Any Tips for Photos around the Boardwalk?

[Shazzasmd]

We have a 2 night stay at the BW Hotel booked in a couple of weeks. I've been searching and reading all the info I can find, but thought it wouldn't hurt to ask for tips here. Here are my thoughts/questions:

1. Have never used a tripod at WDW, but plan to take it this time. Am planning to be in Epcot on the first evening to photograph Illuminations. Any recommendations on where to set up so I will be out of the way - just nervous about annoying others with my tripod

2. I was thinking it might be good to setup far from the exit gate so I could sneak in some shots of the World Showcase areas as I meander out - how strict is security with letting you take photos on the way out, since I'd need to setup the tripod for longer exposures?

3. Presumably I can get some night shots of the BC, YC, and Boardwalk as I head back - any particular hints?

4. I plan to get up early so hoping to get some sunrise shots - suggestions? HS opens at 8am on our second morning, so I might take an early boat over there, but thinking it might be too late to make it worthwhile going into the park?

Thanks for your help. I will have a Florida Resident's pass, and also know the weather can thwart well-laid plans

 

[SrisonS]

1) I haven't really heard of anyone annoying other people with their tripod setup. If anything, just make sure you stake out, and setup your tripod early enough. Then people can't complain about not knowing. If anything, you might have to worry about people being in YOUR way. A couple of popular spots to maybe stake out early are on that bridge between the UK and France pavilions; or right outside of that 2nd story restaurant in the Japan pavilion.

2) I don't think security will be super strict about kicking you out. You'd be able to grab some shots here and there. If it happens to be an Extra Magic Hours that night, EVEN BETTER!!!

3) There are some GREAT shots to be had of that area at night. The unfinished trip report in my sig has some samples, if you wanna check it out.

4) Since you're staying at the BW, I'd suggest getting some sunrise shots over there, if possible.

 

[Shazzasmd]

Thank you, Scott. I'll try to be brave with my tripod!

I read your TR, and love your photos - also checked out your WWoHP shots. Very nice! This also gave me the idea to peruse the threads here and check out linked Trip Reports by people whose photos I enjoy


Sharon

 

[leeshiebean]

1. You shouldn't have any issues with a tripod. Lots of people (myself included) use them in the parks. I agree with the suggestion above about getting there early for Illuminations if you want a good spot to set up your tripod. If you're there first and have it set up, people will know and will either decide to stand behind you anyway or find a better spot. As long as you're there first, don't feel guilty once the show starts - they should have gotten there earlier, and you have every right to be set up!

2. I wouldn't worry about being rushed out after Illuminations, either. On our honeymoon, my husband and I wandered around EPCOT until after the official closing time, and I still set up my tripod to take pictures. There was no one around! We slowly made it out of the park and walked back to BWI without any hassles.

I shot this at 11:58pm (I know the EXIF says 10:58, but my camera's clock was off an hour because I never changed it for DST). The park closed at midnight that night (9-12am EMH).

After I shot that, I continued to walk toward the front of Future World for more angles, and then we made our way through the rest of Future World and around World Showcase toward the International Gateway to exit.

This was taken at 20 past midnight. Again, no one around, cast members OR guests!


3. You basically have all the time in the world (or at least until sunrise ) to get night shots ov BC, YC and Boardwalk. Just take a stroll around and depending on the time of year, you might not see many people around, even on the boardwalk.

Taken at 11:30pm in late Sept, you can see the Boardwalk is pretty quiet.


There are lots of opportunities for you to get long exposures of the surrounding area here. Take advantage of staying in such a great location!

4. Keep in mind that you can walk over to HS on the walking path. My husband and I used that rather than the Friendships and it ended up being much faster. Both times, we walked the entirety of the path to or from BWI and HS and never saw a boat go past. If you walk along the path early in the am and take your time getting to HS, you might get some neat shots. The sun rises behind the boardwalk, so the boardwalk itself is in shadow during the am hours. The good part is that the lighting is beautiful during sunset. You could shoot from across the lake or even out on the Friendship dock with a fisheye or wide angle.