How to get those perfect Christmas Tree Star Light Photos

Who doesnt want the perfect christmas tree photo?  Well here is a quick guide on how to get those "star" light photos.  Hope you enjoy!

Here is what you need:

-camera
-lens
-christmas tree
-tripod (or something steady)
-patience* (This is most important)

Step #1 Set up your tripod

Don’t worry if you don’t have a tripod. You can use any stable item! The most important aspect is a long shutter speed time, hence the tripod. This is our first line of defense against any movement obstructing the pretty starbursts we are aiming to achieve.

Step #2  Set your Baseline Settings

To get the starburst light effect you need to have a high F/stop number which means a slow shutter speed.  Here are some examples of the different settings.  I used ISO 800 as I had no other light source on.  You can do this with additional lights and lower your ISO but the starbursts will be less apparent.

F/22 at ISO 800 is my favorite.  Try your own out and let me know how it works for you!