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Photography Tip #62: Photographing Holiday Light Displays
Greetings and Happy Holidays!
"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" Yes, the Holidays have definitely arrived. A simple drive around the neighborhood will prove it -- Holiday light displays are popping up everywhere! Have you ever tried to photograph one of these magnificent displays? It's trickier than it looks! But you're in luck this year...read on for tips about photographing Holiday light displays!
Outdoor Displays
Shooting at twilight is the most optimum time for outdoor Holiday light displays. The natural light is low but not totally black, so you can still see the building. If you shoot under a completely black sky, only the lights will show up in the photo. Also, be sure to use a tripod.
Many cameras have an auto mode setting for night or low light photography. This is a good place to start -- turn on that setting and take a few pictures. You may get some good ones, but chances are you'll need to switch to manual mode for more control over the shot. In manual mode using a tripod, set the ISO to 200. Turn off the flash and set the aperture to f5.6 or f8. Take a few pictures, adjust the shutter speed, and keep shooting. Keep adjusting the shutter speed until you get the perfect shot.
If your camera allows you to use filters, try a star filter or cross-screen filter.
Indoor Displays For indoor light displays or shots of the tree, slow down the shutter speed to allow ambient light to come into the camera. Always use a tripod. The flash usage depends on the situation; don't use a flash if you are just shooting the tree or the lights, but use the flash if people are in front of the tree.
This year, use these tips to shoot the family portrait outside with the light display in the background, as well as inside, and see which one turns out the best! Have fun -- and Happy Holidays!
Q and A
Thank you so much for all the great questions recently! I am doing my best to answer as many as I can individually. I will also be posting answers to some of the more common questions here over the next few weeks.
One common question over the past few weeks has been, "How do I take good shots of the moon?" Moon shots are usually best when the moon is close to the horizon and there is something else in the shot, like a landmark or a tree. Similar to outdoor Holiday light displays, shooting at twilight is best. Use a tripod, and zoom in as much as you can to flatten the depth of field. It is also helpful if the foreground is kind of dark so the moon is balanced with the existing light. And remember, most great moon shots have been digitally enhanced, so don't be afraid to use photo editing software to boost the appearance of your shot!
Many cameras have an auto mode setting for night or low light photography. This is a good place to start -- turn on that setting and take a few pictures. You may get some good ones, but chances are you'll need to switch to manual mode for more control over the shot. In manual mode using a tripod, set the ISO to 200. Turn off the flash and set the aperture to f5.6 or f8. Take a few pictures, adjust the shutter speed, and keep shooting. Keep adjusting the shutter speed until you get the perfect shot.
For indoor light displays or shots of the tree, slow down the shutter speed to allow ambient light to come into the camera. Always use a tripod. The flash usage depends on the situation; don't use a flash if you are just shooting the tree or the lights, but use the flash if people are in front of the tree.
One common question over the past few weeks has been, "How do I take good shots of the moon?" Moon shots are usually best when the moon is close to the horizon and there is something else in the shot, like a landmark or a tree. Similar to outdoor Holiday light displays, shooting at twilight is best. Use a tripod, and zoom in as much as you can to flatten the depth of field. It is also helpful if the foreground is kind of dark so the moon is balanced with the existing light. And remember, most great moon shots have been digitally enhanced, so don't be afraid to use photo editing software to boost the appearance of your shot!