need help capturing the right light on our tree

fortheluvofpooh

I believe in fairies, I do, I do!!!!!
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Jul 7, 2007
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we have a multi color led light tree, white wall background. I just can't get it right. If I use a flash then I lose the light effect, if I use no flash then it just seems too noisey. Here is a sample.
PC110722.jpg
 
I would STRONGLY recommend using a tripod if at all possible. That way you can have it steady without having to worry about blur and can leave the shutter open. It might help if you let us know what kind of camera you're using too. :thumbsup2
 
I used these tips as a starting point:
http://blog.webshots.com/?p=779
And got this:

I think I exposed for close to 2secs. (too lazy to go look) Oh yeah, and step out of the way so you don't cast a shadow, lol.

edited to add: ISO 400, F8, 2sec, tungsten w/b Used a tripod w/remote, no flash and one light on behind me.
 
A little more dramatic, I didn't quite get stars but my bulbs are bigger then most xmas lights. I added a vignette.
All lights off, tripod w/remote, no flash. ISO 100, F22, 30secs, tungsten w/b.
 

I got this one using the tips in # 3 (Thanks wenrob!)

189195DSC_0005.JPG


No flash, one light on to the side of me, tripod mounted 18-55mm lens set at 26mm, 1/25 f/4.5, ISO 1600.

I didn't use my remote either, I turned the VR off on the lens and gently pressed the shutter. I'm going to try later on tonight, to see if I can get the lights to show up better without the light from the window coming in.
 
I got this one using the tips in # 3 (Thanks wenrob!)
No flash, one light on to the side of me, tripod mounted 18-55mm lens set at 26mm, 1/25 f/4.5, ISO 1600.
You're are welcome, glad I could help. Very pretty tree!
I'm wondering though, if you're using a tripod why not drop your ISO all the way down and use a slower shutter speed? And if you use a lower aperture you'll get more of a star like effect. (I'd cover the windows though) You'll get your lights to shine that way.
 
Noise appears to be more of a problem when image are viewed full-screen on a monitor or when printed large. It's not usually a problem on 4x6 prints, so you need to evaluate the purpose of the image and decide if your worries are unnecessary. Noise doesn't look bad on the shruken image for posting on the web. The EXIF data was stripped from the image you posted, and you didn't post the settings, making it tough to give specific advice.

Stablize the camera by using a tripod. If you don't have a tripod use a table, chair, shelf, or other surface, and fine-tune the camera height with books or any other solid things you can find. Even with a camera stablized on a tripod or table, the act of pushing the shutter button introduces camera shake, so use the camera's timer delay feature. When taking the picture, don't lean on the tripod/table and don't move around; just stand still during the exposure. Set the camera to manual mode, use a low ISO setting (ISO 100), a moderate aperture (f/8), and a slow shutter speed (a few seconds). Review the image. If it's too dark use an even slower shutter speed; if it's too light, use a faster shutter speed. Take another picture, review it, and adjust the shutter speed again, if necessary. Keep doing this until you get the exposure that you want. You might want to turn on other lights in the room to expose the tree a little more. It can be tough to judge an image using the camera's tiny LCD screen, so once you think you have a good exposure I suggest "bracketing" the shot by taking another image or two slightly darker and slightly brighter than what looks good on the LCD. Then review those images on the computer screen, pick the best one and complete any needed post-processing.
 
Taken with all lights off, 2sec timer on a tripod, no flash, ISO 200, 2.5 secs, f13. Adjusted the WB temp slider in Lightroom.

433509714_CEpkX-M.jpg
 
Ok. I think I've got it now. The lights are twinkling, and the tree looks halfway decent. Of course I can't beat JimboJimbo's...

189195DSC_0039.JPG
 
PC150807_edited-2.jpg


how about this one? do you think it is better. I have to get dh to dig out the big tripod, I only have a small one that I carry in my bag.
 
we have a multi color led light tree, white wall background. I just can't get it right. If I use a flash then I lose the light effect, if I use no flash then it just seems too noisey. Here is a sample.
PC110722.jpg

PC150807_edited-2.jpg


how about this one? do you think it is better. I have to get dh to dig out the big tripod, I only have a small one that I carry in my bag.


trying to bring the photos together for me to compare
 
okay, to my amatuer eye, it looks better. I can't wait till I get the big tripod.
 
I think it looks better! Who knew that photographing one little ol' tree with light could be so hard, eh?
 
I agree. We have white lights outside and the gave me no trouble. The colored lights inside though, yikes! :scared1:
 
I went and read the instructions in post #3, but I had to really lengthen my shutter speed from what they recommended.

ISO 400 f8 1.3"
IMG_4270.jpg


and for the tree with colored lights
ISO 400 f8 3.2"
IMG_4319.jpg
 
fortheluvofpooh, check out the difference in the backgrounds of the photos. The photos with colored lights have kind of a reddish/mottled cast on the walls, whereas the photos with clear lights have a more uniform looking background. I think it's the background that's throwing us off when we look at our photos.

Maybe that's the key, either photograph the tree in brighter light against the wall and allow for a much slower shutter to maximize "twinkle", or just switch to clear lights. I'm going to try it out on my son's little tree. That has clear lights on it.
 
If you can, attach a star filter to the lens.
You can get 'stars' if you lower your aperture and let the exposure go a little longer. My camera actually has a star filter you can apply in camera, way overkill, lol!

Love how these trees are coming out. I agree it seems the white lights produce betters pics. After seeing Michele's it's making me want to retake mine.
 












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