Earlier in the week I spotted this beautifully decorated tree. I thought it was very tastefully lit-up for Christmas and would make a marvellous photo.
What seemed like a good idea just didn’t work. I simply couldn’t avoid getting car headlights or brake lights in the image as the tree was situated next to a busy road.
As I couldn’t win the battle with the passing traffic, I thought I’d join it. I decided to incorporate the lights into the picture.
To take this shot, I mounted my camera onto my tripod, set the exposure time for 20 seconds and used a remote to avoid camera shake. I quite like the effect and think it adds something to the decorated tree.
What do you think? Does it work? Have you experimented with shutter speeds and long exposure times? Please do leave a comment if you have, I’d love to know of your experiences as I’ve only done a tiny bit myself.
I have linked this picture to the brilliant #MySundayPhoto linky hosted by the equally brilliant Photalife blog. If you’re into photography, do click on the badge and pay the linky a visit.
32 thoughts on “When Christmas lights and car lights collide”
Great picture. Love the effect.
If I can say so myself, I ma pleased with the result. Thanks for commenting David.
Works for me! The white stillness of the tree is a great contrast against the busy bright traffic… almost a metaphor in there!
Hadn’t thought about that actually, the two do contrast against each other well don’t they, they white light and moving red and yellow lights?
That’s a clever and pretty shot!
I’m delighted you like the image Karen. It was a total experiment that I think has paid off.
I actually really like it with the car lights, it’s a great effect! Beautiful tree too! 🙂 #mysundayphoto
The tree is great and I thought I’d have a go merging the car lights. I wasn’t sure if it would work but it seems to have done.
That is a gorgeous tree and I like the contrast with the lights from the cars.
Experimented with shutter speed? I wouldn’t have the first idea how! Maybe when the kids are bigger and I no longer have to be a taxi service 24/7 I might give it a go.
Funny you say that, I took that picture in-between journeys ferrying the kids around!
That’s a great shot. I’ve tried with a fairground ride which worked well for the lights, but couldn’t make out the people underneath because the lights took over. And have tried outside my office with car lights, but there were too many other lights around, and I was only on my phone, so 1 sec wasn’t really long enough. I never get out my tripod especially when out and about.
Yeah, it did require effort. I found myself with a spare half hour and just happened to have my camera with me so went for it. Defo needs to be longer than one second though. Some of the shots I took were exposed for 30 seconds.
Brilliant photo John. I love love love this effect.
Thank you for linking up
It’s an effect I’ve done in the past, but never with a remote. It was a fun experiment.
I think it works brilliantly. I was intrigued when I saw your Instagram photo of your camera on the tripod. Great shot 🙂 #MySundayPhoto
AH ha, yes, the Instagram shot! Now you know what it was all about.
Works for me, can you imagine putting all those lights on the tree!
#MySundayPhoto
I think the lights are left up all year round. In fact, I couldn’t help but notice a huge fuse box mounted high up in the tree!
It is a fabulous photo. I did something similar last year and I think light trails are so effective and look great. I think yours is great with the tree lights in the centre of the photo.
I can well imagine you have tried similar! With your burgeoning reputation for photography I’d be upset if you hadn’t.
Fantastic photo! Very clever! It’s a great effect
Thanks Kim. I thought it was worth a shot, trying to merge the car lights into the picture.
Great shot! ? I think the light trails really add something to the picture! #mysundayphoto
Thanks Catie, it was a bit of a flyer but I think it works.
I love the effect you create, so clever and fun
Thanks, it took quite a bit of experimentation with the exposure times but I got there eventually.
Very impressive! If I tried to do what you did it’d take me an hour and I’d still probably take a picture of a bin in perfect focus. I am a RUBBISH photographer.
Oh Spen, I don’t believe you can be that bad! Thanks for visiting, always delighted when you pop over to the blog.
Amazing photo John, the effect is brilliant. Fabulous x
Thanks Sara, glad you liked the picture.
yes it’s a wonderful photo. very clever to incorporate the lights as it really adds interest to that gorgeous tree. have a great xmas.
What a great shot – very artistic! It’s interesting seeing the two mixed together. There’s definitely some great things you can do and capture nowadays with technology!