Character Meal Photo Tips

[TheSpooph]

We are getting closer to our trip (yay!) and I'm starting to think about the best way to capture character meals with my family. We have a variety (CRT, CP, 1900PF, etc).

I'm thinking of either buying a 24 mm prime lens or renting the Sigma 18-35 mm/f1.8.

I'm leaning towards a faster lens than using fill lighting with a flash. Of course, I'm flexible and open opinions.

A little background: I own a Canon crop sensor DSLR. I mainly use my kit lens (18-55 mm with IS) and take family photos. I could use the 24 mm in the future (so it wouldn't be just for our WDW trip) but it would be hard to justify buying the Sigma. But I'm ok with renting it for the length of our trip though.

Thanks!!

 

[TheBigE]

I guess planning is a bit of a key in Character Photos during Meal. Equipment wise it sounds like you are thinking the right way - depending on the lighting Fill Flash may or may not be required.

More than anything I would think about the composition you desire - where the character will stand, family, etc. Get this squared away before the character arrives. Check around for distracting items and make sure they are cleared away and you have a good line for the photo. Nothing ruins a nice photo more than a half glass of Iced Tea in the photo with a straw hanging out.

Take a few practices photos as well to make sure you exposure is correct and you will be ready.

Hope this helps.

 

[mom2rtk]

Fairly wide angle lens plus a flash.

If you're buying the Sigma, make sure you test it out thoroughly before depending on it for your trip. Not sure if they have fixed the issues with it, but it had a terrible reputation for poor focus. I bought one and it was so bad I sent it back and didn't even try a replacement. 1900 Park Fare has terrible lighting, so know going in to watch your white balance and exposure.

One thing I do at character meals is always ask the character if we can move out in the aisle for our photo. It has never been a problem. And it keeps you from getting photos with half empty plates in your shot.

Watch the light in CRT. It's really beautiful coming in those windows, but can also cause back light issues, especially if you decide to go without a flash. I love finding a way to get the windows in the background if I can do it without a backlighting issue. Lighting in the lobby at CRT is horrible.

I like a wider angle lens for this so I can get full length shots without backing into the neighbor's table.

 

[mom2rtk]

Do you have an external flash? If not, I would prioritize that over another lens.

My first choice for a step up lens would be a faster version of your kit lens. 95% of the shots I take at Disney are in that range of focal lengths. With a Canon, the gold standard is the Canon 17-55 f/2.8. It's pricey, but I would consider a used copy of that over most anything else. It's generally considered to be L quality glass without the L distinction. It was my go to lens at Disney until I went full frame.

Sigma and Tamron both make versions of that as well.

 

[TheSpooph]

I guess planning is a bit of a key in Character Photos during Meal. Equipment wise it sounds like you are thinking the right way - depending on the lighting Fill Flash may or may not be required.

More than anything I would think about the composition you desire - where the character will stand, family, etc. Get this squared away before the character arrives. Check around for distracting items and make sure they are cleared away and you have a good line for the photo. Nothing ruins a nice photo more than a half glass of Iced Tea in the photo with a straw hanging out.

Take a few practices photos as well to make sure you exposure is correct and you will be ready.

Hope this helps.

Composition was definitely the biggest lesson learned from our previous trips. I'm normally in the shots with the kids (if they need a protector) and so I'm directing from the wrong side of the lens. But, my DH and I got the hang of it and have some of my fav pics.

I'm thinking a good flash would be worthwhile. I still only have the built in flash - been shopping for a good flash that doesn't break the bank!

 

[TheBigE]

Composition was definitely the biggest lesson learned from our previous trips. I'm normally in the shots with the kids (if they need a protector) and so I'm directing from the wrong side of the lens. But, my DH and I got the hang of it and have some of my fav pics.

I'm thinking a good flash would be worthwhile. I still only have the built in flash - been shopping for a good flash that doesn't break the bank!

Take a look at the Yongnuo YN560 IV Flash ($69.00 on Amazon right now). I have a Nikon SB700 for my Camera and it works well, but also 4 times the price. I have heard good reviews on the Yongnuo Flashes and for the price it maybe worth giving it a go. I am not much for buying off brand equipment for my camera, but here the price/risk and the amount of times I use a flash makes sense for me.

 

[TheSpooph]

Do you have an external flash? If not, I would prioritize that over another lens.

My first choice for a step up lens would be a faster version of your kit lens. 95% of the shots I take at Disney are in that range of focal lengths. With a Canon, the gold standard is the Canon 17-55 f/2.8. It's pricey, but I would consider a used copy of that over most anything else. It's generally considered to be L quality glass without the L distinction. It was my go to lens at Disney until I went full frame.

Sigma and Tamron both make versions of that as well.

Fairly wide angle lens plus a flash.

If you're buying the Sigma, make sure you test it out thoroughly before depending on it for your trip. Not sure if they have fixed the issues with it, but it had a terrible reputation for poor focus. I bought one and it was so bad I sent it back and didn't even try a replacement. 1900 Park Fare has terrible lighting, so know going in to watch your white balance and exposure.

One thing I do at character meals is always ask the character if we can move out in the aisle for our photo. It has never been a problem. And it keeps you from getting photos with half empty plates in your shot.

Watch the light in CRT. It's really beautiful coming in those windows, but can also cause back light issues, especially if you decide to go without a flash. I love finding a way to get the windows in the background if I can do it without a backlighting issue. Lighting in the lobby at CRT is horrible.

I like a wider angle lens for this so I can get full length shots without backing into the neighbor's table.

Thanks for the tips!! We will definitely put them to good use.

The reviews on the new Sigma lens say that quality has gotten better - but I totally hear you. I would rent that one to test drive it. My plan would be to swap it if there was a focus problem - not convenient but we could make it work.

And I'm hunting for a good flash for me - mainly photos of kids doing kid things. I'm leaning toward the Canon 430 III but I'm not 100% ready to pull the trigger.

 

[TheSpooph]

Take a look at the Yongnuo YN560 IV Flash ($69.00 on Amazon right now). I have a Nikon SB700 for my Camera and it works well, but also 4 times the price. I have heard good reviews on the Yongnuo Flashes and for the price it maybe worth giving it a go. I am not much for buying off brand equipment for my camera, but here the price/risk and the amount of times I use a flash makes sense for me.

Thanks for the tip! I haven't looked outside of Canon but the price is tempting!

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks for the tips!! We will definitely put them to good use.

The reviews on the new Sigma lens say that quality has gotten better - but I totally hear you. I would rent that one to test drive it. My plan would be to swap it if there was a focus problem - not convenient but we could make it work.

And I'm hunting for a good flash for me - mainly photos of kids doing kid things. I'm leaning toward the Canon 430 III but I'm not 100% ready to pull the trigger.

I was so disappointed the Sigma lens didn't work out for me. I had great hopes for that thing. My desire to go wider angle in lower light situations drove me to that lens, then ultimately drove me to the 6D. I hope they have worked out the focus issues. I haven't kept up with it since my experience with it in fall 2014.

I have an older 420ex flash I use when I want the most flexibility to bounce flash. I also have the smaller 270ex that I use as my "Disney flash". It has less flexibility in terms of positioning, but I don't tend to get real creative with bouncing the flash when I'm at Disney and focusing on the experience. I just like having an external flash with smaller profile, so it's easier to carry (and really not that expensive).

 

[TheSpooph]

I was so disappointed the Sigma lens didn't work out for me. I had great hopes for that thing. My desire to go wider angle in lower light situations drove me to that lens, then ultimately drove me to the 6D. I hope they have worked out the focus issues. I haven't kept up with it since my experience with it in fall 2014.

I have an older 420ex flash I use when I want the most flexibility to bounce flash. I also have the smaller 270ex that I use as my "Disney flash". It has less flexibility in terms of positioning, but I don't tend to get real creative with bouncing the flash when I'm at Disney and focusing on the experience. I just like having an external flash with smaller profile, so it's easier to carry (and really not that expensive).

That's great to know about the 270ex. I hadn't read about it yet - just its predecessor. I think that flash might be a good compromise on size, price and long term usability. Thanks for the info!!

 

[mcraige]

Do you have an external flash? If not, I would prioritize that over another lens.

This. Its tempting to try to use the fast lenses, but the narrow depth of field is not very forgiving, so you end up trying to sharpen the out of focus areas in post, or you use a smaller aperture and try to fix the lighting in post.

If you do get an external flash, make sure you practice A LOT before going on your trip. This was the first time I took an external flash, and my keep rate was low. Not sure what I was doing wrong, but it kept metering from some random bright spot, which resulted in underexposed pictures.

 

[TheSpooph]

This. Its tempting to try to use the fast lenses, but the narrow depth of field is not very forgiving, so you end up trying to sharpen the out of focus areas in post, or you use a smaller aperture and try to fix the lighting in post.

If you do get an external flash, make sure you practice A LOT before going on your trip. This was the first time I took an external flash, and my keep rate was low. Not sure what I was doing wrong, but it kept metering from some random bright spot, which resulted in underexposed pictures.

I think that's how I'm going to go. I'd still like to play with a faster lens but I feel like a flash might be the most helpful. Thanks for the tip about practicing. Not much time left ... I'll have to practice in a hurry!