Best Disney-related photo advice you've received?

[lhermiston]

It seems like a lot of us use this board to get advice from fellow photographers - from novices to pros - on how to get the best possible photos at Walt Disney World. So, I'm curious, what's the best advice you've received?

And, if you have a photo example to go along with that advice, even better!

It could be something as simple or generic as bringing extra batteries and cards to something specific, like a location to catch a parade or a lens for a certain attraction.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

"Have a plan." That plan can be as simple as, "I'm going to enjoy this trip and leave photography to just snapshots" or "This is a photography trip with a shot list and all the requisite equipment".

 

[cjstarr]

I agree with Gianna'sPapa here. You need to be careful and not get so wraped up in getting pictures and forget why you went in the first place.
I know I have and my better half use to go nuts about but now she has fun and I still have issues like most of us here on the Photography page and I'm sure WDW is not the only place that we are like this, I know I have a problem and it's behind the lens of a camera or camcorder.

I know this is not waht you wanted to know but it is important that you know this up front.
Make sure you understand your camera and how to get the most from it.
Have the lens that will give you the shots you most want, indoor, outdoor, or both and know their strong points and their weakness.
Take at lest 3 batteries and enough memory cards (I use class 10 SD cards).
If you are going to visit all of the parks then I would keep a card ( or cards) for shooting in each park.
I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting but age does strange thing to the mind, .
Just keep the most important thing in mind,

Have Fun First!!!

 

[lhermiston]

I agree with Gianna'sPapa here. You need to be careful and not get so wraped up in getting pictures and forget why you went in the first place.
I know I have and my better half use to go nuts about but now she has fun and I still have issues like most of us here on the Photography page and I'm sure WDW is not the only place that we are like this, I know I have a problem and it's behind the lens of a camera or camcorder.

I know this is not waht you wanted to know but it is important that you know this up front.
Make sure you understand your camera and how to get the most from it.
Have the lens that will give you the shots you most want, indoor, outdoor, or both and know their strong points and their weakness.
Take at lest 3 batteries and enough memory cards (I use class 10 SD cards).
If you are going to visit all of the parks then I would keep a card ( or cards) for shooting in each park.
I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting but age does strange thing to the mind, .
Just keep the most important thing in mind,

Have Fun First!!!

I'm not looking for any specific advice, I just want to learn as much as I can from my fellow photographers before my next WDW trip (date: TBD). I find I learn a lot just from asking questions and learning from others' experiences and mistakes.

And I just like talking shop with other photographers! Keep it coming!

 

[PythonFan888]

I have 2 words for you:

Sunrise.
Sunset.


Castle Sunset by Allen Castillo, on Flickr

The light during these times adds to the magic.

 

[cjstarr]

lhermistonwhat camera are you using and what lens do you have. This will help with the information you receive. Also you might want to do what I did and see if there is a book by David D. Busch on the camera you have.
I use a Sony SLT a57 and find that his guide to Digital Photography on my camera covers everything that my camera will do and how to make the shots I'm looking for.

 

[cjstarr]

I have 2 words for you:

Sunrise.
Sunset.


Castle Sunset by Allen Castillo, on Flickr

The light during these times adds to the magic.

PythonFan888 is this another one of your HDR shots? They are GREAT pictures. I need to learn how to do this, I know my Sony a57 can but it's smarter then I am.

 

[2Tiggies]

PythonFan888 is this another one of your HDR shots? They are GREAT pictures. I need to learn how to do this, I know my Sony a57 can but it's smarter then I am.

Sounds as smart as my D90, which translates to "Too smart for me"

I agree, Allen's HDR shots are amazing. I was trawling through his Flickr Photostream this morning after giving up on all the "Learn how to do HDR" info I could find online which had me more confused after a couple of hours than I was when I typed the words into the Google search bar!

A free eBook changed the way I took photos at the parks last year. It was William Beem's Capture The Magic and the phrase that stuck in my mind was "Think coffee table book"

I do agree with those who caution you not to forget the purpose of your Disney visit. If it's a photography trip, keep it that way. If it's primarily a family vacation, find the balance so you don't sacrifice the enjoyment of time with your family/friends for your photography.

 

[lhermiston]

I have 2 words for you:

Sunrise.
Sunset.


Castle Sunset by Allen Castillo, on Flickr

The light during these times adds to the magic.

That is absolutely amazing! How do you get such vivid color?

 

[lhermiston]

lhermistonwhat camera are you using and what lens do you have. This will help with the information you receive. Also you might want to do what I did and see if there is a book by David D. Busch on the camera you have.
I use a Sony SLT a57 and find that his guide to Digital Photography on my camera covers everything that my camera will do and how to make the shots I'm looking for.

I have a Nikon D5100 and the kit lens.

 

[wbeem]

A free eBook changed the way I took photos at the parks last year. It was William Beem's Capture The Magic and the phrase that stuck in my mind was "Think coffee table book"

I have to give credit for that phrase to Dave Black. At least he's the man I heard say it first, and it makes sense. Your trip is more than just the major scenes. All of those little details also make up part of your experience, too. Shoot the food, shoot the little ornaments around the park, get a nice portrait of a castmember who made your day. You're aiming for those things that will pull your heartstrings after you've returned home because they're also memories.

 

[2Tiggies]

You're aiming for those things that will pull your heartstrings after you've returned home because they're also memories.

You know, in that sentence lies the answer to the much asked question of where to find the balance between photos and family

 

[lhermiston]

I have to give credit for that phrase to Dave Black. At least he's the man I heard say it first, and it makes sense. Your trip is more than just the major scenes. All of those little details also make up part of your experience, too. Shoot the food, shoot the little ornaments around the park, get a nice portrait of a castmember who made your day. You're aiming for those things that will pull your heartstrings after you've returned home because they're also memories.

Hey Will, where could I find a copy of your eBook? Sounds like something I'd like to dive into.

 

[mamaCta]

I have a scrapbooking background, so my shots tend to focus on shots of my family IN Disney, as opposed to landscape shots OF Disney. I guess you could say this is the photobook mentality, but with a different focus for my book.
My husband likes to take pictures of things, and after our last trip he noticed that he preferred to look back on the photos with us in them.

Also, don't waste time trying to get the perfect shot at your family's expense.

I agree with know your camera. Look up and practice optimal settings for a variety of situations. Create yourself a cheat sheet to keep with you if you don't think you will be able to remember on the fly.

Make sure you get in front of the camera as much as possible. I have far too many family outing pictures that would never let you know I was present.

 

[mom2rtk]

I have to give credit for that phrase to Dave Black. At least he's the man I heard say it first, and it makes sense. Your trip is more than just the major scenes. All of those little details also make up part of your experience, too. Shoot the food, shoot the little ornaments around the park, get a nice portrait of a castmember who made your day. You're aiming for those things that will pull your heartstrings after you've returned home because they're also memories.

You know, you think like a scrapbooker. You should give it a try.

 

[wbeem]

Hey Will, where could I find a copy of your eBook? Sounds like something I'd like to dive into.

It's on http://suburbiapress.com.

 

[ChristaDeVil]

It's on http://suburbiapress.com.

AWESOME! So downloading this tonight! Thanks for the link!

 

[mamaCta]

It's on http://suburbiapress.com.

Putting this on my phone so I have it when I'm in the park. Thanks!

 

[lhermiston]

It's on http://suburbiapress.com.

Fantastic. Thanks so much for posting this...and the free book!

 

[PrettyPrincessJen]

Do you guys have any tips/suggestions for photography on DCL? Trying to decide how best to carry my dslr while on board. Anybody have experience with a sling style camera strap?