When Pure Photoshop Actions blogged a tutorial on getting snazzy Christmas tree photos, I knew I had to try it. Like most people at the holidays, I love staring at pretty lights and shimmery, glittery decorations.
I pulled out the tripod and experimented with apertures of f/16, f/20, and f/22 at different distances from the tree using a 50mm lens. While f/16 (the recommended aperture by Pure Photoshop Actions) did indeed deliver some beautiful starbursts from the lights, f/22 elongated the points even more, making them more dramatic.
Below are my final edits (all tweaked in Lightroom, no actions needed). It was really hard to pick a favorite – I love both the colors and the beautiful antique look from the black and white conversions.
Note: I don’t have a formal living room, fireplace, mantel, etc. The tree is in our little front room so the surroundings with the window blinds and lamp are just kind of there, despite my efforts to dim them (else they’d look really bad).
To see larger versions of some of the photos, check my Flickr account.
Happy happy, merry merry!
11 Comments
love the lil’ cupcake ! ^^
Ooo, so cool!! I’ll have to try this once we get our tree up. Thanks for sharing the link!
Karen Cooley recently posted..The holidays are here :: Philadelphia Children’s Photographer
Sure! It was easier than I thought :-)
love the little cupcake lol.
Mary Peterson recently posted..Featured Business Friday- The Garden House Bed and Breakfast { Upstate, SC Wedding venue}
These are great! I love playing with the aperture/stopping down to get the star-burst effect. I’ve done it on some night bridge shots I did, but now I’ll have to give it a try on my Chrstmas tree too! Thanks for the idea!
P.S. I love the b&w conversion
Tara Colburn recently posted..Photo-a-Day Challenge | Day 3 | Fayetteville NC Photographer
Tara, I agree, I was surprised at how good the B&W looked. And it was just a simple preset that came with LR.
Very cool shots! I took some shots of my little kiddies and our tree last week, I’ll have to post them up.
Steve Lewis recently posted..Cassie + Matt – Scranton Wedding Photographer
Thank you, Steve! Yes, I’d love to see yours. :)
So much fun! Love all the seasonal suggestions. I just might have to try this one out.
Deborah Chetwood recently posted..TIPsy Tuesday – The Start
Your tree is just lovely! Will have to check out the tutorial you mention and try on my own tree. :)
Danielle Dutta recently posted..Crystal and Dustin – Honolulu Hawaii Photographer
I love Christmas light photos :)
StudioTrainer Kate recently posted..Branding Basics