December 2011 photography assignment - Lights

[mbrager]

Even though we don't celebrate Christmas, it's hard not to be intrigued by the lighting displays on every second or third house in our neighborhood. So out I went last night to take some pictures. Lessons learned: 1. Put the camera on the tripod with the remote shutter release before you leave the house 1a. Take a flashlight. 2. Use a zoom lens because the compositions are very difficult to line up and avoid getting run over. 3. Ignore the barking dogs 4. Be friendly to people interested in what you are doing 5. Expect problems with time exposures and noise, so check your photos and reshoot before you move away 5a. Exposure compensation and manual focus are your friends 6. Gloves are a must in Calgary, but not all gloves work with a DSLR camera on a tripod 7. It's a very pleasant way to spend a few evening hours, including returning home to downloading and processing. I love the look of lights on a dark background. 8. There's much to enjoy during the season. Feel free to add to the list. Happy Holidays.

[susan]

Went to a Christmas walk in a small town about 1/2 hour from here. This little church held a Madrigal concert with horns, recorders and vocalists... whilst enjoying the sounds of the season, the wall caught my attention and how beautifully lit the art was -- bonus chandeliers made what my eye was seeing even prettier. Photo quality is not the best as I used a cell phone.

[susan]

[QUOTE=mbrager;117345]Even though we don't celebrate Christmas, it's hard not to be intrigued by the lighting displays on every second or third house in our neighborhood. So out I went last night to take some pictures. Lessons learned: 1. Put the camera on the tripod with the remote shutter release before you leave the house 1a. Take a flashlight. 2. Use a zoom lens because the compositions are very difficult to line up and avoid getting run over. 3. Ignore the barking dogs 4. Be friendly to people interested in what you are doing 5. Expect problems with time exposures and noise, so check your photos and reshoot before you move away 5a. Exposure compensation and manual focus are your friends 6. Gloves are a must in Calgary, but not all gloves work with a DSLR camera on a tripod 7. It's a very pleasant way to spend a few evening hours, including returning home to downloading and processing. I love the look of lights on a dark background. 8. There's much to enjoy during the season. Feel free to add to the list. Happy Holidays.

Totally enjoyed your writing of lessons learned. :-) Nice photos too!

[susan]

So many posts made already --- I like the diversity of submissions! Two that stood out the most to me were Scorpio e's Intensity .... Made me think of the red light district of New Orleans.... and Kat's little miss with the lights washing her face with a beautiful glo --- December is only a 3rd used up -- can't wait to see what the rest of the month brings!

[theantiquetiger]

[susan]

Nice add, antiquetiger!

[Marko]

Cool new submissions!!

[Cape Bretoner]

[Iguanasan]

My first entry...

[JAS_Photo]

Great images every one! Well, what with working 12 or 14 hour days and doing some photography for the Club, I have not had the time to go out and take phots but caught this with my phone "retro camera" on the way home from shopping a few days ago.