babytuth Loc: Dubai UAE

I do this too..and really enjoy the results

and of course, bracketing is always a good way to go as well...excuse if it's already been mentioned

Sadly, will not see Christmas lights in Dubai>>> ahh the delight of a well organized photo library

russelray Loc: La Mesa CA

Glad to see someone else is into Christmas abstracts.

I went out one year with the intent of showing Christmas lights coming down from Heaven, just like the child Jesus (not that I believe in fairy tales....).

tinosa Loc: Grand Rapids Michigan

I knew I couldn't be the only one.
Hope you will post some, they are certainly out-of-the-box.

drobbia Loc: Near Middletown, CA

thanks for tip on the site - will follow - tg

robert-photos Loc: Chicago

To all re: camera movement/rotation....like it.....gonna do it this year....thanks for the tip.....wish I had thought of it myself. :mrgreen:

Nevada Chuck

Short answer: drag the shutter. Try 1/30 @ f/8, ISO 100.

Here's the real answer. I have noticed that people who have been into Photography for a LONG TIME (in my case, fifty-plus years) have trouble re-setting their mindset to one of the greatest assets of digital; unlimited "film" availability. We subconsciously still think that we need to determine exposure beforehand, and that we only get one or two trys.

This asset is simply that we can take a hundred shots if need be to get a good exposure, and if we don't like any of the other 99 shots, delete them!

I would hit the streets at the start of the "golden hour", around ten minutes before sun down, get set up on a tripod, pick a starting point (see opening paragraph above) and start shooting. After each shot, evaluate the exposure and re-shoot. Keep doing this until you get one you like and then delete all the others, keeping only one or two. Now, heres the second part of the secret: wait ten minutes and do all this again. Continue this process for about an hour. This may seem laborious, but you won't have to do it again. you will end up with a dozen or so shots that you like, and you will have determined the times relative to sundown and the exposure settings for future reference. You will also be able to learn which, if any, exposures allow for hand holding vs. tripod.

drobbia Loc: Near Middletown, CA

great job ---- might want to try decaf next time (little photog humor there!)

edg110

I love abstract! I read a book titled Experimental Photography by Rick Doble, who used to teach photography at Duke U. Most of the his photos are abstract. The writer calls it "painting with lights"

drobbia Loc: Near Middletown, CA

IMO, the final image is what matters. Be it by PP, happenstance, well planned lighting, beginners luck, printing excellence(or not),etc. Some of my best work was serendipity. Some pics I waited hours in rainforrests, deserts or oceanside for the photo I wanted. - I'll pick up Mr, Doble's book, Thanks

JerrysPhotos Loc: Arkansas

I shoot them after dark in manual mode. I usually use f16 for the DOF. take a shot and make any needed adjustments with the shutter speed, ofcourse you need to use a tripod also use mirror lock up and cable release if you have it....

Rhino

The reason i answered so vaguely is because you didnt include enough information. How do you want to capture? Tripod, or hand held?, moving lights or stationary? Everything comes into play so the best i could do was sound arrogant (like i did)..

Dunatic

You two aren't the only ones. I love lights or swipes and swirls too. Cheryl

Figure Eight


Pink and Blue Swirls

edg110

Here are some samples of my shots.

Dunatic

I love the spinning one, how did you create that? Very cool. Cheryl

samanthab Loc: Valdese, NC

Sorry-- I deliberately left it wide open. I am new to photography and enjoy the many different point of views and examples I have seen on the forum.

Thanks everyone!!