Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens Sample Pictures

On display annually (at least through 2012) not far from Radio City Music Hall in New York City are these huge Christmas tree lights. Even when it is totally dark out, lights (in general) are bright and do not require the settings you might expect to need at this time of the day.
 
Here, with a wide f/1.4 aperture, I was able to use ISO 100 and still have a 1/200 shutter speed.
 
On another note, pay attention to how the progressive background blur brings the viewer's eye to the foreground lights. Full frame DSLR cameras and wide aperture lenses are a great combination for creating this effect.

When you know where your subject will be, align your shooting position to get a good background for your image. Sometimes, an additional element that you didn't plan on enters the background and elevates your shot to a new level.

This golden retriever has learned that her job is hat cleanup after the sledding runs. Gift giving is this dog's love language – and this job meshes perfectly with her passion.

Shooting in the city is great fun, but the various sign and light poles along the wires that connect them are an obstacle for my preferences. Shooting at night make the non-lit poles and the wires less noticeable – and sometimes easier to remove in post processing.

This little girl is either really happy or she is trying to create a parachute effect with her mouth. Either way, the brightly-colored snow clothes and toys stand out against the white snow background.