Christmas lights can be photograped effectively with point-and-shoot and SLR cameras.
Try documenting your holiday with photographs that explore more than just the family opening presents on Christmas morning. With the plethora of Christmas lights both indoors and out, there are an endless number of available subjects that can be captured in traditional and unconventional shots using either digital point-and-shoot or single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras.
Following Basic Rules
Follow the basic rules of composition to create a successful photo of Christmas lights.
No matter what your photo subject is--Christmas lights, the Grand Canyon or a bald eagle, the basic rules of photography remain the same. Keep your photo as simple and as uncluttered as possible. If you see an unnecessary branch that adds nothing to the overall picture, move your position until the offending object is gone. Look at your subject from different angles to find the best perspective for showcasing the Christmas lights. Compose your picture with the focal point off-center. And, finally, make sure to move in close to your subject and fill the frame.
Indoor Exposure
Getting a good exposure when shooting Christmas lights can be tricky.
Setting the exposure for indoor Christmas lights can be tricky. Because the lights are bright, your camera's meter will want to underexposure the shot. By underexposing the shot, other objects in the photo may appear too dark. If you meter on the Christmas tree for an exposure, then the lights will end up being overexposed, resulting in blown-out highlights. Neither scenario is desirable. Kerry Drager of betterphoto.com suggests metering on the Christmas lights and using your flash to better expose the darker objects. If the flash is too powerful and you have the capability, dial back its intensity.
Outdoor Exposure
Shooting Christmas lights just before nightfall can help you with the exposure.
Shooting outdoor Christmas lights can also be a challenge; you again have a situation with brightly lit sections and dark, or even black, areas. The website Strobist recommends trying to shoot your photos around twilight or just before nightfall. They suggest getting to the site of the photo shoot early so your camera equipment will be ready when the sky color is dark enough to showcase the lights. A tripod might be necessary to hold your camera steady when shooting in dimly-lit conditions.
Special Effects
Zooming out while photographing Christmas lights can create a unique abstract.
Two very simple techniques are available for turning Christmas lights into abstract compositions. The first involves using a shutter speed of 1/30 of a second or less. Once you've focused on your subject, depress the shutter button and move the camera around as the picture is taken. You can experiment with using a variety of shutter speeds. The second technique requires a zoom lens and a tripod. Attach your camera to the tripod, again use a slow shutter speed and focus on your subject. Once you've depressed the shutter button, zoom in or out with your lens until the picture is taken. The colors will look best if you select a tungsten white balance.
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