Some Tips on Low Light Photography

And the parties continue...

Lesly had her Christmas party on Sunday. Its been a few years since I've been to it and I really had a wonderful time. Of course my favorite part was the delicious dessert. I missed dinner since I came from work.


Dan & I in front of Lesly's Christmas tree. We unintentionally matched!


I love shooting from my hip with my flash turned off because you can get such natural shots. Here is my favorite photo of guests singing Christmas carols.


More houses from Pacifica as promised. This is the most crazy one I found Sunday night. Pretty fun!


The second most decorated house in Pacifica happens to be right around the corner from me. I love that palm tree!


Because it gets dark so quickly during this time of the year, photography can be a little bit trickier. For those night photographs of houses decorated or your Christmas tree, follow these tips as best as you can:

• Turn your flash completely off. The colors get washed out and things get even darker in the background.
• Stabilize your camera on a tripod or a sturdy surface (table) for a clear image.
• Set your camera on the night photography setting if it has one.
  
• If it doesn't, try setting it on aperture priority and open it all the way so as much light can come through the lens.
• Raise your camera's ISO setting to 800 if it can handle it. This will cause more noise so you need to play with your camera and see when the photos start to look funny.
• Change your white balancing to the proper setting.
  
• If you are in a house at night, set it for tungsten light or florescent depending on what is present. If you are outside at night leave it on auto
• The longer the exposure, the more blurry it will be if you don't use a tripod.

Another rule that I swear by that I hope everyone takes on.

Do NOT take pictures while people are sitting down eating a meal. Its OK to take pictures of people before and after but you will NOT get that great photo of Aunt Mildred while she's chomping away at that beautiful Christmas ham.

Not So Silent Night

Thursday night Dan and I actually cooked a meal! We had delicious chicken burritos. Dan is cooking in his "can you see me on earth if you are in space?" shirt. Its a Norwegian thing... :D


Friday I received an e-mail from the company I interviewed with saying that they felt some of the other applicants were a better fit. I am very happy that I learned so much about their interviewing process.

I went to Not So Silent Night and it was so fun! Paramore was already playing but I didn't miss my favorite songs. Of course they play those towards the end! Here is a photo I took with my cell phone (cameras weren't allowed) from the ground floor. I love the flare from the lights.


We moved up to the second floor to relax and enjoy from the seats. I felt so lucky to see Jimmy Eat World perform. I love their music and they put so much energy into their live performance that you don't pick up from their CDs. If you haven't heard their newest CD Chase the Light, you ought to check them out.


Angels & Airwaves performed as well and Tom sounded like a motivational speaker. I couldn't help but crack a joke about being at some conference instead of a concert. I love the lines in this picture.


I got some fun goodies in the mail this week and I blame Michelle. :) She did such an amazing job with her guest design work for Elle''s studio I just had to get some yummies for myself. And since I was already shopping at etsy I thought I'd share the love with Every Jot & Tittle too. They arrived super fast.


Speaking of fun stuff in the mail, these amazing ornaments arrived from Australia, Singapore, and Iowa this week. I adore them so.


And here are my retro inspired ornaments that I mailed out to Singapore, Kansas, and Northern California. I got my inspiration from looking at Christmas ornaments year round. I'm going through a bright phase. I have one listed for sale here.


Saturday night I made a bracelet while watching the movie Waitress. It is a very inspiring movie for women to start their lives out fresh! Keri Russell and Andy Griffith are such incredible actors and actresses!

Lisa special ordered a glass bead, Swarovski crystal, and sterling silver bracelet for her mom. Here is the finished product. I really think she's secretly ordering it for herself since her favorite color is turquoise. Don't you adore the clasp?


After work on Sunday, I drove over to Walnut Creek for my Grandma's annual tree trimming party. I timed it right so I arrived for dinner and had a wonderful time being with the family. From left to right: Uncle Harry, my Dad, my Mom, me, my Grandma (I visit her every Tuesday), Aunt Sandy, and my cousin Kelley. The wonderful next door neighbor, Roger, took the photo for us.