How to photograph your Christmas tree…with or without your family!


I just wanted to take a minute to wish you all a happy and safe holidays! I hope Santa Claus brings you some great photo goodies, and that 2013 brings you lots of great photo opportunities! I have a lot of to be thankful for, with the amount of support you have all given me with launch of my apps.  I hope I have been able to say thanks to you all in some way so you know that I appreciate all your help.
I’d also like to offer you some tips to get a nice photo of your tree as well as a nice family portrait with it over the holidays.

If you’d like a nice shot of your tree like the one above here’s how!
This was done at night, with only the tree lights on, using the following steps:
Get out your tripod
A good setting would be 1/8th of a second at F8 using MANUAL mode(of course!) with ISO 400.  You can play with the exposure a bit to get brighter(slower shutter speed) or darker lights(higher shutter speed)
White balance wise, you can play around a bit to get different results.  The one above was with DAYLIGHT, but you could try TUNGSTEN if you find them too warm.
Use your self timer or remote to prevent possible camera shake.
If you want more details of the tree, you could use your flash to fill in the presents, etc.  I would suggest bouncing the light off the ceiling however to make it a nicer light!


You can also do a nice family portrait using the same settings to get a nice glow of the tree with the people.  You just have to make sure the people stay nice and still.  If you are worried about subject movement, try 1/60th of a second at F8.

Follow steps 1-2 above
3. Use FLASH whitebalance
4. You’ll get the best flash results if you bounce it off the ceiling.  Use TTL mode on the flash and adjust the flash +/- if necessary, or use MANUAL mode on the flash an adjust the power until the exposure is correct.  If you don’t have an external flash, just use your pop up.  If you can, put a diffuser in front of it, or a piece of paper, to soften the light.  If you use paper, don’t hold it too close to the flash, otherwise it might catch on fire!

Now, if you want yourself in the photograph, you’ll have to use your self time or remote control!


Of course, make sure it’s set to 10 seconds, not 2 like the one above… 🙂


Thanks again everyone! 2013 is going to be another great and exciting year of photography, learning, and other exciting things that I am looking at doing!

Have a safe and happy holidays!

Noel Chenier

ps-Dont forget to check out my photography assignment apps on the apple app store!  https://itunes.apple.com/ca/artist/noel-chenier/id566645905full details here: http://www.learnphoto.ca/apps

Noel Chenier
———-
Photographer and teacher
Connect with Noel on INSTAGRAM or TWITTER or via EMAIL 
Photography Assignment Generator Apps now available on the app store!
Noel’s Portfolio
Work Done by My Students!

 

More Photo Tips

  • Ask Me Anything

    Ask Me Anything

    My name is Noel Chenier, you killed my father, prepare to die… Oh wait, wrong fictional character! My name is Noel Chenier, IAmA highly succesful social media influencer. When I’m not doing that, I am a full-time photography instructor at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design in Fredericton. …
  • Canada Games Athlete Portraits-Rugby Player Walker Blizzard

    Canada Games Athlete Portraits-Rugby Player Walker Blizzard

    Today’s Canada Games Athlete portrait shoot is of rugby player Walker Blizzard. This was one of the earlier shoots, so again the weather was cloudy. Which was fine, as again, it would allow me more control over the light. So I started off with Walker in front of the rugby …
  • How To Photograph The Lunar Eclipse on November 8th

    How To Photograph The Lunar Eclipse on November 8th

    A super awesome lunar eclipse is happening in the early morning hours of Tuesday, November 8th. Most of Eastern Asia/Australia and Western North America are the prime viewing areas and will be able to witness the entire event, but those of you in North America/Central America will get to see …
  • Remembrance Day Photographs

    Remembrance Day Photographs

    I happened to be looking through images relating to Remembrance Day and came across a few images I’d thought I’d share. The top photograph is of Veteran Art Pottle, who fought with the 1st Special Service Force, AKA The Devil’s Brigade, during WWII in Italy and Southern France. It was …
  • Fun Assignment: SELF PORTRAIT

    Fun Assignment: SELF PORTRAIT

    Many photographers say they have difficulty photographing people, but one of your most difficult subjects to capture could be you yourself! We all have a vision of ourselves that we create, but when we are forced to face ourselves, we shy away. But the self portrait can also reveal something …

(326)

Leave a Comment

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.