Anyone have tips for getting good photos of the Castle with the holidays lights on?

[cschulte]

I have a NIkon D50 and usually use in on the Auto settings, but would like to venture out and try to get some nice pictures.

Any advice is appreciated.

[ssanders79]

Number 1 tip... Use a tripod and a remote shutter.
If you do not have a remote shutter use the self timer feature. This will eliminate camera shake from physically pressing the shutter button.

I would start with apeture mode and select around f8 as a start and see what you get. Then look at the exposure and fine tune the shot in manual.

[NateNLogansDad]

I'm definitely with the previous poster on the tripod and remote release/ timer:thumbsup2

Here's another thread that isn't specifically for the Holiday Lights but it is for Cindy's Castle, started by Mark Barbieri, that may give you a few different ideas.......


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=21659094#post21659094

[disneyboy2003]

I also agree with a tripod and using either a remote shutter or the self-timer feature.

If you don't have a tripod, you might be able to take the picture hand-held by using a higher ISO (anywhere between ISO 400-800). If you're in "Manual" setting, use the largest aperture (the smallest f-number), and you might be able to pull it off with a shutter speed of about 1/10 - 1/25 sec.

The other thing you might be able to try--if you don't have a tripod--is find a nearby trash can (there's TONS of trash cans around the Magic Kingdom). Rest your camera on the trash can. Bring a WAD of napkins to rest your lens on, so it'll help aim the camera at Cinderella's Castle. It might also help to fold the wad of napkins, so that it's thicker and more sturdy for your lens. Use the aperture priority settings that ssanders79 mentioned above. Try this for both a landscape orientation (horizontal) and for portrait orientation (vertical). Your spouse will laugh at you and shake his/her head, but at least you'll get the shot! :)

Hope that helps.

[handicap18]

These were taken with my D50 and 18-135mm lens on a tripod:

http://www.kylegendron.com/Disney-World/2007-Trip/Disney-07-Day-1/DSC9333/296786516_NGhcu-L.jpg

http://www.kylegendron.com/Disney-World/2007-Trip/Disney-07-Day-1/DSC9399/296791019_kAJSB-L.jpg

http://www.kylegendron.com/Disney-World/2007-Trip/Disney-07-Day-4/DSD0357/319776547_QShW4-L.jpg

This one I took handheld at f/4.5, 1/30th, ISO1600
http://www.kylegendron.com/Disney-World/2007-Trip/Disney-07-Day-4/DRD0444/316538572_FDMiG-L.jpg

This one was with my 30mm f/1.4 lens,,, handheld ISO1600, f/1.8, 1/40th
http://www.kylegendron.com/Disney-World/2007-Trip/Disney-07-Day-6/DSD1834/326123170_VbMNR-L.jpg

[mom2rtk]

I too second the tripod and shutter release suggestion. There is just no replacement for it!

Also be patient. Wait for that split second when there are no heads in the way.

Take pictures up close, but don't miss the shot from down on the end of Main Street with the garlands above you!

http://imgs.inkfrog.com/pix/mom2rtk/castlegarlands.jpg

[bleeps]

Take pictures up close, but don't miss the shot from down on the end of Main Street with the garlands above you!


Utterly spectacular!