How to Photograph Christmas Lights

Mastering the art of taking pictures of Christmas lights will preserve the beauty of Christmas all year round. It is not hard to take good pictures of Christmas lights if you take them at the right time. And, attention to some small details will turn those good pictures into great pictures.

Instructions

1. Start taking pictures early. Dusk is the best time to take pictures of Christmas lights. Start planning your shots around sunset and take your pictures before it gets completely dark.

2. Position your camera to get as much sky in the picture as possible. This will give you a solid background and a nice effect.

3. Set the white balance of your camera to "tungsten." This will balance the glow of the lights and also make the sky a wonderful royal blue.

4. Look for a reflective foreground to add interest. Water works great, but snow or a metallic object can also work. The Christmas lights will glow brightly in the reflection.

5. Use a tripod to keep your camera steady. This will prevent your pictures from blurring.

6. Take a picture every minute until dark to get a range of shots. When there is too much light, the Christmas lights will appear dim. When there is not enough daylight left, your pictures will be too dark. In between these times, your Christmas light pictures will look great.

7. Go to Flickr, create an account, click on "Groups" and then search for "Christmas Lights." You will see pictures other people have taken of Christmas lights and can upload your own. Look for inspiration in the work of others (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your flash is off when taking pictures of Christmas lights. A flash will wash out the glow of the lights.