Best Empty Park Photo Ideas

[scmbaby]

We have scored early morning Breakfast reservations at both Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. I am so excited to get the opportunity to take empty park pictures with my 6 year old triplets. I know I will have no more than 15 or 30 minutes to take pictures and I don't want to waste such a great opportunity trying to figure out the best locations and creative compositions on the fly. I'm so afraid that I will end up with a few blah photos of my kids standing/slouching in front of the castle. I'm trying to plan some creative compositions ahead of time so I go in with a plan. Would anyone be willing to share their great pre park opening photos so that I have a few ideas in mind before our trip in November? Thanks!

 

[mom2rtk]

Don't forget to take some shots from behind. I like shots from behind walking up the ramp to the castle.

Give yourself a few minutes after the breakfast crowd is let in so the initial crowd clears.

What is the boy/girl makeup of your group?

 

[scmbaby]

I have two boys and 1 girl......triplets. They usually will do the fake smile thing unless I can get them focused on laughing and having fun. But, I won't have a ton of time to get their mind off photos. I've only been to Disney once before and I can't think of the important compositions on the fly very well. I was hoping to see some example shots from other photographers to get some ideas for my family. Thanks for your input!!

 

[renoldscott]

You have shared great ideas...

 

[Groucho]

The problem is that you won't be the only family with that idea! You might have a few minutes of castle time with no one behind you, but you'll have little chance of getting a shot of, say, an empty Main Street all the way back to the castle. At least, I certainly couldn't, and my castle photos usually still had one or two families in the background.

Upon taking a closer look at my shots - you'll also have Photopass photographers there, up to the front of the hub, and I suspect they'll make sure you don't wander off too much, either. Either way, you'll likely not be able to get a completely empty shot. But certainly much less crowded than normal!

 

[mom2rtk]

The problem is that you won't be the only family with that idea! You might have a few minutes of castle time with no one behind you, but you'll have little chance of getting a shot of, say, an empty Main Street all the way back to the castle. At least, I certainly couldn't, and my castle photos usually still had one or two families in the background.

Upon taking a closer look at my shots - you'll also have Photopass photographers there, up to the front of the hub, and I suspect they'll make sure you don't wander off too much, either. Either way, you'll likely not be able to get a completely empty shot. But certainly much less crowded than normal!

The spots up closest to the castle are the best for an empty crowd shot. If you let the initial crush of breakfast patrons get past, you can usually get some without anyone else.

IMG_7931 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7938 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[fritodenny]

I got this shot last week, but there were alot of people behind me.

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[kwheel]

What kind of camera and lens do you use? I know cel phone would be easier but I don't think the photos will be as nice. I have a canon xti but not sure what kind of lens to take. I don't want to lug a big camera bag around.

 

[fritodenny]

This is my D5200, Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3, and $7 shipped bag from ebay. I had a 35mm F1.8 in my room and never even put it on. I took this bag almost everywhere with me for the week that I was there. It wasn't as cumbersome as I thought it would be because I do not like carrying anything in the parks.

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[Groucho]

What kind of camera and lens do you use? I know cel phone would be easier but I don't think the photos will be as nice. I have a canon xti but not sure what kind of lens to take. I don't want to lug a big camera bag around.

I think the usual opinion around here is, why have a nice camera if you don't take it to such a photogenic place? You'll thank yourself later for carrying something better than a cell phone for photos.

 

[Emma1987]

Loving all of these ideas. I've always wanted to photograph the parks before & after closing. From all the photos I've seen it always looks so peaceful...