Holiday Season

[Michael_2010]

What makes great holiday type captures?

I've already been roaming around firing off the shutter at Christmas lights and store windows decorated to the hilt. I'm pretty happy with the results, considering that it is a new experience for me and all my shots are hand-held with available light. However, now I would like to take it up a notch with that old "compelling subject" thang. lol

If you are pretty much satisfied with the technical end of things (exposure, focus, clarity, etc.), what is that next step? Just what in a holiday picture seems to pull viewers toward it long enough to take a second look?

Any ideas? Any examples?

[RichardTaylor]

Even though the store windows, and Christmas lights are "nice", I think having people in the pics make it a lot more interesting.

Here is an an example (albeit not a great one) taken a couple of weeks ago.


Camera Canon EOS 5D + Canon 24mm F2.8 lens
Exposure 0.04 sec (1/25)
Aperture f/8.0
Focal Length 24 mm
ISO Speed 3200
Exposure Bias -2/3 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire

[Michael_2010]

Hmmmmmmm........ that's true. The lights are beautiful, but nothing says Christmas like the look of amazement on a child's face while staring at the decorations. Not exactly a child, but here is my 80-year-old mom fascinated with the stilettos hanging on that tree. lol

[RichardTaylor]

I like it.
Think of all those pics from Kodak celebrating Christmas......

[Michael_2010]

That is more or less in the snapshot category, but it is good to see mom so chipper.

I want to come up with something a little unusual. Not just decorated trees or yard ornaments. But, my creative juices are not flowing on this one yet. It is probably something very simple with an unusual lens angle complimented by lighting....... hmmmmmm............

[Krusty79]

I don't know about the unusual part, but you can probably get some ideas from these links:

16 Digital Photography Tips for Christmas

How to Photograph Christmas Lights and Other Holiday Events

Strobist: How to Photograph Christmas Lights

I was thinking of trying some of those shots where you zoom the lens while shooting - might get some cool effects. Or you can go to the North Pole...

[tlake55]

Oh, the zooming is sooooo fun...definitely give it a try

[maverick28]

Originally Posted by tlake55

Oh, the zooming is sooooo fun...definitely give it a try

thats a cool one...