Christmas Lights - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

12/31/2006 07:10:30 AM · #1

I took this shot at the Westonbirt Arboretum just before Christmas, when the Arboretum is opened for a few days in December in the evenings for the annual "Enchanted Walk". The walk takes you through the Arboretum and uses lights and other effects in the trees and glades to turn the Arboretum into a kind of massive enchanted woods. Really great for the kids and good for the adults, too. This shot was taken of the main walkway leading to the start of the walk.

Sadly, for me the actual walk was spoilt by the selfishness of a few gear-laden photographers, who ignored everyone else in pursuit of their pictures. These guys simply walked through other people's set ups while chatting loudly amongst themselves and almost seemingly mocking the attempts of the point and shoot folk to get good pictures. This upset me so much that I packed up all of my gear and simply enjoyed the walk, which to be honest was a darn good move.

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

12/31/2006 07:42:23 AM · #2

While I can fully appreciate your dilemma, you would in all probability have been better served had you expressed your disdain to either the parties involved, or the authorities at the said location.

Sadly, some people need to be reminded that their actions are unacceptable as they do not seem to possess the mental acumen to realize this by themselves.

Judging by the image you are exhibiting here, it is sad that you opted to dismantle your gear... I am sure the results would be stunning.

Ray

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

12/31/2006 12:31:13 PM · #3

Well, I have to admit that I did make my displeasure clear in so far as I said to one of the guys - an older, Nikon-festooned photographer - as he ruined someonelses shot words to the effect of "Shame that your brain isn't as capable as your camera!", for which I was not too proud.

All he did was to look at me aghast and uncomprehending, probably because I was laden with Nikon camera, full kit bag and a rather large tripod. I must admit that I did enjoy the smile of the young lady whose picture had been ruined after I chastised the photographer.

I did get one or two other shots after the one I took but just prior to the walk beginning and just after the incident I lost heart as there were a lot of mutterings about "Bloody photographers!". Here is the last one I took, just for the record.

Geee

Nikon D300

12/31/2006 01:28:42 PM · #4

I too was doing night outshooting but at the Butchart Gardens in Victoria BC photographing the Twelve Nights of Christmas Light Display. I'm new to night shooting and thought I would try out my new D80. It was a bust.

Obsidian, I really like your photo and and any advice on night shooting you or anyone else could give would be appreciated. I did not use a tripod, and shot on auto and preprogrammed night landscape and night portait with and without built in flash.

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

12/31/2006 03:43:00 PM · #5

Originally posted by Geee:

I have to confess that I am a novice at night shooting but there is one golden rule I have found: tripods are a must! Must be because I am getting old but I cannot hand hold my camera below 1/30 second and with a monopod maybe can bet to 1/4 second but, in reality, much below 1/10 second is tripod territory.

Another useful thing to do is to print an EV (Exposure Value) table and an EV guide and have it in the camera bag. Here is a wikipedia version that is a real joy.

Why?

Because when you start to trade f-stop with shutter and ISO speeds you can get into a real mess so a trick I use is to use the in-built camera light meter at ISO 3200 to determine my shutter speed below 30 seconds for a given exposure, 30 seconds being the last of the selectable shutter speeds before going into bulb territory. I then calculate the equivalent ISO 200 or ISO 100 shutter speed by multiplying the ISO 3200 speed by 16 or 32 and - et voila! - there is the exposure time! To trade exposure and f-stop find the closest value in the EV table and then work left or right to get the natural swap points - e.g. 120 seconds at f/11 is the same as 30 seconds at f/5.6 (but then I would guess you knew that).

Or...

You can have a good guess at an exposure from the EV Exposure Time table and programme that in to the camera.

Either way, a tripod is a must for me.

Hope this has been useful in some small way.

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

12/31/2006 03:50:06 PM · #6

Good shots, Carl. These lit night walks are becoming really popular. Haven't been to Westonbirt for quite a few years now. Winkworth Arboretum near Godalming is a smashing place to visit, some great hilly walks amongst the trees, hence the name, Arboretum? :)

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

12/31/2006 04:06:07 PM · #7

Originally posted by sodoff:

Thanks, Steve.

In the spirit of the season a nice play on words for this one is "Aborectum" as in the perceived lack of feeling you get from sitting under the trees all day.

And you are from Berkshire, too - small world...

SteveJ

Canon EOS-7D

12/31/2006 04:13:12 PM · #8

Yep, just down the road from you, so maybe one day Nikon and Canon might meet up for a day out somewhere. I know there are a few others nearby, so could develop??