Does anyone not bring a camera when they to disney?

[jina]

We don't take a separate camera - our smart phones give us good shots we use for looking at on a computer or posting to stuff like Facebook. The past 2 years we've also done photopass plus once per year (once at DL, once at WDW) which was a great treat to get some great quality photos as well. Some we made enlargements of and they're hanging on the walls.

We don't try to capture every moment - just every once in awhile when we have a "wow!" experience (a few per day usually). My folks are the "stop and pose every 2 minutes" people - drives me nuts. By the time they finish getting everything set up we're no longer in the mood to smile.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

We use our smartphones...does that count?

I understand not wanting cameras. When I go by myself or with other adults, we maybe take one group shot and that's it, but I do take a ton of pictures of my kids because those are memories I want to carry with me and pass on to my grandkids someday. I don't take pictures every few minutes or anything, but a few good shots of my kids smiling are more important than any souvenir.

 

[initiation]

I've gone without a camera several times. I also, have been trying to live life with my eyes and experience things without a lens. I suggest bringing your smartphone plus a backup battery just in case you find yourself taking pictures with your phone.

 

[Mickeybell]

We always take pictures and I print them and put them in photo albums. My kids and I look at them whenever we are missing Disneyland and it helps us re-live the magic. I honestly couldn't imagine not having a photo album of each of our trips (we go about once a year). It is so fun to see how much they have grown from year to year. Actually one year our memory card was corrupted and we lost our first day in the parks. I was so disappointed. Then I paid way too much for a new memory card at Disneyland so I could still get my pictures.

 

[AriesAriel]

Yesterday I noticed an awful lot of people with selfie sticks. I'm fine with people bringing cameras but the selfie sticks are really annoying. It is natural to want to capture that Kodak moment at a special place like DL but don't stick a metal rod in my face while you do it.

A guy on ToT with us had one, and recorded the whole ride. When the ride goes pitch black and you have the camera light going the whole time?? Yeah... I almost got snarky with a "thanks for the night light buddy"...

 

[disneychrista]

I bring a camera but hardley ever take a photo. I don't feel the need to document everything. I like being in the moment.

Next trip, May 2016?, I might not even bring a camera.

 

[Sherry E]

Okay, I have to point out, with all due respect, that whenever someone says something like "I like being in the moment," or shares how they don't need to take photos of every little thing, or however the sentiment is worded, I think that -- unintentionally -- it carries some sort of vaguely negative connotation in regards to those of us who DO take lots of photos, or it somehow implies that those of us who DO take lots of photos are not in the moment.

The impression that I'm getting is that the people who choose to not take photos are somehow looking at what the rest of us do in a negative light. This is why I said in an earlier post -- we are enjoying the parks in our own ways, which may be different than how the non-photo takers choose to enjoy the parks. It's not a bad thing or a negative thing. It's just different. We're all different. And we are in the moment -- but we are in the moment in a different way than other people are.

 

[mom2rtk]

Okay, I have to point out, with all due respect, that whenever someone says something like "I like being in the moment," or shares how they don't need to take photos of every little thing, or however the sentiment is worded, I think that -- unintentionally -- it carries some sort of vaguely negative connotation in regards to those of us who DO take lots of photos, or it somehow implies that those of us who DO take lots of photos are not in the moment.

The impression that I'm getting is that the people who choose to not take photos are somehow looking at what the rest of us do in a negative light. This is why I said in an earlier post -- we are enjoying the parks in our own ways, which may be different than how the non-photo takers choose to enjoy the parks. It's not a bad thing or a negative thing. It's just different. We're all different. And we are in the moment -- but we are in the moment in a different way than other people are.

Very well said, Sherry! I feel the same way.

Disney photography is one of my favorite hobbies. I love looking back through the photos later. It's almost like getting to relive our trip. There's nothing wrong with leaving the camera at home just as there is nothing wrong with taking it. No need to judge either choice. Although I agree the comments about not "living life through a lens" do have a negative connotation.

 

[kylie71]

Very well worded Sherry...
We take pictures of every little thing, because I find Disney interesting, the sign's, the colors...
Nothing wrong with going slow, and taking pictures of something we enjoy..
To each their own. Disneyland
to many of us, is just not an amusement park with a mouse, it has such history, and has evolved into so much more.
--Lori

 

[4Siamese]

I guess taking a Camera is the new STROLLER debate

Sadly I do not have an eidetic nor a photographic memory so I will continue to take photos so that I can "be" in the moment and "relive" the moment as well.

 

[librarymom2007]

Hmmm, so much judgement in this thread all around.

I take pictures every time we go. I am always taking pictures, even at home, I always have. Why on earth does anyone care so much whether someone else takes pics or not at WDW????

The first time we took my DD I took my DSLR. It was heavy and I worried about it the entire time. Now I just snap pics with my phone. I have an iphone 6 and the quality of the pics is just fine for what I want them for, which is just a 4x6. They are just snapshots, nothing I am going to blow up or frame. We love to look back at our albums and reminisce.

As for the selfie stick, I have one (I told you I love pictures) and I like to think I am very respectful with it. It's just a fun little accessory to have. I would never dream of using it on a ride or to film a parade. It's just to take a quick shot of me and my family, maybe with something cool in the background. I took it to NYC the other week and I promise you I was not whacking people in the head with it. If that happens, don't blame the stick, blame the idiot holding it.

 

[Chiomaca]

Okay, I have to point out, with all due respect, that whenever someone says something like "I like being in the moment," or shares how they don't need to take photos of every little thing, or however the sentiment is worded, I think that -- unintentionally -- it carries some sort of vaguely negative connotation in regards to those of us who DO take lots of photos, or it somehow implies that those of us who DO take lots of photos are not in the moment.

The impression that I'm getting is that the people who choose to not take photos are somehow looking at what the rest of us do in a negative light. This is why I said in an earlier post -- we are enjoying the parks in our own ways, which may be different than how the non-photo takers choose to enjoy the parks. It's not a bad thing or a negative thing. It's just different. We're all different. And we are in the moment -- but we are in the moment in a different way than other people are.

Indeed.

I take pictures every day because I like to capture little moments in time, either for myself or to share with others. I tend to be a street photographer, so you're not going to see many pictures of me but you might see an unique Dis-bound look, a Princess caught in a brief moment of interaction on her way to the meet and greet station, or a dad chasing a kid chasing a duck... I don't think any of that takes away from my enjoyment of the moment, and going back and editing them lets me relive those moments.

I will admit that I HATE selfie sticks with a passion, people who leave their flashes on, or video every moment of a ride...but that's an issue of being rude to others. I don't think the general person out taking pictures is enjoying the moment any less than those without camera. I also find three things: (1) my family loves that I'm the photographer because they know they're going to get good pictures, (2) other photographers will engage with you and that can make waiting for the parade/fireworks a much more enjoyable time, and (2) a lot of cast members salivate at the chance to use a DSLR instead of a camera phone to take pictures. I had one CM at the 24 hour day beg to take my picture and tell me it was specifically because she owns the same camera I had. It's the only pic I have of myself from the full 24 hour day.

 

[Mr Ferret 88]

Who even owns a camera anymore since smartphones can handle about 90% of the pictures that most people ordinarily take? I haven't taken a camera to Disney in probably 15 years.

I am on the other side of the fence.I never take my phone to the parks and always have my camera.
Personally I think each to their own and whatever works best for you.phone photos don't work for me as I like to spend time editing when back home and like the extra level of detail my camera brings.

 

[NannyBeBe]

I agree that being in the moment is good. But now that my daddy and mom are gone, the pictures I have of them are so precious. So I say, take your pictures, as many as you want.

 

[22Tink]

We LOVE to look at my scrapbooks of past trips!! I can't imagine not having photos to look at! I will always take a camera though because the quality of pictures printed from a phone are no where near as nice. I use my phone for quick uploads to Facebook but for printed pics, my camera is definitely my first choice!

 

[tarheelalum]

My wife and I always have our cell phones and they have great cameras. I don't see the need to walk around with some professional camera hanging around my neck but some people are seriously into photography so whatever floats your boat I say. But I really enjoy taking photos and looking back on them years later. No one is promised tomorrow and those photos are very special to you in your later years.

But the whole selfe stick thing is really sad when you think about it. Those folks really need to seek out a mental health professional. Thank god disney is starting to forbid the selfe sticks on some of the rides now. Hopefully they will have a total ban on them soon. Nobody is that important regardless of whatever grandiose thoughts they may have of themselves.

 

[Patrick in Oregon]

I have the opposite problem. I can't figure out how to go into the parks with ONLY ONE LENS

Actually, I managed to take only one lens per day in the park on our last trip. It was really fun because it forced me to look at the parks from only one perspective at a time and get creative instead of resorting to switching lenses. I found out that I really like my long zoom lens when before I wouldn't bring it in the park.

 

[TechGuy]

When I take the Canon SLR, I usually choose one lens for each day. My 70-300 is a nice lens for in-park shots, but parades are hard. The 50 is fun for people shots.

 

[TechGuy]

I agree that being in the moment is good. But now that my daddy and mom are gone, the pictures I have of them are so precious. So I say, take your pictures, as many as you want.

I have literally thousands of photos from my trips to DL. I enjoy looking at them and finding the one in a hundred photos that catches the moment. With a real camera, this happens faster than it does with my high-end but slow cell phone. I feel like I can live in the moment but the camera can help me to remember it.

 

[farmfresh]

I do have some sympathy with the OP. I understand that people like to relive their trips through their photos. But occasionally I wonder if they have actually experienced that trip in the first place! Digital photography has made recording moments free and accessible, and in a way this produces a pressure to 'capture' everything. Digital sharing can exacerbate this, although of course it's great to be able to share something of your experience with your friends and family. Still, it's worth recalling that before this technology, people still had ways of 'capturing' then reliving their visits, which were just as enjoyable. They just didn't have so much - so there's something here of the 'overconsumption' that we find in all parts of our lives now!

So if photo taking helps trigger memories for you later then go on! I'd just (as an occasional photographer) put in a word for the value of enjoying an uncaptured moment - or at least, just capturing it with your head! I will always recall the excitement of my 5 year old at first seeing the electric parade, photo or not, because that is so much more than a visual memory.

I'd also second the OP who talked about manners - the dreaded Ipad blocking your view, the selfie stick, the person who takes flash photos on rides - now there is a time I would really value the captured moment!