Castle pics?

[de8212]

I'll be at Mk near the end of May and wanted to get some good shots of the castle. I want to emphasize good because I do not have a DSLR. I will be using my lowly Canon SX40. Not looking to win any awards but would like a few solid shots of the castle in the day/evening/night.

Would anyone be willing to share some settings for such a task? I'll also have 2 small kids with me so I really won't have a ton of time to shoot 100's of pics and keep the best of the bunch (although I will shoot as many as possible).

Thanks for any tips.

 

[NLD]

Best thing you can do is shoot when the light is good. First thing in the morning, and late afternoon/evening before the sun goes down.

Also, try the castle from various angles. Get low down and shoot up at it. Get the rear side. Walk around it and take pictures from the sides.

 

[2Tiggies]

I second the tip to shoot at different angles. So many photos are taken of the castle straight on, and by all means, get some of those; but I love having something a little 'different' and playing with various angles is a great way to do this.

Also, seeing you mention that you have young children, I'm sure you will want some photos of them in front of the castle too. If you decide to get them to stand in front of the castle you may find yourself having to step back to get the whole icon to fit into the frame. If this happens, get the kids to step closer to you so that they don't look lost in the distance (the Photopass photographers do this, but many people don't seem to notice that there is a reason for it)

If you can get to the park for rope drop or if you are onsite and are able to make use of morning magic hours, it is well worth getting up early for as you won't have the challenge of people constantly walking in front of you while you try take your shot.

 

[de8212]

Thanks. i'll keep your tips in mind. I do want to get some night shots as well.

I know high ISO would be best (although I can't get up to DSLR levels). Higher shutter speed is best but not if moving, right? And I'm not sure about Aperture.

 

[wbeem]

Folks are giving you good advice about the light. I'd also look for some kind of support. You can get a GorillaPod or small tripod to keep your camera still during the shot. Hands shake, so supports really do help you come up with a better, sharper photo.

 

[2Tiggies]

Folks are giving you good advice about the light. I'd also look for some kind of support. You can get a GorillaPod or small tripod to keep your camera still during the shot. Hands shake, so supports really do help you come up with a better, sharper photo.

As you have children in tow I imagine you won't want to be carrying a tripod around and those GorillaPods could be a very convenient answer for you. Failing that, I have been known to use those lovely flat topped trash cans on many occasions .......

Also, using the self timer on the camera will help reduce camera shake that occurs when you press the shutter at slow shutter speed

 

[mom2rtk]

For low light shots, you will definitely want some support. The trash cans, gorillapod and tripod suggestions are good. If you decide to bring a tripod, remember they do rent lockers in the MK you can leave it in during the day.

 

[NLD]

Yes for night shots you want to stabilize the camera and actually use a low ISO and long shutter speed, if your camera allows it.... and the self timer so you don't have to touch the camera.

 

[p17blo]

All of these taken with a Canon SX40 - If you would like specific I can get you the EXIF

Cinderella Castle at Sunset by P17blo, on Flickr

Cinderella Castle from behind by P17blo, on Flickr

Cinderella Castle in Blue by P17blo, on Flickr

Cinderella Castle in Turquoise by P17blo, on Flickr

Cinderella Castle in Pink by P17blo, on Flickr

 

[de8212]

Thanks for the offer. I actually just got back from WDW on Saturday. Here are a few of the "better" pics I got even though they are not great. I took tons of pictures so it just wan't possible to play around with the settings and some of the various things I should have done with 2 kids.

Night shots were tough. Crowds and tired kids made any night shot difficult.

The best one IMO

For some reason Photobucket seems to sometimes do weird things with the quality. 99% of the time the pics look better before i upload them.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I'm glad p17blo posted those shots from an SX40, because that camera is no slouch, not by anybody's definition!

I was/am seriously considering getting one on short notice for my trip in 4 days to have something slightly better to carry around when I don't want to take my 60D. I want a superzoom/bridge in my bag and I don't have one right now. Truth is, I have a NEX5 and several other cameras and I'm just looking an excuse to buy something else.

Don't get me wrong, the SX40 is one of the, if not the, best bridge cameras out there. It really only gets poor reviews on the screen (Who cares!). The competing Nikon (P510, maybe?) gets great reviews too. If the SX40 hadn't been introduced almost a year ago, I would probably buy one today, but I'm probably gonna wait since the "SX50" is inevitable (IMO) and I really can wait. I suspect it's coming in Sept. or slightly earlier since the one year anniversary of the SX40 is in Sept.

 

[p17blo]

I was/am seriously considering getting one on short notice for my trip in 4 days to have something slightly better to carry around when I don't want to take my 60D.

Don't get me wrong, the SX40 is one of the, if not the, best bridge cameras out there. It really only gets poor reviews on the screen (Who cares!). The competing Nikon (P510, maybe?) gets great reviews too. If the SX40 hadn't been introduced almost a year ago, I would probably buy one today, but I'm probably gonna wait since the "SX50" is inevitable (IMO) and I really can wait. I suspect it's coming in Sept. or slightly earlier since the one year anniversary of the SX40 is in Sept.

I have the 60D also - Absolutely LOVE that camera. If I feel strong, I take the 60D and all the lenses - If I really can't be bothered and want something a little lighter I take the SX40 and in some situations I even just throw a SX230 HS into my pocket which is amazing capable also.

But you are right, the bridge sectors is moving at an amazing rate at the moment and I think this is an area you can most easily switch you manufacturer allegiance. The Nikon P510 with it's 42x zoom is VERY difficult to resist to a buyer wanting a bridge at the moment.

I do, on occasions, get frustrated with the lack of immediacy with the bridges (and P&S) that you get with the SLR. There are occasions I just the shutter to click, but oh, no it's decided to recalculate the million and 1 things it takes into consideration to get the best possible shot. And manual focus - Sheesh - Don't get me started on that - Talk about difficult!