A Haven for Vee

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Photography Technique for Christmas Trees and Lights...

and all thanks to one of the finest photographers I know—Jill at Jill's World of Reaction, Research and Millinery who told me in comments about it yesterday. Another reason to adore comments! It involved a tea
strainer and taking a photo through the tea strainer to make the lights appear like stars. I decided to give it a whirl and, being the scientist I am, also decided to try a mesh like fabric and some tulle. Well I'll be jiggered if it didn't work just as Jill said. What do you think?

Though, I'm pretty certain the tea strainer should not  be visible.

It looks promising as far as the lights...not sure about the shadows on the walls. Perhaps a good cropping.


Nope, he's a star, but he's not shining too bright this morning. Ha! This proves that mesh creates a fog. (Tulle results not yet in.)


I happened to visit the bakery yesterday for a gift certificate and while standing at the counter started to look around. That's always very dangerous in the bakery. One never knows what will start demanding to be taken home. In my case, it was two cranberry orange scones and two blueberry lemon scones. Yummy! Have you tried the holiday peppermint tea yet? It is just as delicious as all those other bloggers have said. That's why I have some now. I'm highly suggestible, but then I know that you are, too! Are you going to try it? The tea? The tea strainer?

Have a delightful day,

Posted by Vee at 8:02 AM
Labels: , ,

39 comments:

  1. Edie Marie's AtticDecember 15, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    Hi Vee!

    It's so nice to be back! I really like the starry look through the tea strainer... gotta find mine for some tests.

    You have made me HUNGRY this morning after seeing that scone... I love cranberry orange anything!

    Happy holidays to you and yours Vee!

    Big hugs, Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  2. Carol at SerendipityDecember 15, 2011 at 8:12 AM

    Vee,

    I shall get my tea strainer out this afternoon. I will go and visit Jill too. What a great idea and thank you for sharing it! I wonder if it would remove some of the wrinkles on my face? LOL

    Carol

    ReplyDelete
  3. Single and SaneDecember 15, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    I've always seen beautiful pictures of Christmas lights and wondered how they got them. Your results are wonderful - can't wait to see how the tulle turns out!

    Margaret

    ReplyDelete
  4. Penny from Enjoying The Simple ThingsDecember 15, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    What a great trick! I have to try that. Your scones look good.

    ReplyDelete
  5. LindyLouMacDecember 15, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    I must try this, thanks for the tip!

    ReplyDelete
  6. HappyKDecember 15, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    Hey that really works for making stars out of the lights!!
    John does not look happy this morning. I think you just caught him by surprise. I'm sure right now he smiling and happy. Tell him i said hi! : )

    ReplyDelete
  7. ChrisDecember 15, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    Hi Vee!

    I'm going to try that little photo trick today. Thanks so much for sharing it.

    Scones? I love 'em! I baked a batch yesterday, cinnamon pecan. I wish I had a "real" bakery close...

    Have a wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
  8. DianeDecember 15, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    Love the strainer idea and, yes!, I'll try it.

    Peppermint tea is wonderful and a teaspoon of the peppermint coffee creamer makes hot chocolate really yummy, too.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Auntie sezzzzzz...December 15, 2011 at 10:21 AM

    Cute photography trick!!! :-) Never heard of using a strainer.

    Try using a different setting, too. If you use Regular ordinarily... Use some other one, just to try it out. A simple thing like a diff Setting, might make a unique effect. "Artsy-fartsy" and all that. -giggles-

    Or with mine, up-too-close makes "starry-starry-night" effect sometimes.

    -sigh- I don't really care for tea, so I always miss out on such as you are enjoying. Oh I've tried them. But it's always the same. I end up throwing the box out.

    Is there a *Tea Gene*? Could I have been born, without it?

    :-)

    :-)

    :-)

    "It is good to be children sometimes,
    And never better than at Christmas."

    ~~Charles Dickens

    ReplyDelete
  10. LorrieDecember 15, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    I'm definitely going to try out the tea strainer idea. I want stars on my tree, too!
    Love peppermint tea. Those scones can be pushy and demanding, can't they? Always wanting to go home with you.

    ReplyDelete
  11. MartiDecember 15, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    I am going to try the tea strainer first taking a picture, and then with some tea. I do love the peppermint tea. Thanks for the good tip.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Cheryl @ TFDDecember 15, 2011 at 11:54 AM

    Hi Vee, I haven't heard of using a strainer, I'll have to try that one out! Lovely shooting!
    PS You have no idea how long it took me to type these few words with a furball draped across my arms! I guess she's needing attention today since I left her yesterday for shopping. Poor baby.
    Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  13. ellen b.December 15, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    I like that phrase...highly suggestible. Yes I am. I'm going to try that tea strainer idea for sure...
    Happy Thursday to you.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thoughts on Life and Millinery.December 15, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    Glad the dumb fun hint worked well for you! Might try putting the strainer bowl facing away from the lens to get it closer to the lens. I'd love to try it with a new copper mesh too....haven't yet.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Thoughts on Life and Millinery.December 15, 2011 at 1:26 PM

    Oh and be sure to try a close up on just a couple of lights too.

    ReplyDelete
  16. DebbieDecember 15, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    Remember, imitation is the highest form of compliment. Unless it's in writing, then it's plagerism. Nevertheless, check out my blog as I take your advice on tea strainer photography! :D
    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  17. Judy December 15, 2011 at 2:13 PM

    Amazing what we can learn from each other! Must give that a try...the tea strainer trick.

    Haven't tried the peppermint tea...but the peppermint mocha at 'the golden arches' is quite fine!

    ReplyDelete
  18. thistlewoodfarmDecember 15, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    What a great tip! Your "stars" look wonderful. Aren't bloggers the smartest people on earth!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Pamela GordonDecember 15, 2011 at 2:57 PM

    Well, I must definitly try the tea strainer tip! Who knew? As for tea. Have you tried Stash's Christmas Chai Spice tea? Yum. And they also make a decafinated tea called Christmas Eve. I can drink it AND go to sleep! It snowed here this morning and now it's raining! Not nice out at all. Stay warm and dry. Pamela

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousDecember 15, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    Wow! That's great! Thanks for the tip! I can't wait to try it out and wow my family with my great photography! LOL! Love your tea cup too!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Becky K.December 15, 2011 at 4:36 PM

    The things we can learn by hanging around the blog world. That effect is great. I've always been disappointed by photos of my tree since it looks so much warmer and beautiful in person. Bet this would fix that.


    oops...there's the phone.............

    ReplyDelete
  22. BarbaraDecember 15, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    Now why is the holiday peppermint tea any different to regular peppermint tea I wonder.
    I shall try the mesh in front of the lights to see if it makes any difference.

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousDecember 15, 2011 at 4:49 PM

    Vee,
    I'm off to try the tea strainer...well, the strainer. Right now.
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  24. SandyDecember 15, 2011 at 5:26 PM

    Vee,

    You crack me up! John has a look on his face like he is thinking, "What is she up to now?" Peppermint is not my cup of tea but I will try the strainer tip. Thanks for the smile.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Colleen - the AmAzINg Mrs. BDecember 15, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    wow..even the strainer could make hubby look happy to be up, huh?! LOL..the idea is great - I need to really practice with my little "point-n-shoot" to even get any good night-lights pictures, no less using kitchen tools! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  26. Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage BlogDecember 15, 2011 at 7:21 PM

    I showed Lindsay the strainer trick and she likes it! I'm going to have her try it on our tree. I'll have her post them if they turn out!

    Deanna

    ReplyDelete
  27. SavoringTime in the KitchenDecember 15, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    Sounds like a great idea, withstanding unwilling photo subjects :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Janettessage.blogspot.comDecember 15, 2011 at 10:18 PM

    Oh how interesting...you are so good at learning new things and sharing them...thanks! Oh our trees look a lot alike we both have the same words on our trees!!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. KathyDecember 15, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    I need to try this new photo trick! Your tea and biscuit looks so good right at this moment.

    ReplyDelete
  30. BarbDecember 15, 2011 at 10:39 PM

    Hi Vee!

    I love that you are so adventurous with the camera!! Who would have thought that a tea strainer would make stars!! I love to try different techniques with photos - I thought yours worked out beautifully!

    I try to stay out of the bakery . . . most of the time.... ;0) There are just some things that I can't resist - I just love glazed doughnuts! Scones, especially cranberry and orange, sound so delightful!

    Hugs,
    Barb

    ReplyDelete
  31. SueDecember 15, 2011 at 10:48 PM

    A scientist you are indeed Vee, thanks for always sharing .
    I can't say enough about the peppermint tea, and the Candy Cane Lane, is even more delicious. Oh how I would love one of your scones.
    Now I must go and see what else you have been doing since I last visited.
    Hugs,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  32. DonnaDecember 15, 2011 at 10:56 PM

    Wow, your hubby sure was giving you a dirty look! LOL, I'm glad that you're having fun experimenting. The shadows you see along the walls are from the sloping sides of the strainer. The openings aren't straight on. There's an easier way to get those twinkling lights. Here's a link. http://www.elizabethhalford.com/2011/12/05/how-to-photograph-your-christmas-tree-how-to-get-twinkle-bursts-of-light/

    If you don't have a tripod, then steady your camera on a chair or table.

    ReplyDelete
  33. DonnaDecember 15, 2011 at 10:58 PM

    I forgot to mention that I love mint tea. Haven't tried the peppermint, but I am sure it is wonderful. We've been hooked on peppermint coffee for several years now, and stock up this time of year so that we can drink it all year long!

    ReplyDelete
  34. NancyDecember 15, 2011 at 11:07 PM

    What a nifty idea for photographing the tree. Must go try it now! Thanks! Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  35. camp and cottage livingDecember 15, 2011 at 11:53 PM

    Well I never......
    heard of using a tea strainer for your photos! It did work. I just love the way I get smarter and smarter from all you other blogger friends!
    I always have peppermint tea on hand-Tentley. Is your brand better?
    I would, however, like that beautiful mug to drink my peppermint tea in. Was it a gift?
    I just bought fresh cranberries to make my favorite orange/cranberry muffins. Blueberry/lemon is new to me. It sure sounds good.
    Sweet dreams to you friend.
    Kimberly

    ReplyDelete
  36. Briana @ Photo BackgroundsDecember 16, 2011 at 3:19 AM

    Nice tips shared. This would be a big help especially for those newbies in photography.

    ReplyDelete
  37. a woman who isDecember 16, 2011 at 4:19 AM

    Well that is the niftiest trick. I am gonna try it and the tea. Yes I am highly suggestible =) Haha I have to make a cup of tea even when I just read about someone having tea in an English novel for crying out loud LOL!

    Now I want those scones too...

    ReplyDelete
  38. Knitting ManiaDecember 16, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    Hello Vee..

    Thanks for your visit. Your tree is gorgeous...and loved catching up on your blog this morning.

    Hey btw...is that a "transferware" plate under your Jesus mug??? My Italian Aunt Rose had tons of that dinnerware back in her day, I think she had the brown and the green...anyway it brought back some childhood memories. :)

    ReplyDelete
  39. Happy@HomeDecember 16, 2011 at 5:35 PM

    I love it when fellow bloggers share their easy, yet clever tips. I am picturing many women currently rummaging around for the tea strainer to give this a try. I know that is what I'm off to do.
    Haven't tried the tea yet either. You are just a wealth of good ideas today.

    ReplyDelete

🕊
If comments disappear, please don't fret. A simple "hi" will do. The platform surely needs some maintenance.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)