Christmas Tree In Our Den
Merry and Bright
Mickey and Minnie stand in front of our main Christmas tree in the den of our house.
Each year, I like to get a photo of our Christmas tree just to save it for posterity. Things end up being just a little different each year, which is fine. So it is nice to look back sometimes and see what all was different each year.
This year, our tree looks pretty much the same as it has. The light-up Mickey with the wreath is to the left, and it has been around for several years, too. Santa Mickey and Minnie move around to different locations sometimes, but they have been in front of our tree before, too.
The biggest difference this year is the wood floor, which we did not have last year. That gives a different look to the photo. I like how it reflects the lights from the trees and the lighted Mickey thing.
I also like the symmetry of the two Christmas tree pictures on the wall. Laura painted the one on the left a couple of years ago, and that makes it special. The one on the right lights up, with swirls of light going around the tree, but I did not turn it on for this photo.
And one touch that I really enjoy is the hand coming in from the left. Over at that side, we have a Snowman Mickey and Snowwoman Minnie. I did not realize when I took the photo that Minnie’s hand was in the frame, but I like how she is trying to make herself known. “Don’t forget about us over here,” she seems to be saying.
Bible Verse
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. - Luke 2:15-16
About the Photo
This year, just for something different, I shot this from a low angle. I used my tripod because of the low light levels, but I did not extend the legs. So the camera was only about 18" off of the floor. I thought it would be fun to have a different perspective for a change.
I shot this in the morning, just before the sun came up. That way, there was a little bit of natural light. Some lamps in the den also contributed some light. But it was still dark enough for a long exposure with a tripod. I wanted to take the photo before it got to be too light, so that you could still see all of the lights on the tree.
A wider angle might have been good to get more of the things on either side of the room, but I did not want the distorted fisheye look for this one. So the things on the side walls will just have to wait.
And in these Christmas tree photos, I always grumble about how the air conditioning vent in the ceiling is not centered in between the windows. Maybe that won’t keep you from enjoying the photo, though.
Photo: A single Raw exposure, processed in Aurora HDR. Read more about photography tips, photo software, camera gear, and more at Steve’s Photography Tips.
Camera: Sony Alpha A7 II
Lens: Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens
Date: December 9, 2020
Location: Home, Williston, Tennessee
