Backstage Magic with the DIS--Live!!! 7/27/2012

[tufbuf]

Great trip report! And excellent photos!!

I'm just curious, did you use a fisheye lens all throughout? And did you use a monopod or tripod to take those low light photos?

 

[WebmasterMike]

Great trip report! And excellent photos!!

I'm just curious, did you use a fisheye lens all throughout? And did you use a monopod or tripod to take those low light photos?

I did not pull the Fish-eye out unless I was looking for that kind of shot, or needed Extreme Wide shots like at the Disney Studios, where there were lots of cramped spaces. I also used an Ultrawide lens, 10-20mm for most of the wide shots.

I used a trash can on the fireworks shots, and the other low light shots were done holding the camera and using a very fast lens, normally a 1.4, 1.8, or 2.8 and shooting around 3200 ISO or higher.

 

[tufbuf]

I did not pull the Fish-eye out unless I was looking for that kind of shot, or needed Extreme Wide shots like at the Disney Studios, where there were lots of cramped spaces. I also used an Ultrawide lens, 10-20mm for most of the wide shots.

I used a trash can on the fireworks shots, and the other low light shots were done holding the camera and using a very fast lens, normally a 1.4, 1.8, or 2.8 and shooting around 3200 ISO or higher.

You have incredibly steady hands. I guess I have to get the ultra fast lenses. I have mostly 2.8s and my regular lens is the Canon 24-105 f4. Is it a 50 mm you use? Sorry to stray from the topic but your shots are really amazing! Plus you have the eye how to capture the shots.

 

[WebmasterMike]

You have incredibly steady hands. I guess I have to get the ultra fast lenses. I have mostly 2.8s and my regular lens is the Canon 24-105 f4. Is it a 50 mm you use? Sorry to stray from the topic but your shots are really amazing! Plus you have the eye how to capture the shots.

Thank you!!

Mostly, I was using the 30mm Sigma, 50mm Canon, and the 40mm Canon. I also shoots couple of stops down so that I can get as close to a shutter speed of 1/60 as possible. The metering is deceptive on most cameras and tries to pull in more light than is really needed. Shooting down a full stop or more can help you bring in some Grim Grinning Ghosts, or Capt. Jack. Some of my favorites are from Buzz Lightyear @ WDW.

 

[tufbuf]

Thank you!!

Mostly, I was using the 30mm Sigma, 50mm Canon, and the 40mm Canon. I also shoots couple of stops down so that I can get as close to a shutter speed of 1/60 as possible. The metering is deceptive on most cameras and tries to pull in more light than is really needed. Shooting down a full stop or more can help you bring in some Grim Grinning Ghosts, or Capt. Jack. Some of my favorites are from Buzz Lightyear @ WDW.

I figured you have some photography know-how since all the photos look tack sharp!

 

[sayhello]

I figured you have some photography know-how since all the photos look tack sharp!

It's great having Mike along on any trip you take, because he gets such great shots that nobody else can get. You should have seen the pics he took of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at night!

Sayhello

 

[kmcrosby]

Mike - we just returned from our BSM trip late Sunday night. Dean and Hanneke were our guides. Both were fantastic. Dean passed along your hello's to us. Sounded like you had a great trip too. Dean recommended that our group try out one of the DIS exclusive ABD trips next time.

The only thing that could have made the trip better was if the hot Texas temperatures had not followed us to California. The guides changed around some of the touring schedule to keep everyone from getting overheated, but that didn't stop us from having an outstanding time.

We also got to experience some extra special unscheduled surprises. We had back to back 4.4 and 4.5 earthquakes while we were at DL. We were on Stars Tours when the first one hit. We didn't even know anything about it until the next morning when we gathered in the lobby. The group was on the Indiana Jones attraction when the second quake hit the following day. Fortunately, no one was hurt and we were able to finish the ride. As we were leaving the attraction we met the maintenance staff going in to check the ride. We were told that most of the attractions in the park were shut down for several hours. It didn't alter our tour very much because we were headed back stage to see behind the scenes stuff.

The guides were very professional and reassuring in how they kept everyone informed, safe and having a great time. Hats off to Dean and Hanneke.

We can't wait until next summer when we do the Med Cruise to Greece with ABD.

 

[WebmasterMike]

Awesome!! Dean was fantastic. I sent him a text to tell him that our car service had arrived at the Grand Californian and he said ya'll had just checked in. Glad ya'll had a great trip! We had a blast and the heat just missed us. It is so funny that when you step in the shade in California you actually cool off.

 

[WebmasterMike]

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