The Burnses and the Clauses in 2019
Family Photo with Santa Claus
We got to spend a little time with Santa and Mrs. Claus recently. And of course we had to take a photo to make it official.
But Santa Claus sometimes comes to town early, which is nice, too. For the past few years, we have gotten to be the photographers for an event with Santa. They are always a joy to be with, even on nights like this one where we did not get to spend that much time with them.
Jaylin might not always be quite the most willing participant for a family photo with Santa Claus, but he knows where the Christmas presents come from, so he joins in with us.
Remember the days when Jaylin could still sit on Santa’s lap? Where have those days gone? Santa might rather sit on Jaylin’s lap now because they are about the same height.
Too Soon?
Yes, it is still a little early for Christmas. Or maybe not, depending on who you talk to. We generally like to wait until the Thanksgiving weekend to start taking Christmas seriously. I know some people have had up their Christmas decorations for a few weeks now, and that is just fine. I know some people have been listening to Christmas music since Halloween ended. Maybe even before.
I don’t think anything bad about you at all if that is you. Do what makes you happy. If you want to do Christmas stuff all year long, go right ahead. I might not agree with you, but I’m not going to fight you about it.
The world would be a much better place if people would not always go sticking their noses into other people’s business. Especially if other people’s business is not Biblically, morally, or legally wrong. If you don’t like what someone else is doing, move along. It will be okay.
I might be saying all of that again in mid-January when our Christmas stuff is still up, by the way.
Bible Verse
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. - Romans 12:18
About the Photo
I have found for events such as this one that what works best for me is to set my camera in manual mode and leave it that way. I get the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed set, along with the flash, and then I don’t have to change anything. It makes it quicker because the camera does not have to take a moment to figure that out each time, although these days that does not take cameras long at all.
That way, you just have to check your composition and focus, and you are good. Nice and easy. That’s the way I like it.
And yes, I did hand my camera over to someone, our friend Courtney, to take this photo. But once again, all she had to do was push the shutter button, since everything else was set.
Photo: A single Raw exposure, processed in Photoshop. 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: November 16, 2019
Location: Bartlett Woods Church of Christ, Bartlett, Tennessee
