Learning to NOT Photograph Fireworks Behind Trees (Sept/Oct 2012)

[KatMark]

Caught up again!

I'm blown away by your photos...literally! They are truly outstanding.

Your ADR's look good (we're doing a few of those places too).

As for your resort, I think you'll be happier at POR than CBR after having stayed at CSR (just my opinion).

 

[Cafeen]

Caught up again!

I'm blown away by your photos...literally! They are truly outstanding.

Your ADR's look good (we're doing a few of those places too).

As for your resort, I think you'll be happier at POR than CBR after having stayed at CSR (just my opinion).

Thanks Kathy! I'm showing the top of my photos here, so they're a bit skewed (although, I'm already running out of said top photos that apply to the PTR... so we shall see if it keeps up )

I'm happy with most of the ADRs right now, though I may drop out Yak & Yeti on Day 9 for something else... just what? I have no idea. It's going to be a full day in AK so there isn't much to choose from, but I'm not a big fan of Asian cuisine... Since RFC has the basics that I enjoy, I may just end up there. Or maybe put Sanaa here, and do RFC with Mom (would be more convenient on her last day, but I want her to take part of the yumminess that is Sanaa too... choices!)

I do think POR will be nicer than CBR for me, since I've done those 3 CSRs in a row it's a considerably different change. Not that CBR is bad or anything, it's just similar in style to CSR.

 

[Cafeen]

DEPRECATED
The following plans will no longer be happening as I have switched dates. See ToC for updated plans!

Day 7 - Initial Plans​

I'm racing through this PTR! It's day 7 already (Sept 19, 2012)! My primary goal of today is to get some good HDR pictures, as such, my tripod will be coming along. (It'll be needed for later on anyway).

Day 7 will have me waking up relatively early, as today is a DHS/Epcot day. Since it's a DHS day, this means I'm aiming for TSMM... luckily there is no more bull running, so I'll get there as early as can be to do some pre-opening shooting.

After it opens, I'll march on down to TSMM and hop on, depending on how busy it is, I'll take some queue shots as well. Afterwards, I'll grab a FP for it and then make my way down Sunset Blvd for ToT and RnRC.

I have some certain shots here that I'd like to get, including HDRs of ToT (and assorted parts of the ToT queue) and the RnRC guitar. Now, how am I going to bring my tripod on RnRC? I have no clue... but I will! (it has its own case, so it'll likely be tucked safely between my legs with my camera bag).

After the thrills, and the photos, it'll either be TSMM return or lunch time. I have ADRs at HBD for 11:30am which is right at opening. I do hope to get there early and attempt some HDR shots of the empty restaurant. We'll see how those go as it'll be totally up to the CMs.

After lunch, (or before lunch if timing permits), I hope to catch a show. Which one? Doesn't matter. I just want to shoot some shows, so I'll play all that by ear.

Eventually, I'll head out to the Boardwalk for a 6:30pm Flying Fish meal. I aim to be there by about 5:30 to do some shooting (photographically) on the Boardwalk before it gets dark.

And then after dinner, it'll be dark (ish) so more photographic stuff will happen.

After that stuff, it'll be getting on time for Illuminations (or maybe before that stuff, if that's the case, I'll do Illuminations first, but you get the drift). My plan this year is to get a spot over by Italy or on the porch of Tokyo Dining to set up. I DO NOT want to be behind trees again. That was a huge letdown last year. With the full tripod, it'll be easier to find a decent spot as well.

So, the aim is to NOT get photos like the below...

Namely, I'm aiming to NOT be behind that (or any) tree.​

After the fireworks, I'll stroll through WS (since it's EMH night) and take more pictures.

Need to redo this one a bit. It was too zoomed out and hence I had to crop in. I'll redo it with a different lens and tripod.

And then on the way out, I'll get some of the imagination pavilion and stuff

And lastly, I will redo my SSE HDR. Probably from a different perspective.

After I meander out sometime between 11 and 12, I'll head back to POR and pass out on the bed.
---
In the past 2 updates (or maybe it was just this one?), I've mentioned HDR imagery a bit. For those not "in the know", HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. It allows you to capture much more mid-tones (those between shadow and light) than you normally would be able to. It's done by taking multiple images of the same thing at mostly the same settings, except exposure time and then combining them in software. They can give several different effects, from the more natural to the more surreal.

2 non-Disney examples of this type of photography:
More Natural

Base (+0 Exposure) from the above

Less Natural

Now, I'm sure a few of you reading this (erm.... a few of the few ) know what HDR is, but it's fun to explain!

Day 7 Food Plans

• B - Nothing Planned, maybe pick up a snack at Starring Rolls
• L - Hollywood Brown Derby @ 11:30am
• D - Flying Fish Cafe @ 6:30pm

Day 7 Photography Plans

• HDR of DHS stuff
• HDR of Brown Derby Interior (this may be tricky and I'll likely have to get some CM to work with me on it...)
• Any shows I may have missed earlier in the trip
• HDR and other Boardwalk shots
• Epcot at night (both HDR and non-HDR tripod mounted shots)
• Illuminations test run

 

[2Tiggies]

I just saw your PTR link in your siggie. Sorry I'm late!

You're going to be there the same time as us this year - we're at POFQ next door to you from September 6th thru 24th.

I really love your photos. That EE shot is so cool and as always, all your pics are amazing! I can't wait to see your Beauty & The Beast stage show shots !!

 

[Cafeen]

I just saw your PTR link in your siggie. Sorry I'm late!

You're going to be there the same time as us this year - we're at POFQ next door to you from September 6th thru 24th.

I really love your photos. That EE shot is so cool and as always, all your pics are amazing! I can't wait to see your Beauty & The Beast stage show shots !!

Hey there! Thanks for stopping by.

No worries about being late, it's a bit quiet over here so it's a quick catch up .

As for the trip, sounds like a good time! I actually was hoping for FQ, but nothing other than a Royal Room was open, and that just wasn't suiting me (and it was a bit pricier than I wanted ), so Riverside it was, which also works quite well.

Thanks for the comments on the photos. I like them, but always see better things that I could do, I suppose that's common for all of us though. I'm also very weak in post processing stuff, mainly because I am super lazy and get bored after a few minutes on a particular image . I do plan on making a TR for this upcoming trip, so the photos will be plastered all over it. That is... assuming I don't pull my typical holiday disappearing act.

Now, I was going to toss Day 8 up here, and update the 2011 TR... but I decided to update the database that drives my galleries online and cut out the photos that didn't make the final cut. Of course, this means I have to reexport all 986 of them to create a list as they're in a folder with the extras as well . Then I have to do it again for my "selected" gallery...which removes a bunch of the good for TR, but not good for sharing photos (I'm sure you know what I mean by those, stuff like a picture of an empty bus. Not particularly enjoyable to share on my site and stuff, but it helps tell the TR story).

So yeah, I'm rambling here! If you see me meandering about, feel free to say hi! If I ignore you, smack me in the head as I'm probably lost in the Disney .

 

[KatMark]

Day 7 plans sound terrific...and the photos blew me away.

 

[Cafeen]

DEPRECATED
The following plans will no longer be happening as I have switched dates. See ToC for updated plans!

Day 8 - Initial Plans​

So, we're moving along (and we're walking, and we're walking) through this PTR at "blazing" speed! And by blazing speed, I mean there isn't much to it, so it goes quick. Since today marks my 100 days out from the trip, it's time to post another update/installment/chapter/meaningless words between pictures.

Today will start out at Magic Kingdom. It's another party day, but I'm not planning on attending this one!

Breakfast will consist of whatever I find yummy at Main St. Bakery. Well, not whatever, since that would be a HUGE breakfast, but something. I hear them cinnamon rolls are quite tasty, and man, I do love me some cinnamon rolls!

After breakfast, I'm not really planning on much. Mostly just tooling around taking pictures and doing things that I didn't do on any of my previous MK visits (which, by this time will be about 3 or 4 of them!)

I do want to get some HDR work in here, especially since it's my last day, so I'm going to aim to do some of that early. Maybe I'll get up on the train station before breakfast to get some HDR of the castle...hmm. Though, removing the crane may be a real pain on 3-9 exposure HDRs... we'll see

For lunch, it's Liberty Tree Tavern. This is my favorite lunch place in MK. I absolutely love their...

(You know, while this is a food pic and I normally just use them for story telling rather than my artsy-fartsy stuff. I am REALLY liking how this turned out. The lighting is almost perfect and that's with minimal processing...)

And, of course

So very tasty!​

After lunch, at some point, I'm heading over to Epcot. I'll have already done some of my more "serious" photo work here, so this afternoon and evening will focus on capturing things that I missed. I'd like to say that I'd get some "magic hour" shots here, but I have ADRs at 6:30pm, so that may not happen.

Dinner will be at my favorite dinner spot in Epcot, Hacienda de San Angel. I love this restaurant. I love Mexican food though, so that plays a large part. I originally had these for 7:30 or so, in hopes to catch Illuminations from the restaurant, then I realize that I'd most likely miss Illuminations that way. So, it's for 6:30 now, which gives me plenty of time to eat and setup. I do plan on being located in World Showcase Plaza for the show. I figure if I'm out of Hacienda by 7:45pm, that'll still give me plenty of time to find a decent spot away from trees. I just hope the wind is blowing south (if at all!)

The rest, we'll play by ear.

Food Plans

• B - Main St. Bakery
• L - Liberty Tree Tavern @ 11:45am
• D - Hacienda de San Angel @ 6:30pm

Photography Plans

• HDR Imagery of Magic Kingdom
• Illuminations from WS Plaza
• Finish up missing shots from "list" in MK

 

[PrincessInOz]

I noticed you had a link to a PTR and I followed the breadcrumbs. As I'm always happy to pull up a pew on a photographer's PTR/TR, I thought I'd sneak in here during night shift and warm up my seat.

Nice looking plans and I hope you'll be coming back with food porn for all those ADRs.


And yes....you'll get no mark downs from me for late submissions on the scav hunt.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Ok, need a couple words of wisdom.

My Day 5 plans currently have me at MK for Wishes. It's a DHS EMH night and the only time I'm planning to be at DHS in the evening. From a photography aspect, which would you guys prefer to do? Wishes (keep in mind, I'll be at MK at least 1 more night for the party) or DHS (which, while I don't particularly enjoy the part itself, it has awesome night photography opportunities)? (Also keep in mind, that with Narcoossee's on Day 1, I will certainly at least watch Wishes (for the first time)).

I was originally planning DHS here, then I swapped to MK, then back to DHS, then MK again... and now I'm leaning back to DHS. DHS also closes at ~11pm, so with Wishes ending at 9:30ish, I don't think I'd make it with much time in the park...

I vote for DHS. If you are going to have other opportunities to shoot Wishes/Hallowishes, then take this chance to shoot another park at night. If this is the only time you're planning to be at DHS (and an EMH at that), think of all those photo opps you'll have...with tripod.

Is there going to be two showings of Fantasmic on this night? ..... Hmmmm.

 

[Cafeen]

I noticed you had a link to a PTR and I followed the breadcrumbs. As I'm always happy to pull up a pew on a photographer's PTR/TR, I thought I'd sneak in here during night shift and warm up my seat.

Nice looking plans and I hope you'll be coming back with food porn for all those ADRs.


And yes....you'll get no mark downs from me for late submissions on the scav hunt.

I vote for DHS. If you are going to have other opportunities to shoot Wishes/Hallowishes, then take this chance to shoot another park at night. If this is the only time you're planning to be at DHS (and an EMH at that), think of all those photo opps you'll have...with tripod.

Is there going to be two showings of Fantasmic on this night? ..... Hmmmm.

Hey Princess! Thanks for stopping by.

I am not planning another night to shoot normal Wishes, just to view it... possibly, so that throws a wrench. Though, DHS is very nice when it's all lit up, and I will see MK at night (albeit with party effects) on other nights.... it's really a conumdrum.

However... this may all be moot and I may have to rework this entire vacation. Work is now asking if there's any "wiggle-room" in my days off as they have just now blacked out Aug-Oct for vacation. That, plus my boss will be off for 2 weeks in September for a new baby and for some reason, STI (my company) can't seem to live without my boss and me away at the same time (which is funny, since our responsibilities do not overlap at all).

I've looked into pushing it 2 weeks back (so 9/27-10/6) and that would work. It'll hinge on me being able to bring my free dining plan promotion with me though, at it would be ~$800 more without it. My boss did mention they may be willing to pick up the tab... but I doubt it. It would be nice though, as that gives an extra paycheck to pay on the trip, and most (all but the first 3) of my ADRs are still available. Will mean I'd have to go through park hours and best/worst days and EMH times and all that to figure out if my schedule will still work too...

Will keep you all updated!

 

[orangecats2]

I guess the upside to you pushing back your trip is that then you will be there during F&W. And it might be a little cooler.

 

[Cafeen]

I guess the upside to you pushing back your trip is that then you will be there during F&W. And it might be a little cooler.

That is very true... although I'm not overly interested in F&W (get more than enough food on DxDDP, plus I'm kinda picky ), plus it makes evenings at Epcot stupidly busy (at least, in that half of the park). I do have a tentative itinerary all squared away though if I am able to change! It really doesn't take me long anymore to figure all that stuff out .

I didn't get a chance to call them yesterday as my internet was down at home until ~8 or 9pm CST . And, of course, all my important info is safely stored in my Gmail

 

[orangecats2]

Any update as to whether you have to change your trip or not?

If not, hopefully we can have a quick DIS meet.

 

[KatMark]

I see you might be changing your dates (we'll be gone by then). I have a PTR going for our September trip and our added December which is a surprise for DH's 60th birthday. We'll be at CSR in Debember.

 

[Cafeen]

Any update as to whether you have to change your trip or not?

If not, hopefully we can have a quick DIS meet.

No update yet... it was a busy weekend of Diablo 3 escapism. I'll be calling today. I'm kinda on the cusp of just telling them that it couldn't be done vs actually checking. I'm at a loss on this one.

I see you might be changing your dates (we'll be gone by then). I have a PTR going for our September trip and our added December which is a surprise for DH's 60th birthday. We'll be at CSR in Debember.

I'll have to check out the PTR and see if we can do a quick hello again Right now, is not a good time, but maybe once I get to work

---
I'm also working on getting ground laid for 2013's trip. It will be a biggie. My brother, sister-in-law, and nephew are hoping to get back, so I figure that I'll head down and bring Beth and Emily along too (it's already been almost 3 years!) I'm really wanting to stay deluxe for it too, so I'll have to see what kind of deals I can nab between potential PINS (like I ever get those....) and bounceback offers when I'm down there in Sept.

If I remember to call Disney today, I'll make sure to update.

 

[BearcatsFan]

Followed you over here from mxkris's PTR. The Nikon/Canon camera debate lives on, eh? I just got mine, so I have lots of excuses as to why I can't get it to work right. I'm a total photography noob with a huge learning curve. It isn't a DSLR, either - alas, too pricey for our budget.

I could hang in here all day just looking at your photos, though!

Our dates overlap - we'll be next door at POFQ - maybe we'll run into one another!

 

[Cafeen]

Followed you over here from mxkris's PTR. The Nikon/Canon camera debate lives on, eh? I just got mine, so I have lots of excuses as to why I can't get it to work right. I'm a total photography noob with a huge learning curve. It isn't a DSLR, either - alas, too pricey for our budget.

I could hang in here all day just looking at your photos, though!

Our dates overlap - we'll be next door at POFQ - maybe we'll run into one another!

Thanks for joining in. We're going to restart at Day 1 here soon as I have changed my dates. Sorry for those hoping to meet up , but it gave me big brownie points at work, and even better, I got my first choice of resorts!

I will now be traveling on 9/27-10/06 and staying at Port Orleans: French Quarter!

All I have to do now is redo ALL of my dining reservations! (Which, I've already mapped out... as well as the days per park... ).. So, let's stay tuned for Day 1 again!

(Now, why did I let myself get to Day 8 beforehand...this is going to be confusing for newcomers... I'm going to repeat photos though, so deal with it )

 

[Cafeen]

Ok, since I had to change my dates, I had to change my ADRs as well. I had previously already sorted out where I wanted to be each day, and there's a bit more hopping involved this time. But, it should work...

Edit: 6/17/2012 - I have made some considerable changes to the first 3 full days. Based on crowd predictions (both TP and EasyWDW) and me really wanting to see Fantasmic! I have once again grayed out the old stuff and made the newer stuff a bit more obvious.

• Thu 27 Sept (Travel/Mom Arrives/DtD)
  • B - TRAVEL
  • L - QS in Epcot
  • D - Raglan Rd* @ 7:15pm (DtD) (Mom is half Irish and loves bread pudding. No idea why I had never thought of this before...
• Fri 28 Sept (MK/MNSSHP (tentative))
  
  • B - QS at Main St. Bakery
  • L - Liberty Tree Tavern @ 11:30am (MK)
  • D - QS
  [*]Sat 29 Sept (DHS/Boardwalk)
  
  • B - Snack/QS @ Starring Rolls
  • L - 50s Prime Time* @ 11:25am (DHS)
  • D - Big River Grille* @ ~7:00pm (Boardwalk)
  [*]Sun 30 Sept (AK/EP Illuminations)
  
  • B - Snack
  • L - Sanaa* @ 11:30am (AKV)
  • D - Garden Grill* @ 7:15pm (EP)
• Fri 28 Sept (DHS/Fantasmic!)
  
  • B - QS at Starring Rolls
  • L - Mama Melrose @ 12:10pm (DHS) (F! Package)
  • D - Flying Fish @ 6:00pm (Boardwalk)
  [*]Sat 29 Sept (AK (AM EMH is tentative))
  
  • B - Boma* @ 10:45am (AKL) (This will be more of a "brunch")
  • L - N/A
  • D - Sanaa* @ 5:30pm (AKV)
  [*]Sun 30 Sept (MK/MNSSHP (tentative) or Epcot Illuminations)
  
  • B - QS/Snack @ Main St. Bakery (MK)
  • L - Liberty Tree Tavern @ 11:35am (MK)
  • D - Grand Floridian Cafe* @ 5:30pm (GFR)
• Mon 01 Oct (EP/Mom Leaves/MK PM EMH)
  • B - Snack/Sunshine Seasons
    [*]L - San Angel Inn @ 11:30am (EP)
    [*]D - Les Chefs de France* @ 5:00pm (EP)
    [*]L -Rose & Crown @ 12:05pm (EP)
    [*]D - San Angel Inn @ 5:00pm (EP)
• Tue 02 Oct (MK/EP)
  • B - Snack/QS @ Main st. Bakery
  • L - The Plaza @ 11:20am (MK)
  • D - Hacienda de San Angel @ 6:30pm (EP)
• Wed 03 Oct (DHS/EP PM EMH)
  • B - Snack/QS @ Starring Rolls
  • L - Hollywood Brown Derby* @ 11:40am (DHS)
  • D - Yachstman @ 6:00pm (YC)
• Thu 04 Oct (EP/MNSSHP)
  • B - Snack
  • L - Via Napoli @ 11:30am (EP)
  • D - Kona Cafe @ 5:35pm (Poly)
• Fri 05 Oct (AK/MNSSHP(Tentative)/DHS(If no MNSSHP))
  • B - Snack or whatever
  • L - Rainforest Cafe* @ 11:30am (AK)
    [*]D - Flying Fish Cafe @ 6:15pm (Boardwalk)[*]D - Jiko @ 5:30pm (AKL)
• Sat 06 Oct (EP/Travel Home)
  • B - Whatever
  • L - Coral Reef* @ 11:30am (EP)
  • D - Sabor-a-Mexico or Pizza Hut! (I'll be back home)

Edit: 8/10/2012 - More changes due to Mom's plans and me adding a day at the beginning. It'll be easier for me to post the whole thing again, and cleaner.

• Wed 26 Sept (Travel - Arrive late)
  • B - Pop Tarts or something from the machine at work
  • L - Wherever we go for lunch at work, probably Sabor-a-Mexico @ 11:30am (see, this is why most of my lunches at Disney are for this same time, it's all work's fault, and it goes by the real clock too, so even despite the time-change, I get hungry at 11:30am every day)
  • D - Something at the airport (either ATL during layover or MCO after landing)
• Thu 27 Sept (Check-in to real package/MK)
  • B - Kona Cafe @ 8:25am (Poly)
  • L - Liberty Tree Tavern @ 11:40am (MK)
  • D - Artist Point @ 7:15pm (WL)
• Fri 28 Sept (DHS/Fantasmic!)
  • B - QS at Starring Rolls
  • L - Mama Melrose @ 12:10pm (DHS) (F! Package)
  • D - Flying Fish @ 6:00pm (Boardwalk)
• Sat 29 Sept (AK (AM EMH is tentative)/Mom Arrives mid-Morning)
  • B - Boma* @ 10:45am (AKL) (This will be more of a "brunch")
  • L - N/A
  • D - Sanaa* @ 5:30pm (AKV)
• Sun 30 Sept (MK/MNSSHP (tentative) or Epcot Illuminations)
  • B - QS/Snack @ Main St. Bakery (MK)
  • L - The Plaza @ 11:15am (MK)
  • D - Grand Floridian Cafe* @ 5:30pm (GFR)[/color]
• Mon 01 Oct (EP/MK PM EMH (Tentative))
  • B - Snack/Sunshine Seasons
  • L -Rose & Crown @ 12:05pm (EP)
  • D - San Angel Inn @ 5:00pm (EP)
• Tue 02 Oct (DHS/Mom Leaves Late Afternoon/EP)
  • B - Snack/QS @ Starring Rolls
  • L - 50s Prime Time @ 11:15am (DHS)
  • D - Hacienda de San Angel @ 6:30pm (EP)
• Wed 03 Oct (AK/EP PM EMH)
  • B - ??
  • L - Rainforest Cafe* @ 11:40am (AK)
  • D -Jiko @ 5:30pm (AKL)
• Thu 04 Oct (EP/MNSSHP)
  • B - Snack
  • L - Via Napoli @ 11:30am (EP)
  • D - Kona Cafe @ 5:35pm (Poly)
• Fri 05 Oct (AK/MNSSHP(Tentative)/DHS(If no MNSSHP))
  • B - Snack or whatever
  • L - Yak & Yeti @ 11:00am (AK)
  • D - Yachtsman @ 5:25pm (YC) (hm, I wrote this for 5:25am.... I should probably change that on my sheet )
• Sat 06 Oct (EP/Travel Home)
  • B - Whatever
  • L - Coral Reef* @ 11:30am (EP)
  • D - Sabor-a-Mexico or Pizza Hut! (I'll be back home)

As you may notice, I'm planning some DtD time this year. I figure since we'll be right up the river from it, we may as well. Also, all the meals marked with an asterisk (*) are new to me, and they seem to be the majority. I think I stepped outside my comfort zone a bit here .

Edit 8/10/2012
Ok, I lied. No DtD time this year. Sorry folks. Plus, with the Characters-in-Flight grounded until further notice, it takes away the one thing I was looking forward to there, so it's kinda pointless anyway.

(Snipped out some extra stuff that no longer applied.)

 

[KatMark]

Allan, I am so sorry we will miss you, but best to make the office happy, especially in today's world.

 

[mxkris]

Booo for changing your dates!!!