Need advice taking holiday photos

[michelina01]

Need to get some images of a family of four in front of their Christmas tree. Not my favorite of pictures, due to the 2 different exposure needs to capture the essence of the tree lights without blurring out the faces of my subjects. Also I favor more of a candid style of portraiture, but I can deal with posing them, so long as I can get the right exposure. Any recommendations?

 

[Big Mike]

If you want to capture the lights on the tree, then lower the ambient lighting and use a slow(ish) shutter speed. Then use flash (or something) to light up the people. If, on the other hand, you want the tree ornaments to show, then you will want more light on the tree.

What I have done in years past, is to shoot so that the tree (and people of course) are well exposed. Then go in with Photoshop, and give the lights a little twinkle and make them brighter.