Living so close to Blackpool, it’s surprising that I so often miss the annual Illuminations. So I set off to capture a few shots there before the season ends and the resort goes into ‘hibernation’…

Don’t be late and miss the lights!

Getting some great shots of the illuminations isn’t too difficult, but requires a bit of thought, advance planning, careful consideration of camera settings and the right weather conditions.

I like to alternate between ‘views’ that illustrate the scene and tighter shots that have impact, as well as keeping an eye out for something different.

Go for colour and simplicity.

The tableaux at the northern end of the display is a great place to start snapping. Some of the displays move, so bare that in mind and consider a shutter speed fast enough that you don’t get motion blur.

Look out for reflections.

Zooming in on one character or part of a display is a good way to avoid clutter that can make a shot look too ‘busy‘. Experiment with exposure settings and be prepared to under-expose by a stop or so, so you capture highlight detail and don’t dilute colours. Bright light surrounded by dark sky may confuse the camera’s internal light meter.

Reflections are great if there are puddles or wet roads around, but beware if there are ripples distorting the reflection, unless you are trying to be creative! Maybe even reflections in windows?

The selfie is a must!

Don’t forget a selfie! Using a tripod is wise. Use a slower shutter speed with flash to light you and correctly expose the background; a night-time portrait setting on a compact camera will usually do the trick. Plus, ensure the camera is focusing on you/your subjects rather than the background. You will probably need to have several goes and use a self-timer, especially if it’s yourself you are snapping.

The Golden Mile.

For a wide shot, look for a nice sweep of the Prom and a good concentration of displays. Include the famous Tower or one of the piers or an illuminated tram as a focal point. Be patient and use a tripod. Avoid people and cars, unless you want them to feature in your shot. Time your shot carefully as the tower’s lights change quickly. Beware of wind as the displays may move and it will be impossible to keep the camera completely steady on longer exposures.

Something striking.

Lights plus the tower with a powerful telephoto lens to compact the displays can give great shots. Maybe try a quirky angle to add ‘drama’. The more the zoom = the more critical is any movement/vibration.

Unlike with my shots, dusk may be better time, when there still a little light and colour in the sky and the pressure is off a bit for lengthy exposures.

Central Pier’s Big Wheel.

With a very long exposure, the Big Wheel on Central Pier looks very interesting, even better if light is reflected in the sea below.

I hope you have enjoyed my brief look at Blackpool Illuminations. They finish on 8th November, so there’s still time to get down there!

More Photographer’s Ramblings coming soon!…