View Full Version : Yikes! Thinking of a solo trip just to focus on photography
For quite a while now I have toyed with the idea of going solo to WDW to play with my camera (Olympus e510) and really see what it can do. Oh sure, not exclusively just to sit and debate the ins and outs of raising the ISO vs larger aperture and/or shutter speed. Maybe sneak on a ride or two (yeah right, just a ride or two :lmao:). And I've priced out a package and its very doable. Very tempting. I've gone solo other places, not sure why but Disney feels different.
I guess my question is has anyone done this? A solo photo trip? How long did you go for? (I'm looking at 5 days in the parks).
What to do?!?
Thanks for any/all advice (and if you wanted to send me money so that I can stay at a fancy schmancy resort... just pm me! :laughing: )
Oops... almost forgot. How much trouble would I be in if I cross posted this? I know there's a solo/Adult board, but because of the photo slant I thought I'd post it here first.
MarkBarbieri
03-12-2008, 09:33 PM
I was at a conference last year and stayed over two extra days to go to the park. It was fun.
JR6ooo4
03-12-2008, 09:39 PM
For quite a while now I have toyed with the idea of going solo to WDW to play with my camera (Olympus e510) and really see what it can do. Oh sure, not exclusively just to sit and debate the ins and outs of raising the ISO vs larger aperture and/or shutter speed. Maybe sneak on a ride or two (yeah right, just a ride or two :lmao:). And I've priced out a package and its very doable. Very tempting. I've gone solo other places, not sure why but Disney feels different.
I guess my question is has anyone done this? A solo photo trip? How long did you go for? (I'm looking at 5 days in the parks).
What to do?!?
Thanks for any/all advice (and if you wanted to send me money so that I can stay at a fancy schmancy resort... just pm me! :laughing: )
Oops... almost forgot. How much trouble would I be in if I cross posted this? I know there's a solo/Adult board, but because of the photo slant I thought I'd post it here first.
Is cross posting a DIS sin? I guess I need to re-read the rules.
But, back on topic. I had the luxury of a half photo only trip. DW was teaching two high school choirs and they went to WDW last year during spring break. I showed up to take pictures of their performances, video and still pics. Before and after I had hours and hours on my own.
It is really nice. I always feel like I am holding up whomever I am with, when I would stop and take a half hour for a picture of the castle.
But then then my wife said she was so happy to find that I did not mind her running off and doing a few rides without me. (I don't go on anything with mountain in the name, and a few others).
But I am pretty sure I would go crazy being alone for five days. Hehehehehee
Mikeeee
boBQuincy
03-12-2008, 10:04 PM
Yep, I enjoy my solo photo WDW trips. They are different from other trips, if I want to wait for a few monorails to go by so I can try different exposure settings it's ok. It's not so ok on family trips! ;)
There's the luxury of stopping to change lenses multiple times, wait for certain lighting, etc.
Take lots of memory cards, a tripod, lenses... go for it!
Groucho
03-12-2008, 10:45 PM
I did one or two solo trips maybe 10+ years ago, with my K1000, but they weren't really photo-centric trips. I have had a little "alone time" in the last trip or two but those were really the exception.
I did think about a solo trip in January when my wife went on a cruise with her girlfriends but just didn't have enough vacation time. She has said that I can take a trip on my own some time if I want. Maybe I should get myself an annual pass and keep an eye out for a cheap airfare............ hmm!
On our upcoming trip, I'm the only one getting a park hopper pass, so two nights, I'll head to one of the parks late (MK one night and Epcot another) for maybe 3-4 hours pretty much mainly doing photography.
A whole trip solo could be kind of lonely, though, but at least you have your camera, so you're not truly alone. :teeth:
NostalgicDad
03-12-2008, 10:53 PM
Toy with the idea no more......you must do it! I had a free day on a business trip to LA and I wasted no time getting to DL when it opened and closed it down to boot. I love my family trips to Disney more than anything else but I would be lying if I said I didn't have a blast going solo. Oh, I managed to ride Soarin' once but that was it. I didn't have time to mess around with silly stuff like rides! I actually wish I could have had more time than just one day. Don't forget the tripod and enjoy!
Pea-n-Me
03-12-2008, 11:59 PM
I would be jealous. ;) But I would love to see your E-510 pictures! I say go! :thumbsup2
I don't go on anything with mountain in the name, and a few others.
Mikeeee, I'm shocked! No Mountains? Not even Splash? :rotfl:
Master Mason
03-13-2008, 12:50 AM
I have spent many days at DL myself with my camera. I have been to WDW twice and of the 8 days in the parks I have only been with the person I was traveling for 1 of those days. I have a couple of pictures from those days :)
barrie
03-13-2008, 02:35 AM
I've done several solo photo trips in the past couple of years and I love them. Can't wait for the next one.
I like taking night shots so I usually stay past closing in whichever park is open the latest each night. Because I'm up so late I get a late start in the am, usually around 10am. Then take a quick break in the late afternoon and head out with my tripod just before sunset.
I rarely ride rides when I am shooting but have been known to go all the way through a que just to take photos. I do always enjoy myself and take time to visit with other guests. I almost always hook up with a few folks from here or Tagrel or AllEars.
Those trips are usually 5 day trips, Sunday - Friday. I fill 5-7 GB per day and am taking photos pretty much the whole time. At night I upload them to my computer and maybe process a few and post them on flickr. It's usually around 3am when I finally go to bed.
It's not a schedule that works when I am travelling with anyone else. As much as I love going to WDW with friends and family, I am hooked on solo photo trips. One of these days I'd love to spend about 3 weeks there solo so I could really shoot everything I want at a slower pace.
So, yes, do it!
Is it "safe" to go on solo photography trips to Disneyworld?
In the UK, anyone who was solo - but especially a male - and taking lots of photos somewhere that there were so many children around would risk being met with some considerable suspicion. From all I see from the US, the level of child-related hysteria is at least as high as the UK, possibly even more so.
regards,
/alan
jjpenguin
03-13-2008, 09:26 AM
I've done a couple of solo trips to WDW and spend lots of time on photography... it's so much easier and more relaxed than when you have to keep saying 'wait a minute'
also you don't have anybody acting embarrassed when you lie on the floor for that unique perspective ;)
handicap18
03-13-2008, 09:37 AM
I haven't done a completely solo trip, but 2 years ago DW & I went without the kids and since at the time she was 6 months pregnant and it was HOT we did a lot of stuff seperately which left me a lot of solo time to just take pictures.
I certainly would go down by myself for a few days just to take pictures. That would be great.
alan, its perfectly fine. Its not like your walking around an elementary school as one of a few adults and the only one with a camera. Just about every other person walking around Disney has a camera and who's to say that your all alone on the trip. If you stop to take a picture of the castle and 10 kids walk behind you, no one's going to think twice. Now if you consistantly walk around and point your camera in the direction of children, and not the same children, then people will ask questions. But, if your solo, your not going to want to be taking pictures of people, so your camera will be pointing towards anything but people.
Maude4Disney
03-13-2008, 09:58 AM
I say go for it! I have been toying with the idea myself, but my DB and SIL just invited DH and I to go with them for the F&WF. DH isn't sure he can go, so I will be tagging along as the 3rd wheel. Definitely going to take some time off from that position and go do the photo thing!
alan, its perfectly fine.
Good.
I am always very careful on this front after being asked to remove photos of a stage show from the web because some of the participants in it were under 18. Given that I had agreed that the pictures would be placed online with the company before I took them, and that the age of consent in Scotland is 18, and - for goodness sake - they were taken at (a dress rehearsal of) a publicly-accessible show, I felt hard done by. But it made me realise that it's better to be safe than sorry...
regards,
/alan
NostalgicDad
03-13-2008, 01:08 PM
Good.
I am always very careful on this front after being asked to remove photos of a stage show from the web because some of the participants in it were under 18. Given that I had agreed that the pictures would be placed online with the company before I took them, and that the age of consent in Scotland is 18, and - for goodness sake - they were taken at (a dress rehearsal of) a publicly-accessible show, I felt hard done by. But it made me realise that it's better to be safe than sorry...
regards,
/alan
As handicap18 mentioned it's perfectly fine. However, I must mention that one time I was with my family and we all rode Autopia. Of course we were split up in different cars and I was done before the rest of them (I drive faster ;) ). As I was standing on the overpass on the exit I was taking shots of my wife and daughter with my 70-300VR. A lady with her husband walked up to me and asked "what the heck are you taking a picture of?". It was with that inquisitive tone that implied I hadn't ought to be doing that. I calmly said, "uh, my wife and kid". She simply said "oh" and walked away. I was really annoyed by that but luckily I didn't say any more than I did.
I say go for it as well. I would not worry about the kid thing too much- not like people taking pictures around WDW is anything unusual. I am thinking about going for a solo day or two trip this summer- as the wife and girls have some activities planned without me. ;)
MarkBarbieri
03-13-2008, 02:11 PM
When I was at Disney without the family and was taking pictures, I was stopped and questioned by security a couple of times. Nothing harsh, they just had questions. I don't think it was because I was by myself though; I suspect that it was more of a concern about my appearance.
Master Mason
03-13-2008, 02:22 PM
When I was at Disney without the family and was taking pictures, I was stopped and questioned by security a couple of times. Nothing harsh, they just had questions. I don't think it was because I was by myself though; I suspect that it was more of a concern about my appearance.
Yea I saw the picture, I think they were more worried about you being a suicide bomber than taking pictures.
Kimberly Hill
03-13-2008, 03:23 PM
This is an occasion where I think it helps to be a female photographer. People look less askance at a woman (possibly) photographing children and a man doing the same.
DH and I are going in September and I'm going to take my pro gear instead of the point 'n shoot we're bringing for the family trip. He's interested in photography as well so I think it'll be a fun project for us since we're leaving the kids at home.
barrie
03-13-2008, 03:48 PM
This is an occasion where I think it helps to be a female photographer. People look less askance at a woman (possibly) photographing children and a man doing the same.
Not always - I've been stopped by parents when taking photos in a park and I wasn't even pointed towards any kids. I think they saw the camera with the big lens and got nervous. But I've never had anyone at Disney World say anything. Of course, walking around with Mark is good cover!
First off, thanks so much for all the input. I had no idea so many people had felt the solo photo urge!
Now I just have to see if I really really REALLY want to do this! Will keep everyone posted!
Again, thanks!
Groucho
03-13-2008, 11:08 PM
When I was at Disney without the family and was taking pictures, I was stopped and questioned by security a couple of times. Nothing harsh, they just had questions. I don't think it was because I was by myself though; I suspect that it was more of a concern about my appearance.
Based on that photo we saw, you'd probably be questioned by security anywhere you went! :teeth:
"Uhhh, sir... you're not carrying a Space Mountain ride vehicle in that pouch on your belt, are you?" :lmao:
I still think it'd be fun to bring in a large-format camera some day, which'd surely get some questions, but I doubt it'll ever happen (with me, at least).
Well, ladies and gentlemen... its a done deal! Glad I waited a day because for some strange reason my airfare went down ten bucks! :cool1:
Another question, where are some of your favorite out-of-the-way places to shoot at? Not necessarily super-top-secret locales, just places where a person might not think to go?
Good for you-
One of my favorite places to shoot are the walking trails at AK- in Africa and Asia. Another thought- if you are staaying at a Disney resort- is to take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours. That may give you a less crowded or different perspective on one of the parks.
matthew_hull
03-16-2008, 01:28 AM
You might also consider taking a cab over to Gatorland. They have a bird sanctuary (breeding marsh) in the back that engrossed me for an entire day. See http://www.gatorland.com (but don't judge your expected results from their photo gallery -- I'm sure you can do much better).
For anyone interested... http://www.pbase.com/hull_m/florida_06
JR6ooo4
03-16-2008, 02:19 AM
If you make a reservation for an early breakfast at crystal palace in the magic kingdom, you can get in the park before it opens and take a few pictures down main street on your way to the restaurant. It is a good time to get shots with no people in them.
And it is nice morning light.
Mikeeee
DVC Jen
03-16-2008, 11:04 AM
I am so envious. Have a fantastic time.
The closest I think I will ever get is when my family wants to do Disney Quest and I get to roam around DTD by myself taking photos while they are designing their own roller coaster. Oh well - I will take what I can get. ;)
senecabeach
03-20-2008, 06:02 AM
Yep, I enjoy my solo photo WDW trips. They are different from other trips, if I want to wait for a few monorails to go by so I can try different exposure settings it's ok. It's not so ok on family trips! ;)
There's the luxury of stopping to change lenses multiple times, wait for certain lighting, etc.
Take lots of memory cards, a tripod, lenses... go for it!
ITA !! :yay:
Absolutely look forward to my solo trip. I take one every year and usually around the F&GF because the park is soooo pretty...
Once you try it..you'll be hooked...and probably extend days in the future.
Go for it !!:thumbsup2
Ya Hoo ...You did it !!!!
Groucho
03-20-2008, 10:35 PM
My wife did a girls-only cruise in January... and has said that I can take a trip without her one of these days if I want.
But she did say, "don't you dare go to Disney World without me." :lmao: So I guess no solo trips for me for a while. :teeth:
jann1033
03-21-2008, 10:55 AM
i had a difficult time( ie guilt) going without the grown kids much less without my hub..now if they'd just put hammocks in the parks i could leave him for a nap and shoot for an hr or two:rotfl2: actually i might do that at the resort next time.( he'd flip if i went to a park by myself, i think he imagines me wandering around lost and penniless;) :confused3 i don't know what he thought i did before we got married:rotfl: )
Miller1412
03-21-2008, 12:49 PM
i had a difficult time( ie guilt) going without the grown kids much less without my hub..now if they'd just put hammocks in the parks i could leave him for a nap and shoot for an hr or two:rotfl2: actually i might do that at the resort next time.( he'd flip if i went to a park by myself, i think he imagines me wandering around lost and penniless;) :confused3 i don't know what he thought i did before we got married:rotfl: )
LOL...I just left my DH in Germany drinking beer and downing bratwurst. He had his fun, and I got in an hour and 1/2 of photo time by myself.
Groucho
03-21-2008, 10:21 PM
i had a difficult time( ie guilt) going without the grown kids much less without my hub..now if they'd just put hammocks in the parks i could leave him for a nap and shoot for an hr or two:rotfl2: actually i might do that at the resort next time.( he'd flip if i went to a park by myself, i think he imagines me wandering around lost and penniless;) :confused3 i don't know what he thought i did before we got married:rotfl: )
Ummm... probably thought that you were wandering around lost and penniless!
Good thing you "rescued" you, eh? :teeth: Men are so considerate. ;)
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