Some photographers swear by enhancing filters, while others use graduated density filters to modify the brightness of the sky as compared to land. If you've never used slide film, try Fuji's Velvia on a low humidity blue-sky October day. The autumn sun is lower in the sky than mid-summer. Try shooting during the sweet light just before sunset. Its warm, orange feel can add a lot to any landscape.
Leaves blown through the scene can help tell the story.
We confess that we've even set up shots where leaves were tossed into the air by an assistant outside the frame. This small river had been swollen by two days of rain. The woods were still damp and the late afternoon light was dim. This photo was made with flash on camera and a slow shutter speed. Fall color is the perfect excuse for you and your camera to get out of the house and enjoy the marvelous fall weather before winter sets in.