dark ride photography

[Angrypenguin]

I agree, the king of Disney low light!

That bride gives me the heebie jeebies.....

 

[thecapells]

Okay, so how do all you "professionals" get sweet dark ride shots without the flash?
Mine usually come out grainy after having to brighten them with various photo programs...

 

[zackiedawg]

Almost everyone who has had successful shots of dark rides has used most or all of the following:

1. A DSLR that has decent high ISO capability of at least 1600 or more.
2. A low-light lens with a nice, big aperture like an F1.7 or F1.4
3. Post processing that includes noise-reduction software to remove graininess

A DSLR will be able to shoot at ISO800 or 1600 with similar noise/grain as a P&S might at ISO400...and some even better than that. But in general, even a basic DSLR is going to be better at handling noise and grain at higher ISOs than the best P&S models.

That said, even the very best DSLRs in the hands of the pros will generate some noise or grain at high ISOs needed for these types of shots, so most if not all of us have had to use some noise reduction software in post processing to clean up the shots a bit more to make them look nicer. You can do the same with shots from a P&S too...but the noise us generally much higher, and therefore more destructive to the fine details in the shot.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Basically, yes, you are out of luck. I plan to start a How To thread on getting shots on dark rides. Even with the best of techniques, you are going to be limited by the capability of your camera and your lens.

It is also worth noting that not all dark rides are the same. The vary from dim rides like It's A Small World to really dark, fast rides like Rockin' Roller Coaster and Space Mountain. Some camera's can stretch to get shots on IASW or Journey Into Imagination. It takes another class of cameras to get shots on PotC or HM. I've yet to see an even vaguely useful shot on Dinosaur, Space Mountain, or Rockin' Roller Coaster.

 

[Todd_H]

It is also worth noting that not all dark rides are the same. The vary from dim rides like It's A Small World to really dark, fast rides like Rockin' Roller Coaster and Space Mountain. Some camera's can stretch to get shots on IASW or Journey Into Imagination. It takes another class of cameras to get shots on PotC or HM. I've yet to see an even vaguely useful shot on Dinosaur, Space Mountain, or Rockin' Roller Coaster.

Definitely agree with Zackiedawg and Mark. You always hear "it's not the camera, it's the photographer," and in most cases that is true. However, that's not entirely true on dark rides. You will be limited by your equipment's limitations.

I'm going to try some shots on Dinosaur when we head down in September. I'm not banking on much, but I do remember there are a couple of times where the car stops completely (the big carnosaur at the end comes to mind vividly , but there are also the flashes of the ride camera taking your picture at that spot, so we'll see how it goes). I don't think RnRC is capable of being photographed at all (ON the ride that is) and the only decent shots of Space Mountain I've seen are in the blue and red tunnels at the beginning and end of the ride.

 

[boBQuincy]

I have a basic automatic camera - it's a Canon Powershot SD1100 IS.
Nothing fancy - so am I just out of luck?

I have a Canon SD1100, it is a nice camera but unfortunately it is not useful for taking photos on dark rides. On the other hand, a SLR does not fit in a pocket!