Any newbie tips/advice specific to WDW picture-taking?

[TigerLaw]

On my trip next month, I am taking pics w. a digital for the first time (yeah, I know, welcome to the 90's!) anyway, while I am not feeling confident per se, I think I am getting there.

my question to all of you is do you have any tips, thoughts, advice that is unique to WDW? for example, using a shot burst mode on safari. something that a new person wouldn't necesarily think of but yet experts wouldn't even give a second thought to.

thanks for the help!

 

[Master Mason]

Not an expert, but learn what adjustments you need to make or settings to set to be able to take pics in low light without a flash. In most attractions you can't use a flash, so you need to know how to set up your camera for that before you go.

 

[ukcatfan]

Bring plenty of extra batteries and memory. Try to back up your pictures to a CD/DVD everyday. If you will not have a laptop, it can be done cheaply at almost every drugstore or supermarket. It can also be done at WDW, but it is $$$. Bring some sort of tripod, even if it is just a table top one. It is needed for good fireworks shots.

It can be very bright during the day. There are times where you will want to use a forced flash to fill in the shadows.

Practice every situation in general before going, but especially your low light/indoor shots.

It can be very addictive having the freedom of a digital at WDW. Do not forget to enjoy your vacation instead of having to re-live it with your pictures after you get home.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

and may I suggest reading the second link in my signature.

 

[JR6ooo4]

I can think of three things that can not realy be fixed in photoshop:

Missed focus- if possible set your camera to a single focus point so you control what is in focus. My canon multi-focus mode will always choose the focus point that is on the closest object.

Camera shake- that is easy to fix. Hold the camera still!

Over/underexposure- single point exposure metering will help. But even my $800 canon does not have it. To automaticaly adjust the exposure of a shot the camera will compare all or part of the frame. So, If you are taking a picture of a person with a very bright sky behind them, the face will likely be too dark. Likewise if you shot the opposite, a face with a very dark background the face wil be too bright. The camera tries to find an average value of the whole scene.

Another tip is to bring tons of memory! and backup batteries.

hope that helps some...
Mikeeee

 

[StrwLady]

Use the view finder instead of the screen on the back. I find it stablizes the camera more and also better helps you frame the picutre.

Shoot Shoot Shoot! Thats one of the wonderful things about digital pictures. You can take tons of shots of the same thing and delete all but that one perfect shot!.

Take Care
Jamie

 

[makinorlando]

Look at things from different perspectives- one of infamous posters here has been known to lay on the ground to get a great shot!!!! In the middle of WISHES no less.

Many folks here look for details - look at things close up... In addition to the normal shots of the "Photo Spots" look for a close up detail that someone else might not have noticed. Right now the adornment on the castle is fun, or all the carvings in the tree of life. I like taking architectural details of the building - especially in World Showcase. Merchandise displays are interesting too - wine bottles, stuffed animals, christmas ornament, hats... you name it I have taken photos of it!

If you haven't looked at it already - this thread - PHOTOS THE AVERAGE TOURIST WOULD NOT TAKE - has lots of photos of people "shooting" outside the box!

There was another poster who suggested a "Photo Scavenger Hunt" and posted their results when they returned. Each day they picked two topics from several they pre-selected, and that was what they concentrated on that day.... I like to shoot photos of signs - the parking lot signs, rest room signs, etc. It's fun to add to the collection!

Someone else mentioned plenty of battery power and memory - if your camera uses AA batteries, you do not want to be buying them in the parks, and memory - NO WAY! I live close by and occasionally (in the past) would get out of the house without everything I needed and rather than miss a day of photos - I paid way too much for both batteries and memory on different occasions!

HAVE FUN!

Use the view finder instead of the screen on the back. I find it stablizes the camera more and also better helps you frame the picutre.

Shoot Shoot Shoot! Thats one of the wonderful things about digital pictures. You can take tons of shots of the same thing and delete all but that one perfect shot!.

Take Care
Jamie

I thought I was the only one who uses the view finder. I find in the bright sun here in FL it's is almost impossible to really see the cLD screen (maybe better with a bigger display) - I just feel more comfortable with the viewfinder???? I guess old habits die hard from "the old days!"

 

[Space Ranger]

Just RELAX and have FUN!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mhutchinson]

Practice, practice, practice.

It is a digital so get to know the camera before you go. Take pics of the mall, buildings, statues, things anywhere to gain perspective of the camera. Practice composition portrait vs. landscape...zoom control, low liight situations around the house, try using fill flash near sunset on close subjects

Read about and try the different modes to know what they will do and what you can gain with them...

better to iron out all the kinks before you go than to not get the shot you had hoped.

And when you get there, have fun

Mike

 

[mabas9395]

When I got back from DL last April, I posted a list of the top 11 things I learned about DL and my Canon XT camera.

1) ISO is a useful and necessary setting to manipulate to get the right picture at the right time. However, when you are done taking pictures of the C3-PO at Star Tours (with ISO 1600) be sure to change it back down again when you take pictures of the kids in front of the castle at the middle of the day. (my bad)

2) If your autofocus hunts when taking pictures of the fireworks, it is handy to change it to manual focus. However, remember to turn autofocus back on the next morning at Goofy's Kitchen for your character breakfast. (my bad again)

3) Using the built in flash with the 28mm-135mm IS lens and lens hood will cause a shadow when used at 28mm.

4) The built in flash is much more powerful than the flash on my Nikon P&S, however, there were several times I wish I would have gotten a Speedlite before I left.

5) Shutter speed faster than 1/focal length is not just a good idea, it is essential.

6) Willcad's patented ziploc method for waterproofing your camera works great on splash mountain if you close the bag tight around the lens.

7) One battery and a single 1gb card per day were sufficient and gave me about 250 photos (though I brought extras of each).

8) It pretty funny handing your XT to a passerby and have them look through the LCD to try to frame your picture.

9) Its pretty sad to see a guy with a 30d hold his own camera like a P&S.

10) A backpack with an XT, video camera, P&S, kid's sweatshirt, water bottle, etc, etc, etc on the floor next to your feet does not leave much leg room on just about any ride you go on.

11) No matter what your intentions are for meticulously composing the definitive "disney" shot that is worthy of putting on a post card, you just have to remember that you are there for the kids to have fun. Your interest in photography as a hobby has to take back seat to that every time!

 

[tigger795]

that I might add are to keep an eye out for different perspectives.

Stand on a bench or get low to the ground.

After you take your photo rotate your body 360 degrees to see if there are any photo opportunities you might otherwise miss.

Look up and down not just eye-level. WDW at child's-eye-level is a wonderful thing.

Look for framing opportunities: Frame your subject between flowers/plants/buildings etc to make them more interesting.

Look for reflections.

Look for shadows.

Look for ineresting angles that juxtapose two well-known subjects that are normally not thought of as being near each other.

Try to include people's reactions and expressions in some of your photos. This will capture the excitement of the moment that will help to remind you later of how much fun you had there.

Photograph your meals before and after while trying to capture as much of the theme of the restaurant as possible.

 

[manning]

Use the view finder instead of the screen on the back. I find it stablizes the camera more and also better helps you frame the picutre.

Shoot Shoot Shoot! Thats one of the wonderful things about digital pictures. You can take tons of shots of the same thing and delete all but that one perfect shot!.

Take Care
Jamie

I Have a camera that only has the LCD. I learned this by mistake. If you have a mini-tripod that folds down to 12"(?) put the mini-pod on the camera and when you compose the picture you have the camera extended in front of you but your hand is on the end of the pod with the arm and hand against your body. It stabilizes nicely. The tripod is completely folded.

 

[all4fun]

and may I suggest reading the second link in my signature.

I've just been lurking here and this is the 2nd post I've seen where you've referred to links in your signature but both posts I have seen by don't have a siggy on them.... Where'd your siggy go? I want to look at those links!!!

 

[ukcatfan]

Kelly was permanently removed from the Disboards today. There is a thread explaining it on this board.

Kevin

 

[mhutchinson]

that I might add are to keep an eye out for different perspectives.

Stand on a bench or get low to the ground.

After you take your photo rotate your body 360 degrees to see if there are any photo opportunities you might otherwise miss.

Look up and down not just eye-level. WDW at child's-eye-level is a wonderful thing.

Look for framing opportunities: Frame your subject between flowers/plants/buildings etc to make them more interesting.

Look for reflections.

Look for shadows.

Look for ineresting angles that juxtapose two well-known subjects that are normally not thought of as being near each other.

Try to include people's reactions and expressions in some of your photos. This will capture the excitement of the moment that will help to remind you later of how much fun you had there.

Photograph your meals before and after while trying to capture as much of the theme of the restaurant as possible.

Great tips. One more I'd add is to be aware of what is at the edges of your frame and what might be in the background as well.

Mike