Happy Monday, friends! Did you have a great Thanksgiving? Are you cyber shopping, while you should be working? Each year, we head out bright and early the Saturday after Thanksgiving and roam the local Christmas tree farm in search of a tree that we all love.
The kids take turns using the saw with Daddy, while I stand to the side, camera in hand. We walk back to the car, throw the tree on top and then head into the barn for some hot chocolate. We bring our steaming cups back to the car with us, trying not to spill along the way and then we drink it, while my husband ties that tree on.
After we bring the tree in and tighten it into the stand, we joke that trying to get a tree straight is one of the ultimate tests of a marriage. He’s lying on the ground surrounded by pine needles, tightening one screw into the thick trunk, while I stand back and tell him that no, it’s leaning a little to the right. So, he tightens the other side and I stand back again. Sorry love, now it’s a little too far on the left. Finally, he wants to take a look for himself. After a few more adjustments, we decide that Christmas is about more than a perfectly straight tree and we move on to the decorations.
A few years ago, after the tree was decorated, I decided to do a little research on what setting my camera needs to be on to really capture the glow of Christmas lights. If you’re like me and you have a thing for photography or for just one moment, you’d like to turn the dial off “Auto,” this little tip is for you.
To really capture the glow of Christmas lights with your DSLR camera, turn the camera’s dial onto ‘S’. This will adjust the shutter speed. Next, adjust the shutter speed to the lowest setting (mine is 30′). Absolutely keep the flash closed (off), turn off all the lights in the room. Set the camera on any steady surface, like a chair, table or tripod.
Note: your hand is NOT going to be steady enough for this type of shot.
Hold your breath, push the button to take the picture and then take your hands completely off. 30 seconds will go by and then taaaa daaa!!! Your photo will be crystal clear and the Christmas lights will be glowing!
If you use this little tip, come share your photo on our Facebook page. I’d love to see your gorgeous tree!
