Night Shot, Need Help...

[taknbyd]

I am wanting to do a photoshoot with my in-laws infront of my house which is all lit up with Christmas lights. Is there any advice on how I can get my subject lit up and have the background (My House With Christmas Lights) in the shot without killing my lights? I have two flashes, two light stands, and a shoot through umbrella. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Benji]

Yes. You will need the following.

1. A wide angle lens. This will allow you to get all of the house behind them in the shot.

2. A tripod. This will allow you to use a shutter speed long enough to permit the Christmas lights to "burn" into the image.

3. Place the subjects reasonably close to the lens so the flash will illuminate them well, but not so close you distort them. They will also need to be well away from the house in order to "shrink" the house behind them.

Benji

[PMCphotography]

Mostly what Benji said- Use a tripod and drag the shutter (use flash to illuminate them, but use a long shutter speed to allow the lights in the background to show.)

[stsva]

Here's some good info. on the recommended technique:
http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/3-dragging-the-shutter/
http://www.planetneil.com/tangents/2008/02/22/how-low-can-you-go/

[SubliM3]

I would use rear curtain flash for something like this. Take the exposure in bulb and when u release the shutter, it will trip the flash.