Some one wrote me privately asking for photo tips, and I figured I would share my reply on the board for any others who might be interested- or add to it. This is edited from a bit I wrote many years ago for another list....
I do have a good photo tip, but it might not be happily received by some. And I actually got it from Kodak, maybe even on one of their tip boards they used to have at MK.
[Actually, it was GAF- remember Henry Fonda?- the original photography sponsor in the Magic Kingdom, and each day's MK pamphlet included a page of photo tips! I think I have that posted on one of my album sites.]
I forget how it actually went, but it is basically the idea that your photos, for the most part, should show the scenery, not your people. Of course, not having any people myself, this one is easier for me, but I have seen some collections where 95% of the pictures are of the family in front of "xxx", and they could have just as well been taken at home.
On the other hand, some of those photos are great! I mean, sometimes there is the cutest kid with the twinkle in her eye, or Dad catching the spirit, or, like one I have of a friend I took, looking quite, er, "attractive" with the Mayor on Main Street.
But these should be accents to the picture story, not the essence of it
for the general public, ie, publicly shared albums: if you didn't know anyone in the photo, would you find the shot interesting?
My own tip is, get the shot that
hasn't been taken already. We have all seen (and love!) the shot of the statue of Walt and Mickey in front of the Castle. I mean, I realize that everyone
has to take that shot! Every trip! I do it myself! In fact, if a CM sees you with a camera and you don't take that picture, they immediately inform the medics of a possible medical situation! But can you find another shot of the castle? One that no one has shot before?
Sometimes just stepping a foot to one side shows a whole nuther possibility!
I did a complete reverse, taking the shot from the Castle itself, looking out over the statue of Walt at the crowd on Main Street making its way out! Awesome shot, but not good lighting.
If you look at my recently posted Epcot Flower and Garden show album [2004 I think] you will find my 100th or so picture of the Mission Space building. I think that is one of the best I have ever taken, and is nothing like anything ever seen before. Not only did I find an excellent viewpoint, but I had perfect weather conditions!
I have another shot I put up some time ago of a rare vantage point of Splash Mountain that was requested for use by some WDW fan site as the best he had ever seen of it.
The photo must not only be of interest subject wise, but also must be a pleasant work in its own right. Three of my recent photos are good shots regardless of the Disney aspect. In other words, they would be found enjoyable by someone who hadn't ever hear of Disney- you know, those people living on the moon: the MS shot is one of those.
The beauty of digital, is the freedom to take hundreds of shots at no cost. When I was using film, I would hope for two good shots out of a roll (36). That was kinda expensive! [Even then I shot 3 or 4 rolls a day!] When I was out in California in 02, I was shooting roses- they are *always* in bloom and quite unbelievable to this eastern city boy. I think I have about 500-700 shots of roses! A lot of them are good, but a dozen or so are exceptional.
This freedom to shoot has really opened up my activity with the camera and as a result, sharpened my eye, and thus I have more usable shots. Practice and experience.
The toughest thing I face at Disney is always the lighting, both on rides, and outside where the day's weather is so determinate of what you can get. I suppose pro's with filters and all can deal with that a lot better than I. One of the shots in my Epcot album is a wonderful layout, but the lighting killed it. (Roses foreground left, pots floating in pond in distance)
I am shooting with the purpose of getting good photos, not just taking snapshots as a record of the trip. Remember, I go every two weeks, [used to] often, just to shoot, so this is a bit different for someone who only gets to The World once a year, or once a lifetime. The excitement of that overrides any other considerations and the only "tip" I could give there is, carry LOTS of film into the park- they charge a fortune on-property!
Another thought is to think of close ups, detail shots, if your camera can handle it. Disney is all about details! (Just like "Aliens are all about rules")
That is the end of the original, but I would like to add... when one posts a collection, an album, of pictures, edit them first! Do not post every picture you took! Tell the story! And rotate them if needed! And do not have the date printed on the image! Pet peeves! Thank you for listening!
Links to my albums in my signature.
Jud
