Help: Photographing a Domestic Christmas Tree

[MX5]

Now bear in mind I'm a life long member of the Bah Humbug club.

SWMBO however isn't. She's put a tree up in the living room with ('Xenon Blue') LED lights (they are the bright point source lights) and more decorations than Oxford Street. [Tree is black. Decorations are Silver(ish)].

I've tried a number of exposures ... I've tried bouncing flash ... using a tripod and remote. But nothing is good ... the lights a well blown in the image. The images thus far ... make their own way to trash!!

She is most insistent I take a decent photo ... so Help ... anyone got any tips that can save my life ... please ... and ... double please.

Thanks

PS - I'll be using the 7D, 580EX and probably the 17-40L

[Colin]

Re: Help: Photographing a Domestic Christmas Tree

Try setting the tree lights on static not flashing camera on tripod and bracket your exposure (without flash) and then combine rather like an HDR shot. Should get you where you need to be.

[hhcanon]

Re: Help: Photographing a Domestic Christmas Tree

Go down the pub!

[Bawbee]

Re: Help: Photographing a Domestic Christmas Tree

Go down the pub!

Great suggestion, I'll see you all down there

[mikep]

Re: Help: Photographing a Domestic Christmas Tree

Try setting the tree lights on static not flashing camera on tripod and bracket your exposure (without flash) and then combine rather like an HDR shot. Should get you where you need to be.

I'd second those suggestions. You may need quite a wide bracketing... so expose for the lights, then the tree, then the decs etc... take a whole load, and let the HDR software have a play.

Good luck! Mike.

P.S. I rather liked the suggestion of going down the pub too!

[MX5]

Re: Help: Photographing a Domestic Christmas Tree

Okay - the lights are fixed on (Mode 1 ... it has many modes including areas that flash independently). My first attempt which was a +/- 2 EV AEB series, yields a no good ones. Since feedback here I tried the HDR feature in DPP but the result is its fair to say is naff.

I feel that this approach needs supplementing ... the shortest exposure (I had aperture fixed at f/8 and ISO-200) lights on. The other two takes ... lights off. Some playing me thinks. These LED lights are quite bright!

So a glass of Ginger Beer may be called for ;-) I knew it was going to be involved !!

[hhcanon]

Re: Help: Photographing a Domestic Christmas Tree

Okay - the lights are fixed on (Mode 1 ... it has many modes including areas that flash independently). My first attempt which was a +/- 2 EV AEB series, yields a no good ones. Since feedback here I tried the HDR feature in DPP but the result is its fair to say is naff.

I feel that this approach needs supplementing ... the shortest exposure (I had aperture fixed at f/8 and ISO-200) lights on. The other two takes ... lights off. Some playing me thinks. These LED lights are quite bright!

So a glass of Ginger Beer may be called for ;-) I knew it was going to be involved !!

MX - you need to get out more....Ah....I see you do..'appy Grimble. Sorry I cant help you with the latest conundrum. Look forward to a NYSD post!!

[Hereford_EOS]

Re: Help: Photographing a Domestic Christmas Tree

try it with the room lights on too.

better still tell SWMBO that your camera has suddenly stopped working, all that rain etc.. and put your feet up.

[tesarver]

Re: Help: Photographing a Domestic Christmas Tree

try it with the room lights on too.

better still tell SWMBO that your camera has suddenly stopped working, all that rain etc.. and put your feet up.

[djguk47]

Re: Help: Photographing a Domestic Christmas Tree

Just a thought, why not get the lights "right", with no flash, which will make the tree dark and when you have this "correct" then with the flash turned "way down low" and the same settings you used to get the lights right start taking more shots slowly increasing the power of the flash until the tree and the decorations are just right....

I think going down the pub is the best idea and have a bet with your mates as to who can take the best photo of the tree with a "free pint" to the one who can take the best photo.... just see it now 10 boozed men all trying to photograph SWMBO's prize Crimbo Tree... muddy boots on the best carpet... much raised voice from SWMBO and you banished back to the pub with sweet dulcet tones ringing in your ears...

[Nathaniel]

Re: Help: Photographing a Domestic Christmas Tree

I would have a "dizzy" spell!