1st Trip to WDW with DSLR

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

After 8 months with a DSLR and almost a year of learning the fundamentals of photography, my family (DW, DD14, DD8) and I spent 10 glorious days at WDW for our family vacation. I mention this because it was a family vacation not strictly a photography trip so a lot of my shots were snapshots. I did get a few decent shots but nothing fancy. This is only our second trip to WDW with our last one being a 4 day commando raid on each of the parks. I thought that 10 days would be enough this time but there were many things that we did not get to. We stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort where we stayed before and enjoyed it (pictures later on in the week). We had the DxDP because we like to eat, so we got to sample several restaurants which was one of my most fruitful photography sources. Weather was hot and humid but only rained a few times and did not slow us down that much. On our last trip we avoided any ride that we have here at Disneyland and rode the ones unique to WDW. This time we did as many rides as we could to compare them to DL and I will comment as to the differences especially the lighting of indoor rides.

What I took:
Nikon D90 with MB-D80 battery pack
SB 600 Flash
Nikkor 18-105 (had this on most of the time)
Nikkor 70-300 (only used it at AK)
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 (had the most fun with and always had with me)
Nothing fancy tripod that I took on select evenings but did not use as much as I wanted
ML-L3 wireless shutter release

So lets get started. Trip from LA to Orlando.

LAX is a busy airport. :scared1: Overcast and cool, soon to change.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/627658955_j73K5-L.jpg

Taking off from Phoenix I tried to get a shot that would depict our speed but did not come out as well as I wanted. 1/50 f/32 ISO 200
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/627659066_ed6vz-L.jpg

We landed 15 mins early but were stuck on the tarmac in Orlando due to a thunderstorm for almost an hour. We wound up getting to CBR about 10pm but was ready for this sign on the bus. 1/25 f/1.4 ISO 3200
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/627659256_h29Kr-L.jpg

[raysnkaysmom]

I'm new to this board...but I hope this is me next year...so I'm anxious to see your pics :)

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

I thought that it would be a good idea to get over the time change on the first day so we had a 8:05am reservation at Tusker House the first morning. Well it sounded good on paper but the family was not to happy with me that day. It was fun to walk through the park before opening but surprised at how many people had the same idea.

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Tower outside of Tusker House.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/627666571_pWirF-L.jpg

We were the first to be seated in our section. 1/25 f/4.5 ISO 1600
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/627667667_qxNbB-L.jpg

After breakfast we were able to hop on the Safari ride with minimal wait.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/627671764_svRbb-L.jpg

The ride itself was not very productive as many of the animals were already seeking shade.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/627672024_dCf7N-L.jpg

Even the bats were cooling themselves by the time we got to them.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/627677871_mYyx2-L.jpg

My girls really enjoyed the dance show in Africa.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/627679616_LyjfD-L.jpg

I already posted my gorilla shot on the Nikon thread. Here is one of one sleeping.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/627681685_CuP7b-L.jpg

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

We were welcomed to Florida with our first thunderstorm as we arrived at Epcot for dinner. We ducked quickly into the Seas.
1/250 f/2 ISO 720
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/627754944_666o4-L.jpg

While waiting for our table, chefs at Tokyo.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/627756003_gJo4w-L.jpg

The infamous onion volcano.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/627760062_tcbA6-L.jpg

At the end of the meal.
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Who would have thought I would like Chocolate Ginger cake.
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The girls had to stop by France on the way home at the Perfume shop.
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[KarenAylwood]

Awesome shots!! My fav is the onion volcano :thumbsup2

Did you use your Sigma 30mm f/1.4 for most of the indoor shots?? I'm bringing mine with me for the first time next month and can't wait to use it!

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

Awesome shots!! My fav is the onion volcano :thumbsup2

Did you use your Sigma 30mm f/1.4 for most of the indoor shots?? I'm bringing mine with me for the first time next month and can't wait to use it!

Thank you Karen. Yes all of the indoor shots are with the 30mm except the shot inside Tusker house. You will have a lot of fun with the Sigma. :thumbsup2

[annnewjerz]

So glad to see you started your TR, Roger! :hyper:

Really looking forward to seeing what you pulled off with the D90 since I will be going for my first trip with a dSLR, my D90, in only 50(ish) days! :woohoo:

Can't wait to see more,
Ann

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

Ann, between Tom and my report you should be able to get a good idea of what the D90 can do. I really wish that I could have had a UWA lens for the trip but I could not swing it. Will have to save that for next time.

Day 2 we spent the day at Epcot.

1/25 f/5.6 ISO 1600 18mm
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/627902500_pxxXf-L.jpg

1/40 f/1.4 ISO 2000 30mm
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/627905084_sKnQC-L.jpg

This looked so peaceful and for once it was not blaring sun or completely overcast.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/627908241_2qcAJ-L.jpg

We had lunch in Germany which was a lot of fun. 1/60 f/5.3 ISO 1000
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/627917668_5BY85-L.jpg

After having dinner at Coral Reef we headed around the world. 1/100 f/3.5 ISO 200
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/628014512_UyP5B-L.jpg

We made as far as Morocco again. Seemed like we could never make it past Morocco at night. Although I had my tripod with me I took this with out it. 1/25 f/3.8 ISO 3200.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/628019229_wXS4b-L.jpg

With the tripod. 4sec f/10 ISO 200
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/628019672_7C4f8-L.jpg

My first time seeing Illuminations was from a terrible spot in Morocco under a tree. Since I have never seen the show I thought I would just practice on the fireworks. 3sec f/11 ISO 200
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/628020750_9EdHj-L.jpg

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

Next day we had 8:20 ressies at Crystal Palace. We had to wait 45 mins for a bus and wound up being late for our appointed time. I was really hoping to be there right at 8am to have a somewhat empty Main Street. Oh well.

1/125 f/10 ISO 200
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/628376076_ri3wV-L.jpg

People kept giving me strange looks with my Gary Fong attached to the flash. Everyone wanted to know what the toilet bowl was suppose to be. :rotfl2:
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/628379281_yCEwP-L.jpg

Next we went on IASW. I have never been on the one at WDW before and it was a weird experence. I have been on the one that is at DL since 1964 when it was at the NY worlds fair and it just seemed strange. Your canal is a lot wider than ours (same with pirates) and everything is so spaced out. Also the music is much different. Your lighting seemed to be much better than ours though as I never have enough speed for the Italian boy. 1/60 f/1.4 3200.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/628385314_aDS4X-L.jpg

Haunted Mansion was next and I have to say I like yours a lot better but the lighting in most places is much lower than ours. Here is my terrible shot of the caretaker just for reference. At home ours is much better lite.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/628391419_hxQ9V-M.jpg

There was one shot that is much easier than at DL. I can never get this shot at home. 1/30 f/1.4 3200.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/628391484_67ouX-L.jpg

Next we went on POTC. Yours is so much different from ours. Lighting over all is a little better but as mentioned the canal is wider so you are shooting from a greater distance. This shot is one that I could never get at home. 1/60 f/1.4 2200
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/628395112_aGAce-L.jpg

and this one I would have shot even faster if I had noticed the ISO. Also on ours CJS only sticks his head out every so often. 1/60 f/1.4 1000
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/628395463_BCJd2-L.jpg

at ours CJS is sitting right next to the boat, your feels like he is sitting a mile away. 1/40 f/1.4 3200
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/628397180_na3sj-L.jpg

[handicap18]

Excellent work. Keep the pictures coming.

[Pea-n-Me]

Lookin good, GotHS! :goodvibes Really like the gorilla hands shot.

[oregondaddyof2]

I am liking these photos... Keep em coming :thumbsup2

[Todd_H]

Great shots, Roger! Looks like you guys had a great time. Looking forward to seeing more!

[disneygirlinnj]

beautiful photos!! :)

[YesDear]

Great shots. It is nice to hear a comparison between the parks!

Enjoy!

[DisneySuiteFreak]

People kept giving me strange looks with my Gary Fong attached to the flash. Everyone wanted to know what the toilet bowl was suppose to be. :rotfl2:

Nice shot Roger. I really like the look of that flash diffuser. Which Gary Fong are you using? I assumed it was the lightspere, but noticed they have a ton of different ones, some clear, some white, some they call the cloud lightsphere, one they call the Universal Sytem cloud, etc. Which one do you use?

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

Nice shot Roger. I really like the look of that flash diffuser. Which Gary Fong are you using? I assumed it was the lightspere, but noticed they have a ton of different ones, some clear, some white, some they call the cloud lightsphere, one they call the Universal Sytem cloud, etc. Which one do you use?

I have the cloud lightsphere with an additional amber dome which I have not used that much.

[Evad]

Very nice Roger!! Keep the pics coming!! :thumbsup2

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

Thank for the kind comments everyone. Sorry had to go back to work and have not had time to continue. So here we go with day 4 @ HS.

We did not make to the GMR the last time we were there and looked forward to it this trip. I treated it like any other dark ride and the light was pretty good. But vehicle speed added a challenge that POTC or HM don't. Again with the Sig 30 f/1.4.
1/60 f/2 1100
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/628879541_8HqmS-L.jpg

1/60 f/1.4 2200
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/628880136_6Rpbs-L.jpg

1/60 f/1.4 600
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/628882013_nQzTM-L.jpg

We next when on the Backlot tour which the kids love.
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This is the part that they really love. Not remembering how close the water came I sat on the far side of the vehicle.
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This is one was inspired by Mark so I had DD8 take it of me.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/628886853_64nGb-L.jpg

Both of my girls are hams and when DD14 was posing, I noticed that DD8 had creeper into the picture.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/628888433_gEHFV-L.jpg

We when to Sci-Fi for lunch, another first and these speakers use to be a great fascination for me when I was a kid.
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The wilderness must be explored!
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Unfortunately we had dinner with a large group at Prime-Time Diner so I did not take my tripod this night which I should have so I had to settle for this shot of DD.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/629347442_Yuk5H-L.jpg

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

Well something I ate at Sci-Fi or Prime Time was tainted and I spent the night praying to porcelain god. We planned on going to BB the next day but I stayed at home to catch up on some sleep. Sorry that I missed the water park but I wondered around CBR while mousekeeping cleaned the room. It was already 10am and it was bright so I did not not expect much. Later in the week I went out before sunrise to get some better shots.

http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/629527577_EUMcu-L.jpg

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The girls came back and I was feeling better so we headed to Epcot for our groups Grand Gathering that night. On the way we stopped by the Cool Club. I had read that the one from Italy was kind of nasty and was ready.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/629840325_4pyuV-L.jpg

After our dinner at the Odyssey were taken over to a prime spot for Illuminations. I had only seen the show once before so I was hoping to make the most of it. I grabbed a good spot but I may have been too close. They did come out as good as I had planned because of the bright light from the fireballs.
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more tomorrow.....

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I have the cloud lightsphere with an additional amber dome which I have not used that much.

Nice! I really like how it looks warmer and not so flash-like.
Loved the Illuminations photos too!

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

We slept in the next morning and by the time we got to Epcot the lines were very long (Free Dining started). We we headed to Ellen's Energy Adventure. While waiting out side I decided that it was time for me to take a self-portrait.

http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/630011485_e8hTn-L.jpg

I was only able to a couple of shots that came out decent.
1/20 f/1.4 3200
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/630012072_6A4cf-L.jpg

We started making our way around world showcase and stopped in China to see the 360 movie. This sign reinforced that I needed to take more pictures.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/630012854_LubuF-L.jpg

Still had the 30mm on so I took some more pictures of the Tomb Guards.
1/60 f/1.4 2500
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/630013944_BXwmA-L.jpg

We had lunch at Marrakesh Restaurant which was a great experience that the kids loved. The lighting has given me fits on trying to get the WB correct. Still not happy with it.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/630019324_4qgvk-L.jpg

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On the way out everyone had to try on the Fez.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/630024437_z95kg-L.jpg

We were in search of our Kimmunicator for KP mission so we took the boat which gave some very different looks at WS.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/630026686_YwoED-L.jpg

The girls using the secret camera in France that was actually a laser gun to shoot at the Eiffel Tower.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/630032010_EaJPn-L.jpg

We had a large group dinner this night at Ohana's with the plan of watching fireworks at the beach afterward. I had my tripod set up for the light parade and we had about hour to kill before Wishes began so I thought I would entertain the 10-15 kids with us with light painting on the beach. I had a flashlight in my camera bag so I had everything that I needed. The Poly beach was really not all that dark so I had to keep the exposure time down which limits what you could do. Both of my DD are experts at how to do this, so with a short tutorial to the other kids we were off an rolling. You would have thought that I had invented a new ride at Disney. These kids were eating this up. Each had their turn and then everyone would rush to see what the effect was on the LCD. Of course the adults wanted in on this as well.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/630046395_CmLWB-L.jpg

And then Wishes from across Bay lake.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/630048751_R8vme-L.jpg

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

Off to Chef Mickey for breakfast. Bus to MK and then walked over.
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/630494750_9igfn-L.jpg

We went to dinner at Cape May. We had never been to the Boardwalk area before and it was quite beautiful. After dinner we strolled and watched some of the street performers.
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Walking back through Epcot to catch a bus I saw this and really wanted a picture. Of course I did not have my tripod with me so I found a light fixture that seemed to do while holding camera so that it would not fall over.
4/10 f/4.3 200
http://fourweeksphotography.smugmug.com/photos/630390258_2Yp4f-L.jpg

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

I was running out of days to get up early and take photos of CBR so today was the day.

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[aggielawyer]

I love your pictures!! I found this thread after seeing your reviews on the Dining board--you are not helping my lust for a D90!! I have an old 35mm SLR that I'm now thinking about taking on my solo trip next month. We'll see if I can caputre anything near as good as yours. Loved the pic in Morrocco of the lamp.

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Very nice Roger! I have a question for you. When on the dark rides like POTC, do you boost Exposure Compensation? I read in the past where some people boost it and others reduce it. It seems too dark if I reduce it, and if I boost it it seems noisy. Just wondering... I will be at DL on Sept 1 & 2. So can you please hurry your answer? :rotfl::lmao::goodvibes

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

Very nice Roger! I have a question for you. When on the dark rides like POTC, do you boost Exposure Compensation? I read in the past where some people boost it and others reduce it. It seems too dark if I reduce it, and if I boost it it seems noisy. Just wondering... I will be at DL on Sept 1 & 2. So can you please hurry your answer? :rotfl::lmao::goodvibes

Thank you. Mark wrote a very informative thread on maybe the "how to shoot dark rides" thread at the top. He said that if you shoot at -1 to -2 EV that it is equivalent to doubling your ISO without increasing the noise. If you need to add light do it post production. Since then I have been shooting at -1EV at least and have been getting great results, not that I understand how it works.

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Thank you. Mark wrote a very informative thread on maybe the "how to shoot dark rides" thread at the top. He said that if you shoot at -1 to -2 EV that it is equivalent to doubling your ISO without increasing the noise. If you need to add light do it post production. Since then I have been shooting at -1EV at least and have been getting great results, not that I understand how it works.

Thanks Roger! I leave for DL tomorrow and will definitely give this a shot.