Calling all photographers!

[bethyylovee]

I want to take lots of night time photos at Disneyland when I go, because it'll be Halloween time. The problem is I'm not used to taking night time photos with no tripod.

What settings do you use when you take pictures at Disneyland at night? I'm not going to bring my tripod because I don't want to have to worry about setting it up and what not.

 

[Namo]

May be on the floor, on your knees.Anything that your camera 'll able to be stability.

 

[RavenRequiem]

For a tripod, my husband and I will use each other's shoulder. It is a good way to brace your hands. I'm going to try my fireworks setting once again probably using that technique. I'm still figuring out settings on my camera so I have no tips there.

 

[Patrick in Oregon]

I want to take lots of night time photos at Disneyland when I go, because it'll be Halloween time. The problem is I'm not used to taking night time photos with no tripod.

What settings do you use when you take pictures at Disneyland at night? I'm not going to bring my tripod because I don't want to have to worry about setting it up and what not.

If you are using a digital camera, chances are, there is a night time setting. Could be called "starry night" "night time" "fireworks" or anything that would suggest that it is dark outside. Is that what you mean by "what settings do you use" ?

Otherwise you are looking at adjusting shutter speed, ISO etc etc - which is all taken care of by the scene settings I mentioned above.

 

[Ancient Purple]

A couple of hints that may help:

I would set my camera to f8 to f16, with a 100 ISO, and on manual.

For the shutter speed, I would test it right out of the gate and play around a bit. This should help you for getting ready for fireworks.

Also, flash OFF. I think you will get better photos with the flash off and a longer shutter speed than the flash on, but you may want to take a few shots and test it.

Now, for stabling the camera without a tripod.

Take your camera to your local hardware store and get a 3/4 inch hex bolt that will fit the opening where you usually attach your tripod. You don't have to worry about the bolt being flush with the base of the camera as you want that extra room.

Now, get some thin, nylon string and a thick washer.

Tie the end of the string to the bolt where the shaft meets the head of the bolt. Tie it as tightly as you can. You may even want to double wrap and tie it. Now, get someone to help you and let the ball of string fall to the floor.

Hold your camera as you normally would to shoot a photo if you were pointing the camera upward (as if you were taking photos of the fireworks or SB's Castle). Have your helper pull the string down taut while you hold the camera in position. Have the helper mark the string.

Now, add about two inches to the length of the string from your camera to the mark your helper made and cut the string. Tie the end of the string to the washer.

You now have a stabilizer for your camera. Simply let the washer fall to the ground and step on it and any length of the nylon string so that you have a tension between the bolt and the washer. This will stabilize your camera for you so that it won't jiggle as much as if you held it free style.

Practicing with it before your trip will help.

And the best part is that when you are done, you can simply roll it up and tuck it away in your camera bag. At the end of the day, simply give it a quick wash in the sink and let it air dry.

I hope that helps!

 

[slackatck]

I use a Manfrotto 709B Table Tripod. I'd post a link, but I'm a loooong time lurking, and this is apparently my first post (!?!)

On top of a trash can, table or railing. Limiting because of the placement, but worth the negligible weight, for sure!

Other than that, a fast stabilized lens and body that can do a passable job at ISO3200-6400 is helpful too.

 

[brendahamlincoln]

I used a gorilla pod which is a small, lightweight, flexible tripod. It has grips on it so you can wrap it around things like a light post or fence. AncientPurple also brought up a great gadget that's cheap and easy. I have a similar device myself and it works great.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Great advice here! If you are without a tripod or solid base and you want to take night scenery shots, here's a trick I learned when shooting with film.

You will shake your camera slightly every time you depress the shutter release button (aka "the button you press to take pictures"). One trick I use to minimize blur from hand movement is to instead take pictures using the camera's timer. By using the timer, I can keep my hands and fingers still and let the camera take the picture for me.

I set the timer for one second/one picture and start shooting! It will take a second longer this way but the pictures turn out noticeably more focused. Try the timer technique with a makeshift 'tripod' - such as the top of a trashcan, another person's shoulder, etc. Impromptu 'tripods' aren't as stabilizing as regular tripods and your finger action will still introduce some movement.

In lieu of using a timer, you can also use a shutter release cable if your camera has an input for it. DSLRs should have one, P&S cameras rarely do.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

Here's a quick demonstration of the difference between using the camera's timer to take pictures and using fingers to depress the shutter release button. In both pictures, I forced the camera to 1/4 second shutter speed, which is a longer exposure and not recommended without a tripod. No tripod was used for these pictures nor did I rest my elbows on anything, I just held the camera in my hands.

My Kittyskyfish (siamese kitty in pic) is the reluctant model...heh!

Picture taken manually (with finger, no timer):

Picture taken with timer:

HTH!!

 

[Elk Grove Chris]

Take a small towel, you can use it to prop your camera on certain items in the park, or the ground for cool angles. Trashcans are everywhere, use them to your advantage at night. You can also lean up against things to stabilize your shot, poles, sides of buildings, trees, etc.

 

[Patrick in Oregon]

Thumbs up for the Washer-stabilizer and the timed shutter-release ideas.

 

[bethyylovee]

Thank you so much for all of these ideas! Super helpful!!

 

[starshine514]

Great advice here! If you are without a tripod or solid base and you want to take night scenery shots, here's a trick I learned when shooting with film.

You will shake your camera slightly every time you depress the shutter release button (aka "the button you press to take pictures"). One trick I use to minimize blur from hand movement is to instead take pictures using the camera's timer. By using the timer, I can keep my hands and fingers still and let the camera take the picture for me.

I set the timer for one second/one picture and start shooting! It will take a second longer this way but the pictures turn out noticeably more focused. Try the timer technique with a makeshift 'tripod' - such as the top of a trashcan, another person's shoulder, etc. Impromptu 'tripods' aren't as stabilizing as regular tripods and your finger action will still introduce some movement.

In lieu of using a timer, you can also use a shutter release cable if your camera has an input for it. DSLRs should have one, P&S cameras rarely do.

I'm totally going to have to play around with the timer. I had never thought about that before, but it totally makes sense!