BetterPhoto Member |
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Taking Digital Photographs of Lit Christmas Tree
I am using an Olympus C-4000 zoom digital camera. I would like to take photos of my christmas tree lit up, but can't seem to get it quite right. Any suggestions? I'm also interested in taking pictures of lights outside at night.Thanks!
December 03, 2003
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Gregg Vieregge |
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You need to allow the ambient light from the light enough time to be recorded. Slow your shutter speed and check the preview.
December 02, 2003
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Jon Close |
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Try the Night Scene shooting mode (star & crescent moon symbol), explained on p. 51 of the camera's Reference manual (free download available from http://www.olympusamerica.com/index.php ), or Aperture priority, or Manual. Be sure to turn the flash off, unless you have people in front of the Christmas tree, in which case you want them lit so set Slow Sync (p. 76).
December 03, 2003
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Jay |
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don't forget that the shutter speed will be to slow to hand hold the camera. A tripod or support is needed.
December 05, 2003
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Mike Hawkins |
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I spent a couple of hours photographing Christmas lights last night with an Olympus C-5050Z. Here is what I learned that may be of use. The only light in the room was the xmas tree.
1) Must have a tripod. The shortest exposure time I used was about 3/4 sec. The longest was 16 sec.
2) Don't forget the white balance! The auto selection. I got the best results using the tungsten (incandescent about 3000K) setting for both colored and clear lights. Other settings were to red or to green.
3) To get that sort of starburst effect from the lights set a long exposure time (> 2 sec).
4) Have fun. Try a macro shot of a reflective xmas ball. Try making it a self portrait.
5) Be patient and practice. I took about 100 shots, kept about 20, and like about 5.
Attached pictures- The tree was taken at a relative fast shutter time 0.77 sec with a wide open apeture f/2. The self portrait (I copying M.C. Escher) was taken at f/8 for 13 sec.
Thanks,
Mike Hawkins
December 06, 2003
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