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Fairy Lights

I thought it would be interesting to show you what a Christmas light bulb looks like so I grabbed my camera and macro lens and captures this image from one of our Christmas light stings. The technology used in Christmas lighting displays is highly diverse, ranging from simple light strands through complex illuminated animatronics and statues. In the United Kingdom, electrically powered Christmas lights are generally known as fairy lights.

Christmas lights using incandescent bulbs are somewhat notorious for being difficult to troubleshoot and repair. In the 1950s and 1960s, the series circuit connected light sets would go completely dark when a single bulb failed. So in the fairly recent past, the mini-lights have come with shunts to allow a set to continue to operate with a burned out bulb. However, if there are multiple bulb failures or a shunt is bad, the string can still fail. I recall many frustrating hours troubleshooting these lights on strings, wreaths and lighted Christmas trees.

Bulb
Christmas Lights on Christmas Eve

This image was taken with my Sony a7R using my Sony FE 90mm F2.8 Macro Lens. The camera was set on Aperture priority mode with the aperture set at f/5.6, shutter speed at 2.5 seconds and the ISO set at 100.

This image is best when viewed large. Click on the image to enlarge it. Please use the section below to post your comments, questions or suggestions.

T Kahler Signature
© 2015 T. Kahler Photography

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