Christmas lights after dark
Nov 20, 2015 08:31:59 #
bingonut
Loc: Cape Cod
I will be going to a Shrine which does not turn on Christmas Lights until after dark, around 5:00.
The lights are all different colors.
I normally shoot in Aperture Priority Setting.
I will be using a Tameron 18-270 Lens.
What would be the best settings to use to get good pictures of the lights.
The lights are all different colors.
I normally shoot in Aperture Priority Setting.
I will be using a Tameron 18-270 Lens.
What would be the best settings to use to get good pictures of the lights.
Nov 20, 2015 08:49:46 #
I think the biggest challenge will be the camera trying to over-expose, especially if you have shots with a lot of dark space in them. So you will need to override that with exposure compensation, or go with manual exposure. Otherwise, you will have washed-out lights.
Are you going to be allowed to use a tripod? If not, that will require higher shutter speed, which means higher ISO.
Your aperture setting will depend on how much you want in focus of each composition, and the depth of field is also determined by distance to subject and your focal length.
Too many variables for specific advice. I recommend you plan on being there a long time and taking many shots with varying settings for each of your compositions. Check the results often!
Are you going to be allowed to use a tripod? If not, that will require higher shutter speed, which means higher ISO.
Your aperture setting will depend on how much you want in focus of each composition, and the depth of field is also determined by distance to subject and your focal length.
Too many variables for specific advice. I recommend you plan on being there a long time and taking many shots with varying settings for each of your compositions. Check the results often!
Nov 20, 2015 08:54:00 #
Nov 20, 2015 08:56:13 #
Here's another thought - simpler :)
Set your aperture what you are familiar with already regarding dof preferences, assuming no tripod set your shutter speed for fast enough that you won't blur (say, 1/200 sec). Now set the ISO to 200 and shoot. Too dark? Set to 320. Still too dark? Set to 400 etc. Again, this all depends on how well lit a particular scene is.
Set your aperture what you are familiar with already regarding dof preferences, assuming no tripod set your shutter speed for fast enough that you won't blur (say, 1/200 sec). Now set the ISO to 200 and shoot. Too dark? Set to 320. Still too dark? Set to 400 etc. Again, this all depends on how well lit a particular scene is.
Nov 20, 2015 08:56:56 #
Very slow shutter speed. A tripod is a must .... or you need to prop your camera against a stable object (sometimes shooting from a cartop works). You may want to consider manual focus so the lights are sharply focused.
Nov 20, 2015 09:01:32 #
One last note: you may want to sacrifice depth of field for lower ISO, if your camera doesn't do well in low light (noise).
This is one of the tricky lighting situations where it really pays off to have a good understanding of both your camera's capabilities and how exposure works.
Again, the most likely outcome if one were to shoot in automatic, or allow the camera to set one or two of the variables, is that your images will look washed out (over-exposed) and/or blurry (slow shutter speed when hand-holding).
This is one of the tricky lighting situations where it really pays off to have a good understanding of both your camera's capabilities and how exposure works.
Again, the most likely outcome if one were to shoot in automatic, or allow the camera to set one or two of the variables, is that your images will look washed out (over-exposed) and/or blurry (slow shutter speed when hand-holding).
Nov 20, 2015 09:04:50 #
Nov 20, 2015 09:11:05 #
A last, last note and then I'm gone :) While a slow shutter speed and tripod are preferable in order to keep ISO lower (noise) and focus sharp, it will not be your friend if this is outdoors and there is any wind.
Nov 20, 2015 09:30:31 #
bingonut wrote:
I will be going to a Shrine which does not turn on Christmas Lights until after dark, around 5:00.
The lights are all different colors.
I normally shoot in Aperture Priority Setting.
I will be using a Tameron 18-270 Lens.
What would be the best settings to use to get good pictures of the lights.
The lights are all different colors.
I normally shoot in Aperture Priority Setting.
I will be using a Tameron 18-270 Lens.
What would be the best settings to use to get good pictures of the lights.
Take a shot, look at it and adjust from there. Its digital!
Nov 21, 2015 06:21:06 #
I think it would be best to shoot in Manual.
A tripod is a must. Don't use zoom. It's better to crop. Use Manual Focus for sharpness. Start with ISO 200 and don't go over 800. f-stops of 2.8 - 5.6 yield the best results. Set WB to tungsten or daylight to avoid unwanted tints or halos. Use Exposure Compensation ( EV + or - ) to correct too much darkness or lightness. These instructions are from an old tutorial and have worked for me very well. If you have an AUTO >Scene > Night Scene setting try that too. Nothing wrong with using Auto setting if they get the results you want. Check each photo and adjust settings as needed. Good luck. Hope you post some results.
A tripod is a must. Don't use zoom. It's better to crop. Use Manual Focus for sharpness. Start with ISO 200 and don't go over 800. f-stops of 2.8 - 5.6 yield the best results. Set WB to tungsten or daylight to avoid unwanted tints or halos. Use Exposure Compensation ( EV + or - ) to correct too much darkness or lightness. These instructions are from an old tutorial and have worked for me very well. If you have an AUTO >Scene > Night Scene setting try that too. Nothing wrong with using Auto setting if they get the results you want. Check each photo and adjust settings as needed. Good luck. Hope you post some results.
Nov 21, 2015 06:42:17 #
bingonut
Loc: Cape Cod
Thanks for the advice.
A tripod would be hard to use as it will be very crowded with lots of people walking around.
A tripod would be hard to use as it will be very crowded with lots of people walking around.
Nov 21, 2015 06:51:36 #
bingonut wrote:
I will be going to a Shrine which does not turn on Christmas Lights until after dark, around 5:00.
The lights are all different colors.
I normally shoot in Aperture Priority Setting.
I will be using a Tameron 18-270 Lens.
What would be the best settings to use to get good pictures of the lights.
The lights are all different colors.
I normally shoot in Aperture Priority Setting.
I will be using a Tameron 18-270 Lens.
What would be the best settings to use to get good pictures of the lights.
Linda has given you some very good advice.I shoot the grand allumination here in Richmond every year since 2007 and it is never the same.there will be a period of trial and error until you get the results you are looking for. Good luck and enjoy. :thumbup:
Nov 21, 2015 06:53:17 #
bingonut wrote:
Thanks for the advice.
A tripod would be hard to use as it will be very crowded with lots of people walking around.
A tripod would be hard to use as it will be very crowded with lots of people walking around.
Then brace your arms on your sides and be sure you have anti-shake mode on. If you are with someone use their shoulder to steady your camera.
Nov 21, 2015 07:14:32 #
bingonut wrote:
I will be going to a Shrine which does not turn on Christmas Lights until after dark, around 5:00.
The lights are all different colors.
I normally shoot in Aperture Priority Setting.
I will be using a Tameron 18-270 Lens.
What would be the best settings to use to get good pictures of the lights.
The lights are all different colors.
I normally shoot in Aperture Priority Setting.
I will be using a Tameron 18-270 Lens.
What would be the best settings to use to get good pictures of the lights.
Have fun.
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/how-to-take-better-photos-of-christmas-lights
http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/12/how-to-photograph-christmas-lights.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Photograph-Christmas-Lights
http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2013/12/13/how-to-photograph-christmas-lights-the-best-camera-settings-to-use-free-cheat-sheet/
Nov 21, 2015 07:33:18 #
bingonut wrote:
I will be going to a Shrine which does not turn on Christmas Lights until after dark, around 5:00.
The lights are all different colors.
I normally shoot in Aperture Priority Setting.
I will be using a Tameron 18-270 Lens.
What would be the best settings to use to get good pictures of the lights.
The lights are all different colors.
I normally shoot in Aperture Priority Setting.
I will be using a Tameron 18-270 Lens.
What would be the best settings to use to get good pictures of the lights.
Generally, in these situations, I put the camera on a tripod and use an electronic remote release and timed exposures. I will start at ISO 100, f/16 and manual settings and shoot a best guess shot.. possibly 10 seconds (mentally counting to 10 or so), then I look at the results and adjust my timing up or down until I get what I want. Generally, my shots will be close enough on most equally illuminated displays but I may have to adjust up or down as I move between shots and locations. If you have a good light meter, you will eliminate all of the guessing.
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