Camera settings for outdoor Christmas decorations: I took some pictures last night in the auto mode on my Nikon D5300 camera. Did not like the results. Need advice on what settings...

Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum

Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register ☰

Camera settings for outdoor Christmas decorations.

Page 1 of 2 next>

Dec 19, 2020 09:23:01 #

ChiefEW

I took some pictures last night in the auto mode on my Nikon D5300 camera. Did not like the results. Need advice on what settings would be the best. Thank you.

Dec 19, 2020 09:36:09 #

Runninglate Loc: Saint Cloud, Florida

I am sure there will be others with way better advice. But, I have found if I stay on manual mode I can get a better control of the picture.

Dec 19, 2020 09:38:42 #

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

I found that taking them with a little remaining daylight works better than in pure darkness. Just enough twilight to define the objects as well as show the lighting

Dec 19, 2020 09:58:14 #

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

sodapop has a point. For me, the most important thing is what I meter on. I do a spot meter on a bright group of lights and bracket from there.

Dec 19, 2020 09:58:16 #

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Not knowing exactly under what conditions you took them and didn't like them,
Experiment.
Every display is different. It also depends on how you want it to look. House details discernible?
Then you'll find out how your camera handles them and what you need to do to get the shots the way you want them to look.
(The results will also depend on your selected metering method.)

Dec 19, 2020 09:58:24 #

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Tripod.
Aperture mode.
ISO 400.
F5.6 or F8
Some say center weighted metering but basically meter on the "brights"
Incandescent WB.
The more wind you have, the blurrier the results will be.
Shoot with some light in the sky for more pleasing results.

Dec 19, 2020 10:39:38 #

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The best way to suggest specific actions to improve are to see some examples your disappointments. Create a reply and attach and store a few examples.

Dec 20, 2020 06:01:52 #

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

ChiefEW wrote:

I took some pictures last night in the auto mode on my Nikon D5300 camera. Did not like the results. Need advice on what settings would be the best. Thank you.

Here is a very short tutorial, you may want to look it over.
https://www.slrphotographyguide.com/christmas-light-photography/

Dec 20, 2020 07:06:27 #

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

ChiefEW wrote:

I took some pictures last night in the auto mode on my Nikon D5300 camera. Did not like the results. Need advice on what settings would be the best. Thank you.

Tripod, ISO 100, f8, self timer, play with =/- compensation until you are happy.

Dec 20, 2020 08:20:08 #

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

ChiefEW wrote:

I took some pictures last night in the auto mode on my Nikon D5300 camera. Did not like the results. Need advice on what settings would be the best. Thank you.

More than you ever wanted or need to know about Camera settings for outdoor Christmas decorations.
https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/learn/education/topics/article/2018/december/photographing-holiday-lights/photographing-holiday-lights?utm_source=promotional&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20201219_HOLIDAY20_PHOTOGRAPHING_LIGHTS&riid=588267545

Have a Merry Christmas
And a Safe and Healthy New Year!
Smile, (With Your Mask On!)
JimmyT Sends

Dec 20, 2020 09:09:49 #

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I thought you'd never ask.

http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/christmas-light-photography-tips/
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/how-to-photograph-christmas-lights/
http://www.diyphotography.net/photograph-led-christmas-lights/
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/christmas-light-photography-tips/
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.picturecorrect.com/tips/how-to-photograph-christmas-lights/

Dec 20, 2020 10:17:24 #

photoman43

gvarner wrote:

In addition to the above, use exposure compensation to bracket your exposures. I would use full stops, like +1, etc. my guess is that nailing the correct exposure is the biggest issue after image sharpness.

Dec 20, 2020 10:29:34 #

Carl1024 Loc: Kaneohe, HI 96744

If you shot it in AUTO mode, the flash pops up. You don't want that 2 happen.Try MANUEL & blub w/ISO in 800? nothing higher.
.................................................message ends......................................................

Dec 20, 2020 12:20:19 #

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Get in a corner get professional Set it on "P". Look at the picture and the "P" choice of setting then you have some starting points. And work from them.
This to me is part of a learning curve.

Dec 20, 2020 13:53:25 #

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

ChiefEW wrote:

I took some pictures last night in the auto mode on my Nikon D5300 camera. Did not like the results. Need advice on what settings would be the best. Thank you.

Best time to shoot lights is right after sundown. Use what light you have. If you wait until very dark sets in you will lose detail. Settings??? Use the settings required to make a properly exposed image. An apeture of f/4 to f/8 will work fine, unless something might require greater opening. You will be able to decide by using tour histogram. For your shutter speed you might remember your subject is light. Adjust accordingly. ISO is a given 100. Hope this helps. Post some results to share .

Page 1 of 2 next>

If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.

Main Photography Discussion

Home | Latest Digest | Back to Top | All Sections

UglyHedgehog.com - Forum