Image: Daniel Tran

If you’ve decided to battle the cold weather and thousands of people to check out Sydney's Vivid festival, good on you! We’re here to help you make the most of it and get the best possible photos. Simply follow these steps and you’ll go home with a grin on your face and a tonne of photos to share with your friends.

Steady Yourself with a Tripod

The key to the perfect photo of Vivid’s light show is a steady camera. We suggest you invest in a tall tripod and get in super early or super late (if you're staying at Rendezvous The Rocks Sydney and can wander down at leisure) to secure your spot on the banks of Sydney Harbour.

Don't be Afraid to Adjust your Aperture

You've got your digital SLR at the ready and have it steady on the tripod... now all that's left is to narrow your depth of field to capture the stunning details of the lights. Insider tip: Somewhere between f/11 and f/22 will create a vibrant starburst effect.

Shutter Speed Matters

If your aim is to get super sharp images, then make sure you use a fast shutter speed on your camera. For those who are feeling confident and creative and want to capture the elegant movement of the boats on the harbour, be sure to slow your shutter speed to 10 seconds or more.

Top Spots = Top Shots

The city will be jam-packed with people wanting to get a good view of the lights... and that's ok. If you're there for the night, be patient and take your time to capture it all. If you're sleeping over in the city, then why not walk the streets during the day to work out the best possible vantage points.

Don't Forget to Have Fun!

Photography is about having fun and being creative. Experiment and test different shots by adjusting your shutter speed and increasing your ISO. And if you want to be super prepared, so you can feel more relaxed on the day, take a wander through Google... you'll soon see when the top spots for top shots are!

Sleep Overs in Sydney

With 24 hotels scattered throughout the greater CBD and fringe, TFE has a hotel to suit your taste and budget. Check us out!

**Peace of mind when you stay with us. Introducing Clean Touch. Note: Some activities listed may be affected by Covid restrictions.