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Tips for Photographing Christmas Lights

Here's how to use your digital camera (or iPhone!) to capture the best of the neighborhood's Christmas light displays.

  • November 1, 2012
 
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Want to know how to take good photos of holiday lights? Read our tips from a professional photographer. Edward Maurer
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Want to know how to take good photos of holiday lights? Read our tips from a professional photographer. Credit Edward Maurer
Turn off the flash. In order to see the lights the way that your eye sees them, turn off the flash and use a longer shutter speed to capture the light on camera. Credit Edward Maurer
The key to photographing holiday lights is to have a long shutter speed, which will allow the camera's sensor to pick up the small amount of light coming from the bulbs. Credit Edward Maurer
No matter what kind of camera you have, keeping it steady is key to having clear nighttime photos. Using a tripod will provide the best results, but if you don't have one, then setting the camera on a solid surface will work. When neither is an option, then brace yourself and hold your breath to minimize the camera shake as much as possible. Another tip is enable your camera's timer function. When we press the shutter release button on the camera, it causes the camera to shake a bit. By using the timer on our camera, we can eliminate the camera shake. Credit Edward Maurer
A low vantage point was used in this image in order to change the perspective of the viewer. Choosing an angle that people normally do not see will help make the photograph more interesting. Credit Edward Maurer
Play and have fun with it. Once you've mastered the art of nighttime photography, try your hand at light painting. While the shutter is open for 3 seconds, the light is constantly making its mark on the sensor. You can use flashlights to shine and draw in the air, or — as in this case — you can swivel the camera around to make an interesting effect. Credit Edward Maurer
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Holiday lights around town range from the simple to the spectacular. Capturing the light shows can be challenging, though. Click on the images in our gallery for some expert advice from professional photographer Edward Maurer.

Related Topics: Christmas Lights, Holiday Decorations, holidays 2012, light displays, and photographing Christmas lights

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