How Do You Take Christmas Lights

What settings do you use to get good Christmas displays. The two photos are of a neighbors house taken 15 minutes apart. The EXIF info for the top is f2 1/60 sec ISO 200 50 mm, for the bottom f1.8 1/30 sec ISO 200 50 mm.

[Marilyn Wigen]

I like both shots... but I have no settings suggestions for you! :)

[Kerri]

Cool

[Katie]

I would use a narrower aperture and long shutter (tripod) maybe when it was a little darker.

[Netkonnexion]

Cool picture.

[Harry J Benson]

@marilyn Thank you Marilyn, I guess I am trying to capture what my eyes see and our cameras are not as good as our eyes.
@kerristephens Thank you Kerri, I am getting into the Christmas spirit
@archaeofrog Thank you Katie, I will try that
@netkonnexion Thank you Damon, I enjoy going around and recording how people decorate

[bkb in the city]

I like the one on the bottom. It highlights the lights more

[Harry J Benson]

@bkbinthecity Thank you Brian, I do also, but I think I should be able to do better

[Dione Giorgio]

It is difficult to say. The one at the bottom highlights the lights, the top one is more detailed to me.

[Michelle]

I like the bottom one. It has more glow to it.

[karenann]

I love both captures ... and your settings sound really good. Wonderful clarity and colors. Great work!!

[Paula]

"they" always say to get it during the blue hour, but I personally like a little darker to give a bit more mystery to the photo.

[Harry J Benson]

@sangwann Thank you Dione, they both have their good points
@mstipe Thank you Michelle, it highlights the lights more
@karenann Thank you Karen, it is fun trying different ways
@phillyphotos Thank you Paula, "they" are always trying to tell us what to do :)