Even focus is sometimes optional with Christmas lights - By d3b
Two things I really enjoy photographing are fireworks and Christmas lights. The fireworks tips I’ll save for summer but, since many of you will be getting new cameras, this is a great time to review tips for shooting Christmas lights.
You won’t need a lot in the way of equipment, but you will need a tripod and some kind of a remote trigger for your camera, like this RS60 E3. Not many people are steady enough to push the shutter button, even on a tripod, without shaking the camera. Fortunately they’re pretty inexpensive. If you get a wireless remote release, make sure it supports the “B” or Bulb setting. Wireless remotes and bulb mode can be tricky sometimes.
You’ll also want to bring your external flash, if you have one.
It may seem counter-intuitive to some that the best time to get Christmas light photos may not be after dark. The very best Christmas light pictures are to be had in the time from just after sunset to just before it gets completely dark. The lights are on but there’s still enough ambient light to add some detail to the sky and background.
That means you’ll be working in some tricky lighting conditions. Continuously changing ambient light and mixed-source practicals.
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