Do I REALLY NEED...

[tlcmommyx4]

Time to throw in a quick link back to my UWA advice article/post! I'm far from an expert on the topic, but I have been playing with and learning with my UWA for a bit over a year, and along the way picked up various tips or made various observations in using them that helped me learn the lens and the UWA shooting style...I've posted this in a few forums when folks asked for advice on using UWAs, and added the advice as a guest writer on a blog...so maybe some of these 10 tips might be useful for anyone considering such a lens here and looking for ideas on using them:
http://stphoto.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/10-tips-on-using-a-wide-angle-lens/

There are other tips out there, the UWA thread can give you visual inspiration...so look around and see if any of it helps you decide if a UWA would be a fun pickup for you. And if you got one, maybe you'll get some ideas or inspiration to go out and experiment with it and get your own favorite style.

I just read your tips, which are wonderful, but know I am more confussed than ever. I was wanting a new lens for Disney and I just knew it was the UWA. So I am guessing that you really don't take a lot of family shots with this one. I have 3 lenses that I am going to take and they are the Canon 28-135, Canon 55-250 and my Canon prime 50 1.8 for fireworks. Would the UWA work better for the fireworks?

 

[Docarino]

Would the UWA work better for the fireworks?

Some of that depends on where you are standing. If you're fairly close to the hub, the UWA can work well but if you get too far away, that lens will cause the castle to look quite small. I'm far from an expert but I tend to shoot fireworks wider than I think I'll need and then crop afterwards because I don't want to get half bursts at the edges of my frame. People that are more skilled or know the shows better may compose differently.

 

[mom2rtk]

I just read your tips, which are wonderful, but know I am more confussed than ever. I was wanting a new lens for Disney and I just knew it was the UWA. So I am guessing that you really don't take a lot of family shots with this one. I have 3 lenses that I am going to take and they are the Canon 28-135, Canon 55-250 and my Canon prime 50 1.8 for fireworks. Would the UWA work better for the fireworks?

If you're using a tripod for fireworks, then you won't need the greatest strength of the 50mm f1.8 lens...... its low light capability. But you WOULD be limited by its focal length of 50mm. If you put it on a tripod, any lens should work for fireworks.

I'd have to look, but I think I used my 18-55 kit lens last time I shot fireworks at Disney.

Looking at what you have available, it does appear you are lacking some lens capability on the wide end. I can't imagine not having something at Disney that goes down to 18 at least.

I was thinking of trying to get really close for the fireworks next time and using my UWA, but hadn't considered that it might diminish the size of that castle. That's a good point. If I'm pretty close, like up in the hub area near the castle, does anyone have an opinion on whether that would still be a problem?

 

[WDWFigment]

I was thinking of trying to get really close for the fireworks next time and using my UWA, but hadn't considered that it might diminish the size of that castle. That's a good point. If I'm pretty close, like up in the hub area near the castle, does anyone have an opinion on whether that would still be a problem?

If you're too close, being so close will hurt your view of the fireworks.

 

[mom2rtk]

If you're too close, being so close will hurt your view of the fireworks.

Even WITH the UWA?

Now I might have to rethink my plan...... I want to photograph MSEP with the castle in the background, and I expect it to be REALLY busy that night, so I need to stake out one spot for both. Hmmmm......

 

[C&B Young]

I have 3 lenses that I am going to take and they are the Canon 28-135, Canon 55-250 and my Canon prime 50 1.8 for fireworks. Would the UWA work better for the fireworks?

For reference, here's a shot we took at MNSSHP last year. Our tripod was set up on Main St. USA right outside Casey's & before the path over to the Crystal Palace/Adventureland. It was shot at 25mm (we used the kit lens).

 

[Docarino]

Even WITH the UWA?

Now I might have to rethink my plan...... I want to photograph MSEP with the castle in the background, and I expect it to be REALLY busy that night, so I need to stake out one spot for both. Hmmmm......

Yes, even with the UWA, the closer you get to the castle, the smaller and closer to the castle the bursts are. If you're close up, the castle won't be too small but the fireworks will be tighter.

I've got some shots in my Aug trip report if you want to check out different views- I'd reference them directly here but I'm at work and probably need to get off the boards!

 

[WDWFigment]

Even WITH the UWA?

Now I might have to rethink my plan...... I want to photograph MSEP with the castle in the background, and I expect it to be REALLY busy that night, so I need to stake out one spot for both. Hmmmm......

UWA has no effect on this. It's your perspective in relation to the Castle and fireworks (or something like that). I wouldn't go past Partners.

 

[zackiedawg]

Here's a UWA shot for perspective - at 10mm:

For that shot, I was standing inside where the two ramps come down to ground level, just on the rim of the 'compass' circle that sits on front of the castle stage. In other words, CLOSE! Way inside partners...I was across the street from Partners. This is of course vertical orientation - but as you can see, still quite a bit of sky around the castle despite practically standing on top of it. I honestly couldn't tell you if the fireworks would be compromised from there as I haven't tried it - but it seems you can still get a surprising about of sky in the shot from very close.

 

[WDWFigment]

Here's a UWA shot for perspective - at 10mm:

For that shot, I was standing inside where the two ramps come down to ground level, just on the rim of the 'compass' circle that sits on front of the castle stage. In other words, CLOSE! Way inside partners...I was across the street from Partners. This is of course vertical orientation - but as you can see, still quite a bit of sky around the castle despite practically standing on top of it. I honestly couldn't tell you if the fireworks would be compromised from there as I haven't tried it - but it seems you can still get a surprising about of sky in the shot from very close.

From that location, you'd be able to see 50% of the show, at most. It's not an issue of how much sky you'd have with the UWA.

 

[mom2rtk]

For reference, here's a shot we took at MNSSHP last year. Our tripod was set up on Main St. USA right outside Casey's & before the path over to the Crystal Palace/Adventureland. It was shot at 25mm (we used the kit lens).

Nice shot!

I have just had bad luck with really big heads showing up in the middle of my shots and was hoping to get close and go really wide.

So now you all have me rethinking my plan yet AGAIN! Oh well, what else would I have to obsess about between now and then!

At least I should have a couple tries. We're doing Wishes on 12/13 and MVMCP on the 14th and 16th. I might try the hub once and back by Casey's another time. I do understand that up close I'll miss a lot of the peripheral shots. But I tend to like to focus on castle with some fireworks thrown in for decoration......... so getting the entire view is not necessarily required.

Thanks for all the feedback!

Colleen......... enjoy that new lens and have a great trip!

 

[WDWFigment]

But I tend to like to focus on castle with some fireworks thrown in for decoration......... so getting the entire view is not necessarily required.

Up close, you'll still be able to see the perimeter bursts (with your eyes, at least), it's the bursts behind the Castle you won't be able to see or photograph.

If you're too far inside Partners, the perimeter bursts might be the only thing you'll see.

 

[annnewjerz]

Up close, you'll still be able to see the perimeter bursts (with your eyes, at least), it's the bursts behind the Castle you won't be able to see or photograph.

If you're too far inside Partners, the perimeter bursts might be the only thing you'll see.

So where do you recommend standing and what focal length do you recommend using, Tom? I've only shot fireworks once (at MNSSHP) and wasn't at all happy with what I got. Would like to try again during our February trip.

 

[WDWFigment]

So where do you recommend standing and what focal length do you recommend using, Tom? I've only shot fireworks once (at MNSSHP) and wasn't at all happy with what I got. Would like to try again during our February trip.

The incline in the road about 10 feet towards the Castle from Casey's, 11-16mm cropped. That's my "standard" choice, although I've shot from all over and with a multitude of focal lengths.

Here's the above location and focal length, give or take.

Walt Disney World's Summer Nightastic! Fireworks - 104 Second Exposure by Tom Bricker (WDWFigment), on Flickr

 

[annnewjerz]

The incline in the road about 10 feet towards the Castle from Casey's, 11-16mm cropped. That's my "standard" choice, although I've shot from all over and with a multitude of focal lengths.

And what is your strategy for making you have an unobstructed view? My tripod isn't incredibly tall and the one time I did shoot HalloWishes, someone with a Sorcerer Mickey hat came up and stood right in front of me.

 

[WDWFigment]

And what is your strategy for making you have an unobstructed view? My tripod isn't incredibly tall and the one time I did shoot HalloWishes, someone with a Sorcerer Mickey hat came up and stood right in front of me.

I bark at anyone who comes near me...

In reality, I move if that happens or I have Sarah ask people if they will move. Haven't had a problem in a while as far as that goes.

 

[mom2rtk]

Up close, you'll still be able to see the perimeter bursts (with your eyes, at least), it's the bursts behind the Castle you won't be able to see or photograph.

If you're too far inside Partners, the perimeter bursts might be the only thing you'll see.

That really helps. I've really only seen Wishes a handful of times. We are early morning park goers, so we typically pick just one night to stay for the fireworks.

The incline in the road about 10 feet towards the Castle from Casey's, 11-16mm cropped. That's my "standard" choice, although I've shot from all over and with a multitude of focal lengths.

Here's the above location and focal length, give or take.

Walt Disney World's Summer Nightastic! Fireworks - 104 Second Exposure by Tom Bricker (WDWFigment), on Flickr

Sure .... piece of cake...... I'm sure I can do just this.......... I guess it's something to "shoot" for anyway.........

Really though, I'm sure I've said it before. Stunning shot!

And what is your strategy for making you have an unobstructed view? My tripod isn't incredibly tall and the one time I did shoot HalloWishes, someone with a Sorcerer Mickey hat came up and stood right in front of me.

THIS is my big concern here. I plan on staking our our spot early, but what's the point when someone always can move right in front of you at the last minute? Maybe I should practice my barking?????

I'm pretty sure I'll move farther back for the Holiday Wishes show. We like watching the parade from Main Street near the entrance to the park, so we'll just watch the fireworks from in front of Casey's, then scooch back near the park entrance for the parade. I love watching it come down Main Street right at us!

For those of you who get these great shots near Casey's. Are you up on the curb right outside the entrance to Casey's? In the street? Right across the street that goes to Crystal Palace on the curb?

 

[C&B Young]

THIS is my big concern here. I plan on staking our our spot early, but what's the point when someone always can move right in front of you at the last minute? Maybe I should practice my barking?????

I'm pretty sure I'll move farther back for the Holiday Wishes show. We like watching the parade from Main Street near the entrance to the park, so we'll just watch the fireworks from in front of Casey's, then scooch back near the park entrance for the parade. I love watching it come down Main Street right at us!

For those of you who get these great shots near Casey's. Are you up on the curb right outside the entrance to Casey's? In the street? Right across the street that goes to Crystal Palace on the curb?

We set up right next to another couple shooting the fireworks with a tripod. Strength in numbers I guess, people gave us a pretty wide berth. It also helped that it was a MNSSHP early in the month & it had rained until around 7 pm, so it wasn't crowded at all. We were pretty much dead centre in the middle of the street, with the path to Crystal Palace about 5 or 10 yards ahead.

 

[ColleenG]

Oooh, I like how the discussion has turned. I was thinking about shooting Wishes with my new toy, just to have different pictures for last year. Last year I used my kit lens and set up with the tripod at about the same place by Casey's on the street. I did end up with one tall guy in front of me.

At least he is a little off to the side.

So here is one I took of the tree out in front of my house with the new baby.

I'm amazed how close you can get to things. My cats couldn't figure out why I had the camera whiskers away from their noses.

Here's one of DS3. He found an old binky in the changing table drawer and has resorted to his old ways. I like the distortion on this one.

 

[tlcmommyx4]

THIS is my big concern here. I plan on staking our our spot early, but what's the point when someone always can move right in front of you at the last minute? Maybe I should practice my barking?????

I'm pretty sure I'll move farther back for the Holiday Wishes show. We like watching the parade from Main Street near the entrance to the park, so we'll just watch the fireworks from in front of Casey's, then scooch back near the park entrance for the parade. I love watching it come down Main Street right at us!

For those of you who get these great shots near Casey's. Are you up on the curb right outside the entrance to Casey's? In the street? Right across the street that goes to Crystal Palace on the curb?[/QUOTE]

I think we should ban together, I will be there December 8 thru the 14th and going to do MVMCP on the 9th. Was that one of your dates? We could have power in numbers lol