Digital Cameras & Castle

[Tamie]

I was wondering how everyone takes digital pictures of the castle/fireworks display at night with your digital camera. I have a Nikon Coolpix 3100 and the last time I was there I couldnt get a good picture of the castle and the different colors. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[okwoodsmith]

I was wondering how everyone takes digital pictures of the castle/fireworks display at night with your digital camera. I have a Nikon Coolpix 3100 and the last time I was there I couldnt get a good picture of the castle and the different colors. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

There are two tips I can give you that will make a huge difference. First of all, turn off the flash. The flash on the camera can only illuminate a short distance in front of the camera. And even if it could illuminate the castle, it would only serve to remove the color on the castle.

Second...because you won't be using a flash and because it's night, it's imperative to use a tripod. The camera will select a slower shutter speed to compensate for the lower amount of light. A slower shutter speed means that the camera will be much more sensitive to motion and the result will be blurry images. The tripod will keep the camera still and you'll get great images.

Below is a link to a page with a few night-time castle shots I took in 2001. I used a much earlier version of your camera the Nikon Coolpix 950. These are not the best images as they are greatly compressed, but my prints look great.

Hope this helps.
JimmieD

LINK TO 2001 Photos

 

[SaraMc]

My digital has a mini tri pod. I set it up on a garbage can and positioned so we got the castle and such. If your camera has a function for night time photo's use that with the flash off. I found it worked better at Illuminations for me but every camera is different.

 

[Lewisc]

If you're taking a night picture of a family member in front of the castle look for a setting that's called night flash (might also be called slow sync). It'll use the flash to illuminate the person but keep the shutter open after (or before) the flash to get the lighting from the background as well.

If you don't have a tripod rest your camera on something. Won't be as good as a tripod but should be better than holding it by hand.

 

[tomerin]

glad i decided to read these postings. very good information. i will certainly use this info on our next trip or my night pics.. thanks

 

[civileng68]

Well first let me say this:

*you need a mini tripod. If you like to photograph, you should never leave without one. Disney is a place that isn't always convenient for a full size tripod but you can get away with a mini. Just put on a table top or in my case, I mostly use the tops of trash cans since they are everywhere.

*Set your shutter speed longer to really increase the value of the photograph (make sure your camera DOES NOT move).

*When trying to be more "photographer-like" and get a great shot, there should be six shots per item, each with difference Aperture, ISO, and shutter speed settings. You eventually get a keeper.

Visit this link for some of my Wishes shots.

Wishes Photographs

 

[88Keys]

I got some really fun shots of the castle at night just by resting my Canon Powershot on the railing or a trashcan and angling it upwards....

 

[oogieboogie]

I agree with all the above posters. The best investment I made was a $10 mini tripod that I took with me every trip.

This June, I spent one evening by myself and went to MK 10 minutes before closing just to take castle pictures. I filled up an entire 256mb memory card (154 pictures) within a space of 30 minutes. Out of that, I got 60 good pictures.I took this first one from the train station, without a tripod and just rested the camera on the railing:

These next ones I took by placing the camera on a trashcan and using the lens cap as a front stabilizer:

 

[jenr812]

Great thread, gorgeous pics. We leave in 21 hours - I need a mini tripod as our regular is too bulky! Ack!!

 

[ANTSS2001]

Great thread, gorgeous pics. We leave in 21 hours - I need a mini tripod as our regular is too bulky! Ack!!

Have a Great Time !!!! You want to take ME with you ???

 

[Tamie]

Thank you for all of your suggestions. I will have to play with my digital camera before I leave in August and purchase a mini-tripod.

I am not sure how to adjust the shutter speed other than shutting off the flash. I guess I will have to mess with it. The 4th of July is here so that would be a great time to try it out.

Thanks again.

 

[Skylarr29]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=828579&referrerid=56521 try this also