Using Filters
Around Christmas time beautiful lights decorate every corner. Just looking at the lights brings out that special Christmas spirit. Even if you can get a pretty picture of the lights, you may think in retrospect that something is missing. Of course, a picture doesn't have to be limited to just depicting the original scene. Try taking pictures using special effect filters.

Taking pictures of decorative lights using special effect filters
Filters are usually designed to be attached to the front of the lens so you cannot use them this way with most compact digital cameras. However, you can get the same effect of the filter simply by holding it over the lens. When you shoot decorative lights with a cross filter or a soft focus filter, you can get a picture with a dreamlike, ethereal effect.

Compare the difference of using a cross filter

Compare the difference of using a soft-focus filter

Useful things to remember

Many types of special effect filters, most of them designed for use with SLR cameras, are commercially available. You can use them with compact digital cameras as well, checking the effect on the monitor. So why not try using special effect filters when you feel like taking a picture with a special feel to it. Open "Useful Tips - Let's try using Special Effect Filters"
You can take pictures of night scenes without using slow shutter speeds by increasing the ISO sensitivity, but the picture may seem grainier due to image noise. With the [NIGHT SCENE] mode, lower ISO sensitivities are used even in dark places so you can get better quality pictures of night scenes. Open "Useful Tips: ISO sensitivity, tripods, noise and picture quality"