It’s that time of year again where we sing festive songs, celebrate with family, look for the best deals, and hang decorations. Christmas light photography perfectly captures the holiday spirit. The vibrant colors, twinkling lights, and creative displays seen in photographs add a certain enchantment to a scene that is not found any other time of year. This type of photography offers something special; it is emotive, nostalgic, and full of warmth and joy. Capturing these memories allows us to treasure them for years to come so we can remember the beauty of the season each and every December. In this article, we’ll expand on our previous Christmas Photography Ideas article to give you more specific tips and inspiration for your Christmas lights photography!
Christmas Lights Photography: At a Glance
This guide covers everything you need to know about capturing stunning Christmas light photos, from timing and camera settings to composition techniques.
- How to Photograph Christmas Lights Video – Watch a step-by-step tutorial
- Christmas Lights Photography Tips – Essential techniques for better results
- Frequently Asked Questions – Common questions answered
- Conclusion – Final thoughts and inspiration
How to Photograph Christmas Lights – Video
Let’s start with this classic video by Jay P. Morgan from The Slanted Lens. There are a few basic guidelines for taking great Christmas lights photos. Jay P. breaks down the process in 5 easy-to-follow steps.
How to Photograph Christmas Lights – Tips
Below are a few of the tips from the video above combined with tips and ideas from our team at SLR Lounge. Whether you’re photographing a decorated home, a holiday light display, or portraits with Christmas lights in the background, these techniques will help you capture the magic of the season.
Choose the Right Time of Day
If you have ever tried to take pictures of Christmas lights, you know they can appear almost stark against the black of night. The best time to be out shooting is around dusk or very early morning during blue hour when there is limited daylight remaining. You will want just enough ambient light so the house still has detail and separation from the sky.
It is important to remember that you have a very limited timeframe of around 15 minutes to get the shot you desire; otherwise, the ambient light will be too bright or too dark. Scout your location beforehand so you know exactly where to set up when that golden window arrives. Experiment with the technique to find out what works best for your specific shooting conditions.
Don’t Use Flash for Christmas Lights Photography
Though it may seem like a good idea to illuminate the scene with on-camera or off-camera flash, it might ruin your exposure. The Christmas lights have a constant exposure, and combined with the surrounding ambient light, there will be plenty of light for a blur-free exposure. Flash can also wash out the warm glow of the lights, removing the cozy atmosphere you’re trying to capture.
If you do decide to use flash, just make sure it’s not spilling onto the Christmas lights. You can do this by putting a snoot or grid on your flash or by moving your subjects further away from the Christmas lights. See the example below where flash is used to illuminate the subject while preserving the ambient glow of the background lights.
Use the Right Camera Settings
Find the right exposure with your camera settings. Ideally, you’re looking for an exposure that captures the Christmas lights without issues like motion blur or excessive grain. The key is balancing your ISO, aperture, and shutter speed to let in enough light while maintaining image quality. Here are the settings Jay P. used for the image above:
- White Balance: Tungsten or Daylight (Tungsten will keep the lights warm; Daylight adds a cooler, blue tone to shadows)
- Shoot Raw for maximum flexibility in post-processing
- ISO: 640 or higher (stay close to your camera’s native ISO for a cleaner image)
- Aperture: f/5
- Shutter Speed: 1/8th of a second
You can try using the same settings, or you can widen your aperture (use a lower f-number like f/2.8 if your lens allows it) to bring the shutter speed up. A faster shutter speed will be critical if you are not using a tripod and need to handhold the camera. If your images are coming out too dark, try increasing your ISO incrementally until you achieve the desired brightness.
Use a Tripod for Christmas Lights Photography
When photographing Christmas lights, a tripod can be a powerful tool for getting the perfect shot. It allows for longer shutter speeds to capture more light, which in turn gives you the opportunity to use lower ISO settings, creating crisper images with less noise and grain. This is particularly useful for nighttime photography or festive settings where you want precise, tack-sharp results. Tripods also offer stability when taking photos with longer focal lengths and in lower light settings, where even the smallest hand movement will result in blurriness. All of this makes it easy to produce stunning photography that captures the beauty of Christmas lights.
In the photo above, taken in pitch black darkness, the Christmas lights are still beautifully exposed with the help of a tripod. Without one, this shot would have required a much higher ISO, resulting in a noisier image, or a wider aperture that might not keep everything in focus.
Capture the Beautiful Bokeh
Capturing beautiful bokeh in Christmas lights photography requires a good eye and the right technique. For added interest, try using a wide aperture (low f-number like f/1.8 or f/2.8) so that your subject is sharp while the lights become an inviting blurry backdrop with soft, circular shapes. The key to achieving those glowing orbs of light often associated with holiday photography is distance: the further the lights are from your focal point, the larger and softer the bokeh will appear.
Experiment with different distances between your subject and the background lights. When you find yourself capturing brighter backgrounds, you may need to adjust your exposure to avoid overblowing the highlights. Spot metering on your subject can help maintain proper exposure even with bright lights in the frame.
In the photo above, notice how the Christmas lights on the building are beautifully blurred since the focus is on a foreground object, the sign. The bokeh creates a nice, soft effect that adds atmosphere without distracting from the main subject.
Don’t Forget Your Compositional Theory
With Christmas lights photography, it might be easy to see the beauty of the lights and start firing away with your camera. But take a moment and analyze the scene. Look for opportunities for compositional techniques like leading lines, negative space, rule of thirds, symmetry, and balance. These principles will elevate your Christmas light photos from simple snapshots to compelling images.
In the photo below, notice how the lines of the pathway and surrounding lights lead right into the subject of the photo, the Christmas tree. This use of leading lines draws the viewer’s eye directly to the focal point and creates depth in the image.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Lights Photography
What is the best time to photograph Christmas lights?
The best time to photograph Christmas lights is during blue hour, which occurs roughly 20 to 30 minutes after sunset. This window gives you enough ambient light to capture detail in the surroundings while the sky provides a rich blue backdrop that makes the lights pop. You have about 15 minutes of ideal conditions before it becomes too dark.
Do I need a tripod for Christmas light photography?
While not absolutely required, a tripod is highly recommended for Christmas light photography. It allows you to use slower shutter speeds and lower ISO settings, resulting in sharper images with less noise. If you don’t have a tripod, look for stable surfaces to rest your camera on, or use a wider aperture and higher ISO to enable handheld shooting.
What camera settings should I use for Christmas lights?
Start with ISO 400 to 800, an aperture around f/5.6 to f/8 for overall sharpness (or f/1.8 to f/2.8 for bokeh effects), and adjust your shutter speed based on available light. If using a tripod, you can use slower shutter speeds like 1/8th second or longer. Shoot in RAW format to give yourself flexibility when editing white balance and exposure.
How do I get the bokeh effect with Christmas lights?
To achieve beautiful bokeh with Christmas lights, use a wide aperture (f/1.8 to f/2.8), focus on a subject in the foreground, and position the lights in the background. The further the lights are from your focal point, the larger and softer the bokeh circles will appear. Prime lenses with wide maximum apertures work best for this effect.
Should I use flash when photographing Christmas lights?
Generally, you should avoid using flash for Christmas light photography as it can wash out the warm glow of the lights and flatten the scene. If you need flash to illuminate a subject, use a modifier like a snoot or grid to control the light, and position your subject away from the Christmas lights so the flash doesn’t spill onto them.
Conclusion
Christmas light photography is uniquely beautiful and captivating. This type of photography has a special ambience that is created when lights twinkle and glimmer against the evening sky. Whether the photograph contains traditional string lights, colorful flood lighting, or unexpected holiday displays, capturing these moments is both an unforgettable experience for the photographer and a sight to behold for everyone who views the work. We hope these tips inspire your Christmas lights photography this holiday season!
