How to Take Pictures of Glowing Pumpkins
Halloween and fall memories are often captured in pictures, whether they're Halloween costumes or the glowing light of a carved pumpkin. Sometimes it's difficult to get a picture of a glowing pumpkin to turn out, however. Often they show a blurry, dark blob that you promise is a glowing pumpkin. Photographing glowing pumpkins is simple, though. You just need a little patience and the right camera equipment. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Prepare the pumpkin. After carving it, place a candle or battery-operated light inside. Make sure enough of the pumpkin has been carved away for light to shine through. Place the pumpkin on the front steps, on a table near other holiday decorations or in a place that looks seasonal. Avoid the cluttered background of the kitchen or garage where the pumpkin was carved.
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Place your film or digital SLR camera on a tripod. If you do not have an SLR camera, use a digital point-and-shoot camera. Place the camera on an even surface in front of the glowing pumpkin. Avoid placing the tripod on unsteady surfaces.
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Wait until it is getting dark outside to take the picture. Dusk is a beautiful time to photograph a glowing pumpkin. The exterior of the pumpkin will still show in the picture at this time. When it's completely dark outside, you'll be able to see just the glow of the pattern carved in the pumpkin.
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Turn the camera on to the "Program" mode. This is noted by the letter P on the main command dial or in the exposure settings area. Turn the camera's self-timer mode on, or activate the delayed shutter release option. Look through the camera and frame the pumpkin.
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Press the shutter button on the camera. Do not touch the camera. It will take a moment before you hear the click of the camera taking the picture. Since it's dark outside, the camera must make a long exposure. Avoid touching or bumping the camera while it is exposing. The darker it is outside, the longer it will take for the picture to expose.
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Tips & Warnings
If the picture of glowing pumpkins still comes out dark, adjust the camera manually. Set the aperture to a larger opening, and allow the shutter speed to be a longer exposure than the camera calculated on the Program setting.
