Living in Old Lyme

The holiday season is right around the corner, and if you’re anything like most people, you’re already anticipating those dazzling light displays that brighten up towns everywhere. In Old Lyme, Connecticut, the streets and local landmarks come alive with festive lighting, offering numerous opportunities for stunning photos. If you want to take pictures that capture the magic of these moments rather than just blurry blobs of color, a bit of planning and the right approach will make all the difference.

Scout Your Locations in Old Lyme

Before you even pick up your camera, take some time to explore Old Lyme in the evenings. Unlike regular landscapes, holiday light displays tend to be concentrated in specific areas, especially around well-known buildings or popular neighborhoods. Keep an eye out for places like the Old Lyme Town Hall or local businesses known for their tasteful festive decorations. These spots often put up thoughtful lighting that’s easier to work with and photograph.

If you have time, drive or walk through different neighborhoods after dark. Look for decorations that use consistent white or yellow lights, as colorful blinking lights can be challenging to capture well. When the lights change color quickly, your camera’s long exposure can blend those colors, making bright white blobs in your photos instead of clear, vivid colors. Sticking to simple, classic lighting gives you a much better chance at sharp, beautiful pictures.

Choose the Right Time to Shoot

Timing your photo session is as important as where you take the shots. The best moment to shoot holiday lights in Old Lyme is during the “blue hour.” This is the period around twilight, just after the sun sets but before the sky turns completely dark. During this time, the sky takes on a deep blue hue that adds a lovely contrast to the warm glow of yellow or white lights.

Shooting at blue hour helps buildings and decorations stand out as more than just dark shapes against a pitch-black background. You’ll get richer colors and better detail in your photos. If you wait until it’s fully dark, your pictures might lose that balance, leaving you with flat or grainy shots. Plan your holiday light photos for about 20 to 30 minutes after sunset to catch that perfect lighting.

Use the Right Equipment and Settings

You don’t need to be a professional to get great holiday light photos, but some gear will help. Start with a camera that lets you adjust settings like shutter speed, ISO, and aperture. A smartphone with manual mode can work too if you know how to use it.

Since light levels are low, you’ll want to use a tripod or set your camera on a steady surface to avoid blurry photos. Slow shutter speeds will let in more light but require the camera to stay perfectly still. Try shutter speeds between 1 and 10 seconds, depending on how bright the scene is.

Keep your ISO as low as possible to reduce grainy noise, but increase it if you need to. A wide aperture (a lower f-number like f/2.8 or f/4) lets in more light but also makes focusing tricky, so adjust carefully. Focus manually on the decorations or buildings to keep the important parts sharp.

Frame Your Shots for Interest

Don’t just snap close-ups of the lights. Look for ways to include Old Lyme’s unique character in your photos. Frame decorations with architectural details from buildings, or include seasonal elements like snow, wreaths, or street lamps. Using leading lines like sidewalks or fences can guide the viewer’s eye through your photo.

Try different angles: shoot from a low angle to make lights look bigger and more impressive, or find a higher viewpoint for sweeping scenes. Walk around your subject and take multiple shots to capture the best mood and composition.

Mind Your White Balance

Holiday lights can sometimes look too blue or too orange, depending on your camera’s white balance settings. Try setting your camera’s white balance to “tungsten” or “incandescent” to correct the color and bring out a more natural look. If you shoot in RAW format, you can adjust white balance later in editing, giving you more flexibility to get the colors right.

Enjoy the Season in Old Lyme

Old Lyme’s holiday spirit shows up beautifully in its light displays every year. With these tips, you’ll be able to take photos that do those displays justice while capturing the charm of this Connecticut town. Whether you’re photographing the well-lit streets or the cozy decorations at local businesses, you’ll find plenty to inspire your creativity.

Capture Memorable Holiday Moments in Old Lyme

The holiday lights of Old Lyme aren’t just decorations—they’re part of what makes the town a place people love to live and visit. By scouting your locations, timing your shots for twilight, and using the right camera settings, you can create striking photos that highlight the festive atmosphere here.

So get your camera ready, plan a stroll around Old Lyme after sunset during the holiday season, and see the town in a new light. Capture the warmth and joy that come with these celebrations and make memories through your lens that last long after the last light goes out.