Christmas Lights

I've been trying the last few nights to really capture a realistic look without washing things out or goin overboard in pp.

I think I finally found a look that works for me, thoughts?

#1 is the best in my book: nice colours and just enough light and dark.
#2 is much lighter one side than the other. You might put a spotlight at the dark - further - end of the house.
#3 needs to be cropped a bit closer. Too much dark space all around and there seems to be a tree in the way that would not be in the way if it had its own light.

Yeah I wanted the spotlights out but it's my Mothers place and they told me I'd have to unscrew em, me being a tad bit lazy said ahh thats ok Mom lol.

The thing I've been trying to figure out though is like even shooting Christmas lights at my girlfriends, my house, I just haven't found something that I can go to everytime settings wise. Can anyone give me any pointers for this kind of photography, I have no experience shooting in low light.

AltgnJoey wrote in post #13466362
...... Can anyone give me any pointers for this kind of photography, I have no experience shooting in low light.

Get yourself a tripod and a remote shutter release (wired or wireless). Set the camera on manual, ISO at 100 and aperture in the upper ranges F15 - F22 (Yes, OK experts: too narrow may cause diffraction but I have not noticed it yet... )

This will give you a shuttertime in seconds rather than 1/60 or what you are normally shooting. So there should not be too much wind (swinging lights, moving trees). Try with different shuttertimes and see what looks best.
Don't be afraid to take ten, twenty or more shots and look through them later to pick the best. You might even try "bracketing" and combine shots with different exposure in Photoshop (or some other HDR program) later.
Have fun.

I like #1 best

With Christmas lights,you need to find that balance. In #1,you've correctly did just that. #2 Too much light. #3 Too much dark.

Here is something I found very helpful:

http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com …aph-christmas-lights.html

I think you got some wonderful shots there, well done. I particularly like number 1. Lovely warm and welcoming colours and tones.

Celtic Tiger wrote in post #13470817
Here is something I found very helpful:

http://strobist.blogsp​ot.com …aph-christmas-lights.html

Thanks that was actually a good read and informative.

Thanks to everyone else who likes em, yah number 1 came out amazing. Hopefully we can get a snow here before the holiday season ends, would like to shoot the mix of the lights with the snow.

I like #1 and want to take a pic of my house.. would you mind sharing your settings for this.. yes just so i can get an idea on what to start with.... appreciate it...

i checked the link above.. and i want to grab a NIGHT pic.. as you have done..

i love #1 too!

I like #1 as well, but I think you are close to something even better on #3 AltgnJoey. Maybe a little more crop and kill those spot lights. I love the glowing effect you are starting to achieve. I think if you can maximize it from the colored lights it would be very special.

I really like how the light plays on the overhanging tree limbs, though I guess that may have more to do with skylights from house bleeding that the Christmas lights? Either way, for me this photo is stronger if you emphasize that it is a log house in the woods.

Crop some off the bottom of the 3rd and it might draw more focus to the dramatic trees

I love #1 as well.. what were your settings? I want to try this with pics of my house. Thanks