3 Tips for better Holiday pictures...

Tis the season to take Holiday pictures and share them with your ActiveRain friends and family. Here are a few tips that I have learned over my 30 years behind the lens to have you shooting like the pro you knew you were. 

#1 - Use manual settings on your D-SLR. I prefer to use Aperture Priority settings. Set the aperture to the maximum f-stop (smallest number) you have. Depending upon the lens this will generally be f 5.4 or f 4.5. This will open the iris to allow maximum light into the camera sensor. Using Program or Auto setting will use a combination of shutter and aperture settings to get the results. Too small an aperture along with too much shutter time will make your shots grainy or allow in too much light which will ruin the shot.

#2 - Use manual focus. Many D-SLR's have problems focusing on dim lights. Don't leave your pictures to chance. Manually focus your shots for best results.

#3 - Use a good tripod. Good tripods have come down in price over the years. No matter how steady a hand you have, you cannot hold a camera still for over 1/8th of a second. After that, your shots will be blurred.
 
By using these 3 tips and a little practice, you too will be shooting like a pro in no time. Good luck...



Downtown Franklin, TN.


Christmas tree on the square in downtown Franklin, TN


Looking down Main Street, downtown Franklin, TN

© 2009 michael thornton | complete home inspections, inc. | brentwood, tn | 615.661.0297 | www.completehomeinspectionsonline.com
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This posting and the contents herein is the intellectual property of Michael Thornton, CEO of The Complete Group.

Complete Home Inspections, Inc
615.661.0297
Brentwood, TN
 
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This post is a contribution to the ActiveRain Real Estate Network.

 

 
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125 Comments on 3 Tips for Better Holiday Pictures...

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

DEC
20
2009
148,441 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Your pictures are beautiful.  I've often thought about getting a more advanced camera.
5:16pm • #106
1,141,830 Points 124 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That's it - Santa must deliver a tripod this year!  Great points - thanks!
5:30pm • #107
192,622 Points Outside Blog

Beautiful pictures and thanks for the tips!  I will put them to use in the next few days, especially when the grandchildren are around opening their gifts.  Thanks and Have a blessed and wonderful Merry Christmas.
5:31pm • #108
291,918 Points 2 Featured Posts

Michael,

Thank you for the tips.   The photos are awesome and the rain on the ground sure added some colors to your night photos!   I am still using a point and shoot camera but I am hoping to make the switch to a D-SLR in the near future.  Your beautiful night photos of Franklin are further convincing me to make the switch.
5:54pm • #109
169,888 Points

Thanks for the pointers...my picture taking is always interesting experience.
5:57pm • #110
122,675 Points 3 Featured Posts

Great photos and great tips!  I have a D-SLR but I haven't really gotten past the auto features.  I think now I am ready to venture out a little bit more.  Thanks!
8:56pm • #111
1,363,755 Points 42 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I need to play some more with the manual settings on my digital SLR.  I've never learned them as well as I knew those on my regular SLR.
9:02pm • #112
655,373 Points 29 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Wow Michael 111 comments and going.  As always great information.  I'm glad I was able to comment before your comments get turned off because of too many comments.
9:03pm • #113
170,726 Points 6 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Great tips and great photos of downtown Franklin!  Thanks for sharing!
9:38pm • #114

Your blog came just at the right time!  I've been struggling to get a good outside shot of my home's Christmas lights, and it just wasn't working.  I've got a Canon Power Shot S70 that takes awesome interior shots, but I just didn't know how to set the F stops, etc., to make it work at night.  Just ran outside and tried it, and it is SO much better.  Now I need to get the old tripod out to make it really good.  Thanks for the great info!
10:27pm • #115
DEC
21
2009

Thanks for the tips and the beautiful pictures.  You have inspired me to get out there and do some more shooting myself.  The rain was an added bonus.  Merry Christmas!!
10:04am • #116
410,521 Points 17 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Michael, let me add my kuddos to the above comments. LOVE the tutorial, and the photographs are absolutely awesome!!! I'm bookmarking this so I can get the hang of the aperture, etc. I have the same settings on my camera, but haven't used the Manual setting yet. I have the Nikon D70s with a wide angle and the 18-200 as well as a wide angle and the original one I purchased with the camera. I am still trying to get the "hang" of all of those other buttons! Thanks for sharing all of these cool details ;-)

 

Merry Christmas
10:52am • #117
1 Featured Post Outside Blog

Once we got less "flash dependent" we learned our photos come out so much better than before. They are more true to the occasion, candids come out great, and overall we are pleased with each photo now more than ever. Here's something else we learned . . . when sending out a photo collection for family and friends to view, via Shutterfly, Kodak Gallery, Facebook, or Flickr pick the top shots and narrow the book down so that instead of 100 of the same shots you have a quality book of 25-30 of the best shots. Trust me, people will look forward to your books much more in the future!
4:03pm • #118
DEC
22
2009
585,313 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Michael -

Thanks for the post...I am always out to learn a new thing or two about pix-making.  Your examples are illuminating...and so are the comments you've received and your answers.
3:09am • #119

Nice photos thanks for the tips!
7:02pm • #120
DEC
30
2009
196,635 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog

great tips and beautiful photos! the tripod idea is good.... I need more help than that... but thank you!
12:23am • #121
DEC
31
2009
1,100,669 Points 202 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good Morning Michael, I noticed that you did not add the Award of Merit Ribbon to your post. Could you do that please so everyone can see it. You certainly deserve it and it would be nice to see these awards posted in the blog so other ActiveRain members can see that they have been awarded.
11:57am • #122
138,564 Points 3 Featured Posts

Michael - Thanks for the tips. For years I used a 35 mm camera and always used manual settings. For Christmas, I received a Nikon D3000 camera and I am so excited to get back in the saddle with photos where I truly have more control. I have signed up for a night walk shoot of Denver within 2 weeks so hopefully I will be able to post something soon. Thanks and Happy New Year!
6:12pm • #123
JAN
01
2010
110,282 Points Localism Sponsor

You did a great job backing up your post. These pictures are great and your advice is great as well. Thanks for the post.
11:28pm • #124
MAR
21
2010
213,184 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Wow!  I can see why Charles Buell introduced me to your blog Michael!  I'm your newest subscriber!

A referral is sending someone you care about to someone you trust! 

Valet Real Estate Services

Concierge Man Serves a Home

Vic Steele, Broker, CA DRE License No. 01349863

Valet Real Estate Services

571 N. Poplar, Suite H, Orange, CA  92868

Vic@SteeleGroup.net
12:54pm • #125

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Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector - 615.661.0297 (Complete Home Inspections, Inc.) Ambassador_large

Michael Thornton - Nashville, TN area Home Inspector - 615.661.0297

Brentwood, TN

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Complete Home Inspections, Inc.

Address: 217 Jamestown Park Road, Suite 12, Brentwood, TN, 37027

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