The San Antonio Christmas Tree Project

[Toby]

Here's something that I hope to maybe get others involved in something fun for the holidays.

In the spirit of A Charlie Brown Christmas, I am taking a simple little tree (artificial of course) around to many popular San Antonio area locales and imaging it.

Check back daily as new photos will be posted throughout the Holiday Season. Hopefully you too have a sad little tree that you can do the same with.

Please share with as many people that you know who may enjoy this throughout the holidays.

san_antonio_christmas_tree_project Photo Gallery by Bryan Tobias at pbase.com

Thanks for reading!

[3n-Out]

Neat little concept there.

[Toby]

Thanks! Tonights theme with the tree is "The ISS and Shuttle Atlantis"

Let's see how lucky I get!

[Skele]

I bookmarked it. Looking forward to seeing what else you do with it!

[Toby]

IF anyone is interested in joining me for any one shoot, just PM me and I will let you know where I will be next. I don't mind tagalongs. Heck if it gets you out to shoot, then by all means!

[Toby]

Tonight's image of the ISS, Shuttle Atlantis and the tree have been posted as shot from McAllister Park tonight. Enjoy!

[Toby]

From Thanksgiving Night

[Patti Edens]

Great idea! And you have some remarkable shots. The ISS one came out great! Any plans to do a star trail shoot?

I've never bought a fake Christmas tree. Where do you get one with battery operated lights?

[Toby]

Yes a star trail is in the works. I do a great deal of astrophotography already so I am trying to inspire imaging for myself in a different direction. That is why I challenged myself to this project.

The Christmas tree setup is quite simple. It's a $30 5 foot simple model I bought at Home Depot specifically for this project. So it normally plugs into a standard 110v outlet. I connect it to a small 400 power inverter that I have for work out in the field, and that is connected to a small 9 amp/hour fire detection battery that I lug around for power. It's quite simple with no modifications. I'll take a photo of it next time I head out.

When this arrangement shows up in a photo, I naturally clone it out using photoshop. It's as easy as that.

[Patti Edens]

Ah, thanks for the info Bryan. I was wondering how you lit it up in all those out of the way places.

Look forward to seeing more. I have your website saved as a favorite.

[laanba]

What a fun project. I love the one at the mission, but my geek heart is in tune with the ISS shot.

[Toby]

Thanks! The ISS shot took some planning to do and in the end it made me better at planning things like this. In another life I am an astronomer, so it all came together nicely.

I am glad that others are appreciating the photos. I'm not taking this too seriously. Trying to hone composition and exposure and having fun as well. It's going to rain these next few days so I may not get out for a few nights. I have a few that I haven't posted yet. I hope to post them while it's raining.

If anyone else has ideas and wants to take some of their own please let me know! You're welcome to come along.

[Toby]

The funny thing about this whole Christmas tree project is the people that are coming right up and taking a picture next to it. This is one of my test shots I took while down on Houston street and down a little ways. These people weren't aware of me and just started taking photos of their own. Where else are you going to find a tree like that at a VIA bus stop?

[3n-Out]

How funny! I can only imagine.

[Toby]

Time to head out again while the weather is good....