Disneyland Picture of the Day

[bradk]

tripods won't help with parades. you use a tripod when you need a longer exposure, but a long exposure at a parade will just end up with a blurry photo as the subject moves.

it looks like nostalgicdad simply used his flash in the solider pic which would be the right thing to do anyway (although i could be wrong)

it looks like mommywithdreams did not use a flash on the castle pic which would require a tripod.

in my DEP shot, i didn't use a flash simply because i didn't want to negate the ambient light of pete's dragon. if you've ever seen a flash photo of the DEP, you'll know that what you'll really see is a wire frame of the float and maybe a vague sense of where the lights are.

since i didn't use a tripod or flash, i actually manually controlled the ISO level and shutter speed so that it got enough light to register the photo but didn't stay open long enough to either overexpose it or register any kind of movement from the subject itself. i usually start at a shutter speed of 1/50 or so and tweak it from there.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

I wish I knew what all that meant....how do you adjust shutter speed on a small handheld digital camera...or can you?
Surprisingly...that castle picture I took, was not taken with a tripod. Instead it was a very very VERY steady hand after probably 40 takes of nothing but a blur. That pete picture is amazing.

 

[PryncessChrysty]

I was absolutely in LOVE with the castle this year!

 

[bradk]

that castle picture I took, was not taken with a tripod. Instead it was a very very VERY steady hand after probably 40 takes of nothing but a blur. That pete picture is amazing.

well that works too

you'll have to check your manual to see if you can adjust shutter speed.

 

[NostalgicDad]

it looks like nostalgicdad simply used his flash in the solider pic which would be the right thing to do anyway (although i could be wrong)

No flash used in my parade photos. The photo of the toy soldiers was using ISO 1600 with an f/2.8 lens which resulted in a shutter speed of 1/125 sec. which is plenty of speed to stop the action and avoid blur. For parades, I will typically use aperture priority mode. The D80 handles noise well with the in-camera high ISO noise reduction.

My threshold for handholding and slow shutter speeds comes in around 1/15-1/30 sec. although I've managed a few decent shots down to 1/10-1/6 sec. sans tripod.

I'll always avoid the use of flash if at all possible for various reasons but if you don't have the ability to adjust settings a flash will get you decent shots of a non-electrical parade. But, as bradk mentioned, you never want to use a flash during DEP.

 

[bradk]

well that explains why i shoot in shutter priority mode and not aperture, my canon lenses are f/3.5 minimum. but i'm fairly happy with this shot which was taken with the flash (external) (and at WDW)

i might have to look into third party lenses

 

[NostalgicDad]

i might have to look into third party lenses

Yep, I've been very happy with Sigma when it comes to the faster glass. I'm also getting ready to pull the plug on the Sigma 10-22mm over the Nikon 12-24mm. Image quality is basically the same and cost is $500 less.......no brainer for me.

 

[NostalgicDad]

 

[tinkerbelt]

The D80 handles noise well with the in-camera high ISO noise reduction.

You're telling me!! I have a Rebel XTi, and using high ISO is almost unheard of for me, because the noise is so bad. I wish I would have understood all of that stuff before I bought my camera!

 

[NostalgicDad]

Happy New Year!

 

[diznylnd]

 

[blackjackdelta]

You're telling me!! I have a Rebel XTi, and using high ISO is almost unheard of for me, because the noise is so bad. I wish I would have understood all of that stuff before I bought my camera!

If you have a noise problem due to high ISO you may want to look at the Noiseware software. What I find most folk do not understand "exposure" and post processing tools. Most folk want to pick a cam up and press the button and expect the image to be pristine. Some are luckey, many are not. The photography board has many good tips and all types of situations. Good system, good glass and knowledge make for a better chance to get what you want. NOT TO FORGET THE RIGHT LIGHT.

Good shooting,

Jack

 

[bradk]

 

[Robert TG]

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

I hope no one minds me posting a few pictures from Tokyo Disneyland. Sometimes one photo just doesn't tell the story. This series of 6 photo's was taken of the Cinderella float in the Tokyo Disneyland Electricial Parade. What impressed me was how the changing lights and colors make the float look so very different. I'd never seen Cinderella's dress do this before.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

THat's beautiful Robert...great pics!

 

[Bugdozer]

Thanks a bunch. That was taken with my Nikon D80 and Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 lens.

Happy New Year!

Hi,

AMAZING photos you take I just looked at all your photos in your link and they simply blew me away. I could only wish in my dreams to take pictures as good as yours. A few months back I bought the Sony Alpha 100 dslr. Got a couple of books and quickly became overwhelmed. You have inspired me to pick it up again and learn the darn thing. I really wish I could find a photography class in my area. Today I ordered a Sigma 18-50mm EX F2.8 Digital Lens for my sony alpha. I hope it is similar to what you use in your DL photos. I really want to be able to capture night pictures, parades, and fireworks. Once you take the pictures what software do you use if any to make your colors so vivid. Also how did you get such great non blurry pictures on Big Thunder Railroad. We go to DL in april so I have 3 months to learn my camera Thanks for sharing such amazing and beautiful pictures.

Bug

 

[tinkerbelt]

If you have a noise problem due to high ISO you may want to look at the Noiseware software. What I find most folk do not understand "exposure" and post processing tools. Most folk want to pick a cam up and press the button and expect the image to be pristine. Some are luckey, many are not. The photography board has many good tips and all types of situations. Good system, good glass and knowledge make for a better chance to get what you want. NOT TO FORGET THE RIGHT LIGHT.

Good shooting,

Jack

Thanks, I'll check that out! I haven't been able to use Photoshop for awhile, something on it went haywire and it needs a reinstall. Maybe this will be my motivation to do it and finally get all of these untouched pics off of my hard drive!

 

[NostalgicDad]

Hi,

AMAZING photos you take I just looked at all your photos in your link and they simply blew me away. I could only wish in my dreams to take pictures as good as yours. A few months back I bought the Sony Alpha 100 dslr. Got a couple of books and quickly became overwhelmed. You have inspired me to pick it up again and learn the darn thing. I really wish I could find a photography class in my area. Today I ordered a Sigma 18-50mm EX F2.8 Digital Lens for my sony alpha. I hope it is similar to what you use in your DL photos. I really want to be able to capture night pictures, parades, and fireworks. Once you take the pictures what software do you use if any to make your colors so vivid. Also how did you get such great non blurry pictures on Big Thunder Railroad. We go to DL in april so I have 3 months to learn my camera Thanks for sharing such amazing and beautiful pictures.

Bug

Bug......I very much appreciate and am flattered by your nice comments. I know when I read books on photography, I can't just read through them then apply everything. I take my time and try to apply as I go while actually using my camera. Let the knowledge sink in and repeat it then once you feel comfortable, focus on another area in the same manner. Basically shoot, compare, then shoot some more.

I really don't do any post processing with regards to color. I mainly use Nikon's Capture NX software for making minor adjustments to Levels, D-Lighting, and Unsharp Mask as well as cropping. On night time and especially fireworks pictures, I typically don't do any post processing other than cropping. Trust me when I say not all shots always turn out that good.

And, as far as the shots on BTMR, I was actually pleasantly surprised how well they turned out as well. On those particular shots, I was using the Sigma 18-50 and aperture f/2.8 and ISO 200. The resulting shutter speeds ranged from 1000/sec. to 2500/sec with a few even at 3200-4000/sec. No post processing on those shots.

You can also find a lot of information (and much better pictures) over on the Photography Board. You're sure to find someone with the same camera you have that can answer specific questions on that. Lots of helpful folks there. Thanks again!

 

[diznylnd]

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

I hope no one minds me posting a few pictures from Tokyo Disneyland. Sometimes one photo just doesn't tell the story. This series of 6 photo's was taken of the Cinderella float in the Tokyo Disneyland Electricial Parade. What impressed me was how the changing lights and colors make the float look so very different. I'd never seen Cinderella's dress do this before.

I love seeing the photos from your trip to Tokyo. Please continue to share them!

 

[GailT]

Thanks for sharing those pictures. I don't know about anyone else but me, I am aching to go there, I doubt I will ever be able to afford it but at least I know I can live it through you. The pictures you post are beautiful