Photographing Christmas lights at night
Dec 5, 2015 14:49:24 #
Don't forget your tripod and a zoom lens....and have fun with it :)
Dec 5, 2015 16:06:41 #
gvarner wrote:
Looking for advise. It's so easy to get the lights overexposed. Need advise on settings to start from, maybe some example pics. Is dusk better than after dark? A big problem is wind outdoors, can't see a solution to that other than no breezes. My biggest problem is glare from the lights, reduces apparent sharpness. Your thoughts and examples would be appreciated. Thanks.
My MO is: f/10 and allow the camera to decide the rest at ISO-100. Tripod of course because the shutter will be open for several seconds. f/10 is a kind of sweet spot and should produce excellent shots.
Oh, as use your camera's 10-second self timer to avoid camera movement when you release the shutter.
Dec 5, 2015 16:48:31 #
Last season we were visiting Busch Garden's Christmas Town in Williamsburg, VA and I was hacking around (newbie) and captured this interesting shot, which on the histogram is buried to the left (still). When I opened it in iPhoto and worked the exposure slider I could not believe what was captured. Nikon D7100 lens 18-140MM f3.5-5.6, shot at ISO100, f4.5, 1/3 second using a monopod wrapped my leg around it and pulled tight to keep it steady.
gvarner wrote:
Looking for advise. It's so easy to get the lights overexposed. Need advise on settings to start from, maybe some example pics. Is dusk better than after dark? A big problem is wind outdoors, can't see a solution to that other than no breezes. My biggest problem is glare from the lights, reduces apparent sharpness. Your thoughts and examples would be appreciated. Thanks.
Dec 5, 2015 21:39:40 #
Many of the displays I have seen have blinking lights in all kinds of imaginable patterns. So short vs long shutter speeds becomes a matter of taste. Some displays have more or less depth. So large vs small apertures brings in more gotcha. It boils down to taking shots at various settings and keeping the best ones. Would the camera's light meter be a good guide.
Dec 5, 2015 22:16:17 #
gvarner wrote:
Looking for advise. It's so easy to get the lights overexposed. Need advise on settings to start from, maybe some example pics. Is dusk better than after dark? A big problem is wind outdoors, can't see a solution to that other than no breezes. My biggest problem is glare from the lights, reduces apparent sharpness. Your thoughts and examples would be appreciated. Thanks.
Shot tonight f3.2 1/80th sec. AUTO ISO-3200 Metrix meter -.07EV
Dec 6, 2015 08:13:50 #
Bloke wrote:
Actually it's Venus, but it was perfectly placed back in 2013 to stand in for the star...
Beautiful shot.
Dec 8, 2015 20:04:51 #
carl hervol
Loc: jacksonville florida
the best way is to use film i still have lots of kodacrome that i still use for christmas light.and fire works film just does a better job I have film that's 20 years and it's still good.
Dec 8, 2015 22:58:10 #
carl hervol wrote:
the best way is to use film i still have lots of kodacrome that i still use for christmas light.and fire works film just does a better job I have film that's 20 years and it's still good.
Where do you get the Kodachrome developed?
Dec 9, 2015 01:53:53 #
carl hervol
Loc: jacksonville florida
Film rescue international 1-800-329-8988 bryan st athen Ga 30601
Dec 9, 2015 13:50:49 #
carl hervol wrote:
Film rescue international 1-800-329-8988 bryan st athen Ga 30601
Thanks
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