUR
Availability: InStock

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Autumn maple leaf in hand against forest backdrop

Kataloop stock photo no.

4343689

8640

5760

43692881

SONY ILCE-1

FE 85mm F1.4 GM II

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Autumn maple leaf in hand against forest backdrop

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Why do maple leaves change color from green to yellow and brown in autumn?

How can this photo be used?

What mood does this photo convey?

What equipment was used to capture this photo?

What visual style or trend does this photo represent?

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