Anyone willing to give me some advice?

[NLD]

NLD,

For #1, are you saying to use slow-sync mode in that example?

Thanks,

Kevin

Yes, you can. That would allow you to use a lower ISO, longer shutter speed, smaller aperture... and still get your subject sharp. (With the flash freezing the movement of the subject.) Just be aware if you're using a long shutter speed, you migth have motion blur in the background, from camera shake. If you put the camera on a tripod, then you don't have to worry about it.

I actually kept my ISO pretty high in the posted examples and just used the flash to expose for my subject and/or supplement the natural light.

Basically with flash (and I'm NOT a flash expert, so maybe others can help more)... there are two exposures: the ambient (background) and the flash. You want to get both correct so you don't end up with an over-exposed subject or a correctly exposed subject with a completely dark background.

Do you have any recommendations for a tripod that is easy to carry around and not too bulky? Also needs to be relatively reasonable in getting delivered to Ireland.

Thanks once again!

Now you've done it! Tripod discussions can get passionate on this board!

Honestly I don't have specific recs, but here's a rule of thumb with tripods:

Three qualities everyone wants in a tripod:

Sturdy
Light
Inexpensive


Generally speaking, you can have two of three... but not all three.

Sturdy + light = expensive

Sturdy + inexpensive = heavy

Inexpensive + light = not very sturdy


You have to decide what's most important to you.

With a crop body camera and kit lens, at Disney in non-windy conditions, I did okay with cheap + light.

 

[NLD]

Check out your flash modes "curtain sync" settings. Depending on the exact look you are going for, this can help with your background exposure using a flash. Basically, it will leave the shutter open a little longer after the flash to allow for better exposure for the background. It may take a little practice and can be tricky if you are planning on capturing people and fireworks.

On the other hand, it does not have to be all that complicated. The pictures below were taken hand-held with a Canon Powereshot s100.

True, fireworks and night shots can be taken handheld!

And you wouldn't want flash for fireworks, at all. (Hope that was clear!)

You're just going to run into the limitations of your lens going handheld at night. Personally I don't think I could have pulled it off with a kit lens and a ceiling of 1600 ISO.

 

[NCtoFL]

Yes, you can. That would allow you to use a lower ISO, longer shutter speed, smaller aperture... and still get your subject sharp. (With the flash freezing the movement of the subject.) Just be aware if you're using a long shutter speed, you migth have motion blur in the background, from camera shake. If you put the camera on a tripod, then you don't have to worry about it.

I actually kept my ISO pretty high in the posted examples and just used the flash to expose for my subject and/or supplement the natural light.

Basically with flash (and I'm NOT a flash expert, so maybe others can help more)... there are two exposures: the ambient (background) and the flash. You want to get both correct so you don't end up with an over-exposed subject or a correctly exposed subject with a completely dark background.

Thanks. Thinking about flash photography makes my head hurt. I need to put the kids to work, ( as subjects ), and practice.

BTW, cheap and light seemed to work fine when I carried a tripod in the parks. It seemed sturdy enough to me, while at the same time I would not put any distance between myself and the cheap tripod while my camera+lens was sitting on it.

 

[photo_chick]

I used to shoot primarily with a Rebel XT (350D) and a 50mm f/1.8 for low light shots. These aren't Disney, but they are low light parade shots with the 50mm f/1.8 and a camera similar to yours. Disney's parades are brighter than Six Flags, so keep that in mind as well...

http://photo-chick.smugmug.com/Other/parade/9306343_PhPjL2

With that camera and lens, because it was so light (the 400D is about the same) I could pull off shutter speeds as low as 1/15 without bracing myself against anything. It's such a light combination that it lets you get away with things you can't with heavier lenses and cameras. With my 50D I have trouble getting 1/30 since it's so much heavier so I'll still pull out the old Rebel sometimes for things.

 

[Emma1987]

Are there any stores in the vicinity of Disney where I could buy a tripod?

 

[NLD]

I used to shoot primarily with a Rebel XT (350D) and a 50mm f/1.8 for low light shots. These aren't Disney, but they are low light parade shots with the 50mm f/1.8 and a camera similar to yours...

http://photo-chick.smugmug.com/Other/parade/9306343_PhPjL2

With that camera and lens, because it was so light (the 400D is about the same) I could pull off shutter speeds as low as 1/15 without bracing myself against anything. It's such a light combination that it lets you get away with things you can't with heavier lenses and cameras. With my 50D I have trouble getting 1/30 since it's so much heavier so I'll still pull out the old Rebel sometimes for things.

Nice pictures, photochick. And good point about the lighter camera and lens combo.

I am now so used to FF that 1/15 doesn't even enter my head as a possibility!

 

[manning]

Polarizer filter.

 

[Emma1987]

Are there any stores in the vicinity of Disney where I could buy a tripod?

Anyone have an answer to this one ?

Also, thanks Manning. I've just bought a Hoya polarizer online !

 

[reimero]

Are there any stores in the vicinity of Disney where I could buy a tripod?

Depends on what you mean by "vicinity" (driving distance? Walking distance?) I know there are photo stores inside the parks themselves, the one in Magic Kingdom supposedly carries accessories. But you're going to pay resort prices.

 

[reimero]

Hi

I'm a Canon user. Granted, I've a very standard SLR. a 400d to be precise. I only use the 18-55 lens. I don't have the money to buy a more expensive lens, although I would eventually like a 70-300mm lens.

I want to be able to take nice shots when I go to Orlando this year. By "nice shots" I mean, bring out the colour in the skies and trees without too much editing, nice sharp images. I want them to be as natural as possible. I'd also like to be able to take really nice pictures at night without the flash and still have a sharp (ish) image.

How do I get these effects with the settings on the camera?

Probably too much to ask, but I'm hoping someone can help out!

Emma

Just to get back to the original question here (i.e. spending very, very little money and trying to make the most of existing equipment)...

A circular polarizer is a very good thing to have for daytime outdoor shots. It's not so useful indoors or at night, but it's definitely a good investment.
The next one is a little harder and requires a little more experimentation: learn how to manipulate your White Balance settings. This is something I'm learning myself, but here's a good source:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/whitebalance.htm
And here's a related article with some other settings-based suggestions:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/camera-adjustments.htm

Finally, I suggest taking lots and lots of pictures, but make subtle adjustments until you get that "aha" moment. Then remember what you did and save it for the next time you're in a similar situation.

 

[Emma1987]

Reimero, once again someone with great advice. Thanks for those links. I do have to work on my white balance technique. I just find it difficult looking for decent practice shots.

 

[Emma1987]

Depends on what you mean by "vicinity" (driving distance? Walking distance?) I know there are photo stores inside the parks themselves, the one in Magic Kingdom supposedly carries accessories. But you're going to pay resort prices.

Well I'm staying in Beuna Vista Palace and I remember from the last time I was in Orlando we went to a shopping complex where there was a radio shack . I'm just looking for a tripod that I can buy over there and leave there so I don't have to worry about packing it going home

 

[boBQuincy]

Well I'm staying in Beuna Vista Palace and I remember from the last time I was in Orlando we went to a shopping complex where there was a radio shack . I'm just looking for a tripod that I can buy over there and leave there so I don't have to worry about packing it going home

There are Target, Walmart, and Best Buy stores not far away (Kissimmee), all of these usually have tripods from about $20. There may be a Ritz/Wolf Camera store nearby also.

 

[Emma1987]

There are Target, Walmart, and Best Buy stores not far away (Kissimmee), all of these usually have tripods from about $20. There may be a Ritz/Wolf Camera store nearby also.

Thanks a lot bob!

 

[Disneymad]

I 2nd the recommendation for a polarising filter, it does wonders for daytime shots when it's sunny, gives you a really vibrant blue sky.

Also, tripods are good ofc but you have to lug them around too. You might want to consider a Gorillapod, really dinky little tripods that have bendy legs so are great for uneven surfaces or you can wrap them around fences or even branches! Not as good as the real deal ofc, but make for a great compromise imo when trekking around the parks and it's so light and small you can always keep it with you.

I got both of mine really cheap off Amazon UK.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I know that you are looking for a "throwaway" tripod, but if I might recommend a travel tripod, the below is one that I use. It weighs less than three lbs., folds flat (13 inches long without ballhead attached) and converts to a monopod. Because it folds flat, it fits very easily in almost any suitcase. It also fits into the water bottle holder on the side of my backpack so I have it with me all the time. Its pretty sturdy for a lightweight tripod, but I do stabilize it further by hanging my bag on it.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/799992-REG/Cullmann_CU_53583_MAGIC_TRIPOD_SYSTEM_w_CB.html


Tripod Backpack by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr


IMGP0299 by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr


IMGP0300 by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr

 

[Emma1987]

I know that you are looking for a "throwaway" tripod, but if I might recommend a travel tripod, the below is one that I use. It weighs less than three lbs., folds flat (13 inches long without ballhead attached) and converts to a monopod. Because it folds flat, it fits very easily in almost any suitcase. It also fits into the water bottle holder on the side of my backpack so I have it with me all the time. Its pretty sturdy for a lightweight tripod, but I do stabilize it further by hanging my bag on it.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/799992-REG/Cullmann_CU_53583_MAGIC_TRIPOD_SYSTEM_w_CB.html


Tripod Backpack by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr


IMGP0299 by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr


IMGP0300 by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr

That a really good tripod you have there! I checked out prices on BHPhoto. I might just go with a monopod. But I do plan on buying over there rather than the hassle of taking up weight in a case. My dad has suggested a monopod too. Suppose I'll have to weight up all the options!
Kinda difficult with a weight limit when you're travelling internationally.

 

[wbeem]

A monopod is not a tripod. Your hand shake will move it around.

 

[Emma1987]

Yeah I know it's not a tripod, but I'm thinking of a space saver too. I only have a 400d, and I'm not fantastic at using the Manual modes, so I'm thinking maybe it's not worth my while getting a tripod.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

If you want to get those really cool night shots, including fireworks, the tripod is "almost" a necessity. I only get to WDW every 1 1/2-2 years so I have to get what I can, when I can and still interact with the family to enjoy the trip. I also deal with weight issues for flying. It took a while for me to find a tripod that was light, fairly sturdy and compact enough to fly. I use my camera backpack as one of my carry-ons and the less than three lbs. works wonderfully. Besides fitting on the side of my camera bag, it can also lay flat in my carry-on suitcase, making it very easy to store if I want. I have carried it both ways. The fact that it converts to a monopod is a plus. I like to have all my equipment with me because it never fails that the one time I can get the shot of a lifetime, I'm lacking the required piece of equipment! Good luck on your choices and I hope you have a wonderful photographic trip.