Colonial Williamsburg - A Different Kind of Theme Park

[YEKCIM]

The title comes from our daughter's comment, upon our first visit to CW, in October, 2007: "Dad! This is a big HISTORY THEME PARK!!" which is a pretty accurate description. She was enamored enough with it to request a return visit this year, as part of our summer vacation (a drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway constituted the balance of the week).

Here are a few shots from our two days in restored Colonial Williamsburg:

~Ed

 

[RBennett]

Great colors Ed! You really got some great shots in there, but I especially love the girl skipping in tennis shoes with a band-aid in Colonial Williamsburg. Is that DD?

 

[Gdad]

Most excellent work Ed! I would say that you are making fine use of the new gear- but I think these have more to do with the shooter than the camera.

 

[YEKCIM]

...I especially love the girl skipping in tennis shoes with a band-aid in Colonial Williamsburg. Is that DD?

Correctamundo (as Arthur Fonzarelli would say...). You can rent a kid's colonial costume at the visitor's center and this was a big deal for her.

Most excellent work Ed! I would say that you are making fine use of the new gear- but I think these have more to do with the shooter than the camera.

You, sir, are very kind, and the compliment is greatly valued.

~Ed

 

[NostalgicDad]

Ed, nice touch on all of those shots. A sense of emotion is certainly felt throughout making it difficult to choose a favorite.

 

[RBennett]

I do have one other question Ed; do you have any tips on how you were able to get the sky so vibrant on the second picture? That's REALLY pretty (but I agree, it's tough to pick a favorite.)

 

[YEKCIM]

I do have one other question Ed; do you have any tips on how you were able to get the sky so vibrant on the second picture? That's REALLY pretty (but I agree, it's tough to pick a favorite.)

I used a CP some while we were gone, but cannot remember if this is one of the places I used it or not. All were shot RAW (Thanks, Jeff) and IIRC, I had to move the "recovery" slider all the way right to hold the highlights in the building, and think I pulled the exposure slider left, too, to keep the highlights from just totally disappearing. The entire image is somewhat underexposed, too, which resulted in a deeper blue sky.

I want to play around with Topaz, when I get a chance, and think this image may be a candidate to experiment with.

Sorry I could not be more helpful.

~Ed

 

[Quicklabs]

Every shot is stunning! The B&W portrait is really special. Mind sharing what lens you used? Thanks for sharing. Makes me want to make a return trip there. It's been a good many years....

 

[WVDisGeek]

Great Shots!

I especially like the black & white one. I have been trying to do some more B&W and this helps keep me motivated!

My parents live about 5 minutes from CW in Williamsburg and I grew up in Yorktown. I must have walked down DOG Street a couple thousand times in my life, but the shots bring me right back.

Did you by chance get to the camera shop just off of DOG street? He has a HUGE collection of old cameras in the window. Worth the trip.

 

[YEKCIM]

Every shot is stunning! The B&W portrait is really special. Mind sharing what lens you used? Thanks for sharing. Makes me want to make a return trip there. It's been a good many years....

I used the 80-200 2.8D, primarily, but mixed in a few from the 16-85VR, as well. One of my primary goals during our two days was to photograph the folks in period costume, and the 80-200 was perfect for that. Lighting was sometimes a challenge, and the best shots were indoors, where sufficient light was coming in thru an open door or a window.

FWIW, the 80-200 (poor man's 70-200VR) is becoming my workhorse/walkaround, despite the weight and bulk, and I plan to use it extensively on our next WDW visit in November.

Great Shots!

I especially like the black & white one. I have been trying to do some more B&W and this helps keep me motivated!

My parents live about 5 minutes from CW in Williamsburg and I grew up in Yorktown. I must have walked down DOG Street a couple thousand times in my life, but the shots bring me right back.

Did you by chance get to the camera shop just off of DOG street? He has a HUGE collection of old cameras in the window. Worth the trip.

We did not know about the camera shop; wish we had. I was amused by your calling Duke of Gloucester Street, "DOG" street. I used that abbreviation in conversation once and my daughter immediately picked it up and began referring to D-O-G Street as Dog Street, probably thinking that was the proper name!

FWIW, I have recently discovered that, at least for me, the best way to do a B/W conversion is to completely desaturate the RAW file, then open in Elements (full blown PS may have better options), and then adjust levels, etc. I had been using the "Convert to Black and White" command, and was just not very happy with the results.

Williamsburg is a great place to visit, a great place to shoot, and a great place to learn about our nation's roots.

~Ed

 

[Golf4food]

Very nice. I haven't been to Williamsburg in about 18 years - I'm sure it has changed a lot since then.

 

[YEKCIM]

Very nice. I haven't been to Williamsburg in about 18 years - I'm sure it has changed a lot since then.

I think you'd be surprised at how *little* it has changed. There are ongoing archaeological and reconstruction projects here and there, and I think some of the "drama" presentations are new, but I don't think the town or the basic presentation has changed much over the years. I believe the intro film, starring Jack "book 'im, Danno" Lord is still being shown at the Visitor's Center.

~Ed

 

[Gdad]

the 80-200 2.8D (poor man's 70-200VR)

WHAT man's poor what? Pssst Ed- I just checked the price at B&H is $1100.

Funny how this hobby keeps pushing and pushing on ones sticker-shock threshold- eh?

I just got me the HOMELESS MAN'S version 80-200 2.8AF Old-School Push-Pull model BTW.

 

[RBennett]

FWIW, I have recently discovered that, at least for me, the best way to do a B/W conversion is to completely desaturate the RAW file, then open in Elements (full blown PS may have better options), and then adjust levels, etc. I had been using the "Convert to Black and White" command, and was just not very happy with the results.

~Ed

WOW!! Again I learned something valuable that I have been wanting to know! I'm always amazed by people's b&w photos that they take, but have never been too happy with my own. I'll have to try it your way because it came out great.

 

[YEKCIM]

WHAT man's poor what? Pssst Ed- I just checked the price at B&H is $1100.

Funny how this hobby keeps pushing and pushing on ones sticker-shock threshold- eh?

I just got me the HOMELESS MAN'S version 80-200 2.8AF Old-School Push-Pull model BTW.

I was fortunate get the 80-200 before the big price increase earlier this year and, in any case, the 70-200VR was (and is) way out of my reach, especially with what I spent on the other gear. No regrets about the decision, though. The AF is quick enough and with the high-ISO capability of the D300, the VR is not essential.

So - when are you going to treat us to samples from the new 80-200HMV?

~Ed

 

[Suburbanmom]

Just told the DH we need to take the kids to Williamsburg. Beautiful pictures!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I love living history museums. Beautiful pictures.

 

[Todd_H]

Great shots, Ed! I think we're taking the kids up there next summer.

 

[YEKCIM]

Great shots, Ed! I think we're taking the kids up there next summer.

Be sure and plan on letting them slop around in the mud pit at the brickmaker's exhibit:

My daughter and I did this and had so much fun. Imagine getting covered in mud, with your parents' blessing!

~Ed

 

[WVDisGeek]

We did not know about the camera shop; wish we had. I was amused by your calling Duke of Gloucester Street, "DOG" street. I used that abbreviation in conversation once and my daughter immediately picked it up and began referring to D-O-G Street as Dog Street, probably thinking that was the proper name!

FWIW, I have recently discovered that, at least for me, the best way to do a B/W conversion is to completely desaturate the RAW file, then open in Elements (full blown PS may have better options), and then adjust levels, etc. I had been using the "Convert to Black and White" command, and was just not very happy with the results.

Williamsburg is a great place to visit, a great place to shoot, and a great place to learn about our nation's roots.

~Ed

I guess I am so used to the locals referring to it as DOG street, I never even thought about it.

The camera shop is Massey's. It is about 2 blocks from the square. It isn't really much of a shop, but the collection in the front window is worth the short walk.

Thanks for the tip on the B&W. I will give it a shot.

I agree that it is a great place to learn about history. Unfortunately, as a kid growing up there and going on every field trip and multiple weekends with my parents, I didn't fully appreciate it until years later!