Tutorials & Tips Link Party {40}

December 19, 2011

I thought I would give you some tips on shooting Christmas trees at night, but apparently I’m really bad at it so someone else will have to guide you {snicker}. There are a few tutorials on Pinterest right now that tell you to turn off all the lights, put your camera on a tripod, crank up your ISO, open your f-stop wide, and set your shutter speed to slow….and then out pops a gorgeous twinkling picture! I tried taking this advice and wound up with a hot mess. I present to you a few of my attempts.

Attempt #1: Someone call 911 because my tree appears to be on fire! Oh no. It’s just a tad too much ISO burning up my picture. Let’s turn that baby down a bit, shall we?

Attempt #2: Ahhhhhh….the ISO is lower now and it’s looking much, much better! However the surrounding area appears a bit more lit than I was hoping for. Maybe if I turn it down even more and increase my shutter speed.

Attempt #3: Hmmmm. It’s pretty but it still doesn’t quite have the twinkling light effect I was hoping for. I wanted the brightness in 2 with the background of 3.

If you’re an expert at photographing your tree at night and have a tutorial for it, I hope you’ll link it up! I obviously need to follow another one!

Okay, let’s start the party! I’m excited to see what crazy DIY goodness you’ve been up to!

PLEASE READ the rules of the party before linking:

Any tip or tutorial is welcome! Decorating, holiday ideas, room makeovers, cleaning tips, recipes, crafts, and sewing all count.
Keep content fresh! Please do not link the same projects week after week. I will delete posts that you’ve linked up here several weeks in a row.
If your post has been featured in a Tutes & Tips Not to Miss, please do NOT link it up again.
Link back. I only feature those who link back to me within your post.

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Comments

Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers says:

December 19, 2011 at 9:52 pm

Thanks for hosting!Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Vivienne @ The V Spot says:

December 19, 2011 at 10:02 pm

Thanks for hosting the party Beth! I have trouble with photographing ANYTHING with my cruddy camera, but my low-light subjects especially. I tried the ISO trick too and it turned out OK. (Not on fire, at any rate, so that’s good.)

Liz@HoosierHomemade says:

December 19, 2011 at 10:02 pm

Thanks so much for hosting! Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!
~Liz

Ginger says:

December 19, 2011 at 10:05 pm

Thanks for hosting girlfriend!

I have been trying to take a pretty photo of my tree for the past two weeks. I can’t figure it out. It is driving me bonkers! Your photo is gorgeous. I am wondering if I need more lights on my tree??? Oh well!

jessica@fourgenerationsoneroof says:

December 19, 2011 at 10:14 pm

I have about 70 pics just like your first one! Had a good laugh when I saw yours

Heather @At The Picket Fence says:

December 19, 2011 at 10:26 pm

I practiced and practiced and finally got some decent ones but not what I would have liked. I think the last two you took are very pretty! Thanks for hosting the party Beth! A very Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Heather

Lynnie says:

December 19, 2011 at 10:27 pm

I have a TON of fire tree photos. I can’t get anything right and I HAVE a nice camera. I am going to give up and just eat!

Jami Graham says:

December 19, 2011 at 10:27 pm

My husband thinks those types of pictures are amazing and make him a master photographer so if you share the same outlook as him, a bajillion pictures of your tree on fire and none with a clear image then you too are a master photographer! :p

Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says:

December 19, 2011 at 10:43 pm

I think I’d be happy if I got my photo to appear like #2 .

Jen Lossing, The Consigner Designer says:

December 20, 2011 at 12:07 am

Thanks for hosting. Your tree looks much better when it is not on fire! Just kidding. It looks lovely. I love your brick wall too!

Brooke says:

December 20, 2011 at 12:44 am

Your first picture made me laugh out loud, I love it! I have crummy tree pictures because I have a crummy camera haha!

Thanks for hosting!

Beverly {Flamingo Toes} says:

December 20, 2011 at 12:57 am

Thanks for hosting Beth!! And I think your last photo looks great! Really pretty.

Mindy says:

December 20, 2011 at 1:14 am

lol to your commentary on attempt #1! Maybe only do one or the other (decrease ISO or shutter speed), and not both. If you do both, your decreasing your exposure by double! Try the custom shaped bokeh I linked up Thanks for hosting!

Confessions of a Plate Addict says:

December 20, 2011 at 8:58 am

Thanks for hosting! A very merry Christmas to you and your family!…hugs…Debbie

Sherry says:

December 20, 2011 at 10:30 am

Yeah, that first one was pretty hilarious but the last two are nice…I prefer the 2nd. But I’m no expert. Ha. I’m linking up at 178 & 179 today. Thanks for hosting and making it possible
Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Amanda @ Serenity Now says:

December 20, 2011 at 12:44 pm

Thanks for hosting, Beth! I linked up this morning, but had to run. If you find a good tree tutorial, I hope you’ll Tweet it. I desperately need to learn more about manual settings.

Diane says:

December 20, 2011 at 1:11 pm

Hi Beth-

All my attempts to create some holiday bokeh in my photos or too get a decent shot of my tree at night have failed miserably, too. I gotta keep trying. Your tree looks very pretty even if the photo didn’t turn out as you planned.

AJ says:

December 23, 2011 at 8:24 am

Thanks for hosting! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! AJ@queenofmynest

suzanne barrow says:

January 8, 2012 at 1:35 am

Hi, I just viewed your tutorial on Pinterest and I’d like to join. Could you possibly send me an invitation? If so, thanks very much. Great video, helped me understand alot about Pinterest and I’m excited to get started on my own.