When you take photos of your subjects in front of a Christmas tree with your camera set to the “Auto” mode, the ambient light, and in particular the Christmas tree lights, never really get a chance to register on the camera’s sensor.
![A good balance between ambient light and flash](https://cdn1.photoblogstop.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/PBS_DFX6802_2048x1363_Q40__-1140x759.jpg)
When you take photos of your subjects in front of a Christmas tree with your camera set to the “Auto” mode, the ambient light, and in particular the Christmas tree lights, never really get a chance to register on the camera’s sensor.