Any tips on xmas tree shots?

[techgeek419]

I took about 12 shots of a Christmas tree with lights on it.

First with the flash,the tree lights didnt show up at all.
Without the flash it was dark, so I'm thinking I have to open up the shutter???

I tried the "fireworks" mode on the camera, and that just made burry pics.

Any suggestions for settings in this scene?

ISO, Aperture, White Balance, Shutter speed??

[Norm in Fujino]

techgeek419 wrote:

I took about 12 shots of a Christmas tree with lights on it.
First with the flash,the tree lights didnt show up at all.
Without the flash it was dark, so I'm thinking I have to open up the shutter???
I tried the "fireworks" mode on the camera, and that just made burry pics.
Any suggestions for settings in this scene?
ISO, Aperture, White Balance, Shutter speed??

What kind of camera? I would think the fireworks setting would work, so long as you were on a tripod--you were, weren't you? Personally, I'd try starting from this:

Turn off most/all of the lights in the room (night), so the tree lights are providing most/all of the illumination.

ISO 100
White balance: 3000K (for a start, anyway). If you want a warmer look, try 4000 or even daylight (5300)

Shutter speed/aperture: Start at something like f8 and 2 seconds and go from there. If it's too bright, close the aperture. If too dark, increase the time. Experiment. And of course, use a tripod. If your camera is a dSLR, lock up the mirror and use either a cable release or remote control to avoid any camera shake.

[E.T]

Yep, go for tripod, then automatic should handle it if you just select mode which doesn't use high ISO&noise with shorter shutter speed.
Adjusting exposure might be easier to do with exposure compensation than using manual exposure.

And pressing shutter can equally cause shake so if camera has something like two second timer use it.

[techgeek419]

Norm in Fujino wrote:

What kind of camera? I would think the fireworks setting would work, so long as you were on a tripod--you were, weren't you? Personally, I'd try starting from this:

ISO 100
White balance: 3000K (for a start, anyway). If you want a warmer look, try 4000 or even daylight (5300)

Shutter speed/aperture: Start at something like f8 and 2 seconds and go from there. If it's too bright, close the aperture. If too dark, increase the time. Experiment. And of course, use a tripod.

thanks for the tips

one thing thats alittle confusing:
isn't it true the aperture of f8 is very small, while 2.8 is open?

my cam is a kodak p850, which has settings of:
f/2.8– f/8.0 (wide), f/3.7–f/8.0 (tele), 10 position aperture f/2.8–f/8.0 in 1/3 EV step

so if f8 is max, there is no way to close it more?

also what is 3000k?
is that shutter speed you are referring to?

thanks

[[email protected]]

You could try "night" option on your camera.

Make sure the flash is supressed.

-- Terry

[Brian Randall]

techgeek419 wrote:

I took about 12 shots of a Christmas tree with lights on it.

First with the flash,the tree lights didnt show up at all.
Without the flash it was dark, so I'm thinking I have to open up the shutter???

I tried the "fireworks" mode on the camera, and that just made burry pics.

Any suggestions for settings in this scene?

ISO, Aperture, White Balance, Shutter speed??

I always have good success with a tripod, the flash turned off, ISO 50 or 100, and then set the shutter speed at 1 sec. or slower. Another good tip is to use the timer button so you don't get camera shake.

The beauty of digital is trial and error, so you can play with the shutter speed until you get it right.

Now, one other very cool technique that I have learned with Christmas photos and especially with lights is to add sparkle (flare brush) effects during post processing in Photoshop. Use the eyedropper tool to select the color of the light and then add a sparkle brush right on TOP of the lights. Very cool effect!

Try it and post a photo for us to see when you are done. Or post a photo and I will be happy to add some sparkle effects in PS if you would like.

Brian

[techgeek419]

thanks for the info

will work on more pics using the tips

in the meantime, here is another similar thread someone else posted:

http://www.stevesforums.com/forums/v...mp;forum_id=18

[jonjon98765]

If there's a slow flash setting, try that. It would let the flash oerate and the shutter stay open to "burn in" the lights.

If that's not an option, simply see if a slow shutter speed [1/4 sec] is possible in addition to the flash.

I have also done this without the flash by turning on room lights. If you shoot for the lighted room, the tree lights are so much more intense, they should show up that way.

[scoob8000]

I'm having the same issue..

Slightly different though. Our tree is in front of a picture window, and I would like to capture the snow outside as well.. Problem is the light from the window is throwing things off..

See example picture..

This is about best as I can get it, but everything in the foreground is too bright. I've poked around with the different light metering but I'm just stabbing in the dark.

I realize a polarizer will help with the glare in the window, and I'm waiting on one I just ordered..

Camera is a Kodk P850

TRIPOD - Slik Able 300DX

Fuji s7000 @ 8mm (wide) with cable release

1/2 sec - f2.8 - iso 200