DON'T Read This TRIP REPORT If You're a Princess Hater!

[WDWAtLast]

I agree with Becc1, you are an awesome seamstress AND photograher!

The pictures of the castle changing color, the ELP and Wishes are breathtaking! A DSLR is on my "one day" wish list. As a fellow scrapbooker, good/great photos are why I take multiply shots with my point and shoot camera, because even with digital, it takes a lot of good shots to get a great shot!

 

[clearskies]

1) Late? Nah, I just did my update last night. All you missed was a bunch of drama.......

I saw that nonsense and did not want to bring it up again. Thankfully it went away.

2) We usually end up by the windows in CRT, which I love, for both the view and the lighting. I usually try to position myself so the lighting is hitting from the side, and I can get some of those gorgeous windows in the background. I understand that view is completely blocked through June. So I'm glad we won't be there.......... OK..... just kidding. I'd still love to be there...... but I'd be disappointed with the lack of a view.

And yes, I used my flash. But I do totally feel inept at flash photography, so do appreciate the kind comment. The one thing I've been doing is dialing the flash down so it just fills in the shadows and doesn't wash the subject out.

You did a great job with the lighting and controlling the flash.
It is not easy to set it correctly. Do you try bouncing the flash ever? You can get good results if the situation allows for it.

3) I think of the title of your 2009 trip report every time I get on Peter Pan now! That was my first keeper ever from that ride. But I didn't use manual focus. I haven't practiced with manual focus, so didn't want to experiment there. I think there was just enough contrast with Wendy's blue dress for the camera to lock on. But the rest of the ride it never locked in focus. What I want is that dang clock tower. That will definitely require manual focus.

After being beaten into submission on that ride in 2009 I gave up on autofocus since it was not a happening thing for me. You did good to get it to lock on Wendy. I have switched to manual focus now so that now I can say that I have full control of my growing collection of blurry pictures from that blasted ride. My ineptitude with manual focus really comes to light.

I just checked the EXIF on the HM heads. I apparently left my 17-55 f/2.8 on in there, but dialed the ISO up to 6400. I'm not sure why I left that one on. I typically would have put on the 30mm f/1.4. But at 30mm I never would have gotten all 5. So we'll just say I was planning for that shot.....

great...ahem...planning
Actually, I have been able to get away with f/2.8 on some components of that ride. Especially with the ISO dialed up.

5) Thank you! It was a fun little parade. And the sky made it worth sitting there in the cold. I was happy with how those turned out. I used a flash, but kept it dialed down a bit. I was concerned about everything looking really fake bright against the darkening sky.

Another good job controlling the flash

6) Well, I'm jealous you have a return trip planned already, so I guess we're even, right??? Seriously though....... it's definitely worth planning something for that time of year. It is absolutely breathtaking. I still remember my first glace of the castle lights from the monorail in 08. Just amazing, even from that distance.....

I am not big on the huge crowds and I expect my florida weather to be warm. If only they can have a "Celebrate Christmas in the Summer Week". I would be all over it. For now though I'll just have to drool over your pictures.

Proof positive that if you snap enough frames, one will likely turn out! But I definitely needed the higher ISO here to get a fast enough shutter speed. The noise reduction in LR3 really has been a huge improvement for me this past year too. I would be afraid to use those higher ISO's without the NR. I think I went to 3200 for the MSEP.

I see you subscribe to my method of stacking the odds in your favor for a good shot I hear so many positive things about LR. I only use photoshop elements + neat image plug in. I may need to look into LR.

8) I really do like my tripod. It did get a good workout on this trip. It's nice and tall, and also small and lightweight, so it's not as sturdy as would be ideal. But I knew that going in. My 2 priorities were height and size since I use it most at Disney.

I would like to know which tripod you use if you don't mind. I could use more height on mine. Especially when I am staked out on Main Street and just before the show starts some taller people move in front of me.

 

[jenseib]

I got a few pages behind and now I am working on catching up. The move it shake parade pics are so cool .I love that it is truning night. it gives the whol parade a different look. You lighting and fireworks shots are excellent. I never bring my tripod. I probably should. I think I am going to be missing both MSEP and Wishes because our CRT dinner is at 9:30, the parade starts at 9 and Wishes at 10. I keep looking for an earlier dinner time, but I know I'm pretty much out of luck there.

So glad this TR has been able to get back to the actual trip, and not the drama that some people feel the need to create! BTW way to go Jen! Maybe you should become a PI instead of a TA!

Totally off topic, but I used to date a guy...who I now realize was a total jerk.. amyways. at the end of the relationship we had problems and he said he was going to take a few days away to think things over. I was pretty sure he was "messing" around with another girl. After not being able to reach him at all over the few days, and he not being where he said he would be I played detective. I knew he only stayed in Marriot Hotels, so I called Marriot and asked if he was listed. They said they need a city to find him, and I thought fast and remembered he had been talking about taking the kids and I to Kings Island before the summer ended. (In Cinccinnatti) So I said Kings Island area and sue enough...he was there and had 2 rooms. One for the new gals kids. They patched me through to the room and as you can guess, he was very surprised to get a call from me! And of course the relationship wasd then over. He married that gal a few months later and she left him right after their one year anniversary!

Ny friends and family are always amazed the I actually found him and then had the nerve t ocall the room.

Me too!

And Jen, for your prize you win an all expense cruise on the Disney Dream! It just has to be redeemed in the next month. You can do that, right?

The rest of us will all stay behind here studying up on DIS policies so next time one of US can catch that little detail about needing 10 posts to even GET PM's!!!

I'm editing photos so I can finish out the day today.

Nothing like spending the coldest evening of the entire trip camped outdoors in front of the castle, right????

I noticed that you didn't say all expenses paid cruise! I do plan on redeeming it this month.
Skip opened his latest credit card bill yesterday and saw the trip insur. charge. He said he was puzzled by it and called and asked what it was, and the guy told him that "Jennifer" had arranged it. So Skip said, I better ask my wife then. He wanted to know why I would buy it. DUH!! First off we have bought it every trip except one, and second...we are already having problems...who wants to take any chances that things go badly on this trip. He asked what it covered and I gave him a generic list, and then he realized it was a good thing

 

[jenseib]

Do you use your flash on the camera, or external flash. I have an external, and sometimes I take great pics, and then others come out shadowy. I am still trying to figure out how to get some good shots in the Castle, since lighting is so poor.
Do you have a book on lightroom? I have a bootleg copy of CS3 from a friend and on the CD came lightroom. I actually unistalled it, because I had no idea what it was. I am wondering if I should give it a try (reinstall it), but have no clue how to go about using it. I think I would like the noise reduction feature.

 

[mom2rtk]

Great TR and great dresses!! Love your photos as well. i have 2 little princesses and we are going for our first time in September, hopefully we will meet as many characters as you and Katie!!!

Thank you! Just do your homework on where to find the characters and I'm sure you will. There are a few DIS members who keep web sites with character information. If you have any questions on where to find certain characters, just post a thread on the theme park forum.

I agree with Becc1, you are an awesome seamstress AND photograher!

The pictures of the castle changing color, the ELP and Wishes are breathtaking! A DSLR is on my "one day" wish list. As a fellow scrapbooker, good/great photos are why I take multiply shots with my point and shoot camera, because even with digital, it takes a lot of good shots to get a great shot!

Thank you so much! It really does help to have a DSLR for the ELP. Low light coupled with movement is different from low light photos of something that stands still like a castle, or even fireworks (different kind of movement). For those shots, even a point and shoot will work, but you really need a tripod.

I got a few pages behind and now I am working on catching up. The move it shake parade pics are so cool .I love that it is truning night. it gives the whol parade a different look. You lighting and fireworks shots are excellent. I never bring my tripod. I probably should. I think I am going to be missing both MSEP and Wishes because our CRT dinner is at 9:30, the parade starts at 9 and Wishes at 10. I keep looking for an earlier dinner time, but I know I'm pretty much out of luck there.

I really hate when you have to make that sort of tough decision at Disney. Maybe you can be watching for something to open up at Akershus too so you could pass on CRT. That would be a tough call for me though. I LOVE eating in the castle.

Since both CRT and Akershus require a cc hold, people do cancel.

Normally you could get a back view of some of the fireworks at that hour from CRT, but you probably know they have those windows blocked right now because of the refurb on the back side of the castle.

Totally off topic, but I used to date a guy...who I now realize was a total jerk.. amyways. at the end of the relationship we had problems and he said he was going to take a few days away to think things over. I was pretty sure he was "messing" around with another girl. After not being able to reach him at all over the few days, and he not being where he said he would be I played detective. I knew he only stayed in Marriot Hotels, so I called Marriot and asked if he was listed. They said they need a city to find him, and I thought fast and remembered he had been talking about taking the kids and I to Kings Island before the summer ended. (In Cinccinnatti) So I said Kings Island area and sue enough...he was there and had 2 rooms. One for the new gals kids. They patched me through to the room and as you can guess, he was very surprised to get a call from me! And of course the relationship wasd then over. He married that gal a few months later and she left him right after their one year anniversary!

Ny friends and family are always amazed the I actually found him and then had the nerve t ocall the room.

You are amazing Jen.... Remind me never to cross you!

I noticed that you didn't say all expenses paid cruise! I do plan on redeeming it this month.
Skip opened his latest credit card bill yesterday and saw the trip insur. charge. He said he was puzzled by it and called and asked what it was, and the guy told him that "Jennifer" had arranged it. So Skip said, I better ask my wife then. He wanted to know why I would buy it. DUH!! First off we have bought it every trip except one, and second...we are already having problems...who wants to take any chances that things go badly on this trip. He asked what it covered and I gave him a generic list, and then he realized it was a good thing

Well, I left out the word "paid" on accident....... but now I think I'm glad I did!

Do you use your flash on the camera, or external flash. I have an external, and sometimes I take great pics, and then others come out shadowy. I am still trying to figure out how to get some good shots in the Castle, since lighting is so poor.
Do you have a book on lightroom? I have a bootleg copy of CS3 from a friend and on the CD came lightroom. I actually unistalled it, because I had no idea what it was. I am wondering if I should give it a try (reinstall it), but have no clue how to go about using it. I think I would like the noise reduction feature.

I hardly ever use the built-in flash on the camera. I have an external flash I use. I do bounce my flash sometimes, and LOVE the results. But I would totally be out of my element trying to bounce it in the castle. I had a friend try to do that once in the castle and half the shot was dark and half was light. So that definitely made me a little gun shy. If you're near the windows, just be sure the light is hitting the character and Claire properly. I always choose my seat at our table based on how I want to set up my shot. And I'm not afraid to ask the character to step out in the aisle or turn a different direction if needed. It feels a little awkward, but they have always been very accommodating. I mean, it's not like EVERYONE in the room is asking!

What I typically do is turn down the flash exposure compensation a little so it's not too harsh. I have much to learn about flash photography though.

I don't know about the older versions of Lightroom, but I think it had a great reputation even before the current LR3. I don't have a book but really need one. Mostly I have just focused on a limited number of adjustments and adjust the sliders until I like it...... exposure, brightness, fill light, contrast, saturation, sharpening and noise reduction. There's a lot more I still have to figure out though. I'm waiting for LR3 for Dummies to come out.........

For anyone looking at these programs, there are great discounts available if you have school age kids. I think I got mine through journeyed.com

 

[jenseib]

Yep, I get the half dark shots too. Especially with verticle shots. I can't figure out how to place the flace when I take those. I actually played for a bout 45 minutes the other night I kept flashing and flashing over and over taking dumbe pictures. I think Skip was getting mad, he kept giving me the look to stop it.

 

[Kari-B]

Loving your trip report. Your photos are great! And all the dresses you made your daughter are fabulous. Can't wait to see more!!!

 

[Caretames1]

Yep, I get the half dark shots too. Especially with verticle shots. I can't figure out how to place the flace when I take those. I actually played for a bout 45 minutes the other night I kept flashing and flashing over and over taking dumbe pictures. I think Skip was getting mad, he kept giving me the look to stop it.

Same problem here!





Thanks Janet for the tip for the other thread, I started a spark huh?

 

[luvdumbo]

Princess Lover subscribing! I must admit when the security bag checkers and the ticket takers call me Princess it makes me giddy! Going back to read your trip report now!

 

[mom2rtk]

1) I saw that nonsense and did not want to bring it up again. Thankfully it went away.

2) You did a great job with the lighting and controlling the flash.
It is not easy to set it correctly. Do you try bouncing the flash ever? You can get good results if the situation allows for it.

3) After being beaten into submission on that ride in 2009 I gave up on autofocus since it was not a happening thing for me. You did good to get it to lock on Wendy. I have switched to manual focus now so that now I can say that I have full control of my growing collection of blurry pictures from that blasted ride. My ineptitude with manual focus really comes to light.

4) great...ahem...planning
Actually, I have been able to get away with f/2.8 on some components of that ride. Especially with the ISO dialed up.

5) Another good job controlling the flash

6) I am not big on the huge crowds and I expect my florida weather to be warm. If only they can have a "Celebrate Christmas in the Summer Week". I would be all over it. For now though I'll just have to drool over your pictures.

7) I see you subscribe to my method of stacking the odds in your favor for a good shot I hear so many positive things about LR. I only use photoshop elements + neat image plug in. I may need to look into LR.

8) I would like to know which tripod you use if you don't mind. I could use more height on mine. Especially when I am staked out on Main Street and just before the show starts some taller people move in front of me.

1) Me too......

2) I sort of discussed flash answering Jen in the past post. I know just enough to be dangerous. I have had some pretty capable people in the photography forum try to teach me, but I'm just not there yet. I feel pretty good about using my camera for anything BUT flash photography. Once I need to use the flash........ my mind turns to mush. I think I need a good book on flash to slowly work my way through. I think someone said Bryan Peterson is coming out with one on flash photography, so I want to check that out.

Until then, I'll just keep trying to get my subjects into the best possible natural light and add dial the flash down a bit.

We missed my daughter's team photos for basketball because we were at Disney....... so I took photos for everyone in the school gym. I bounced my flash there and was really happy with the results, so I'll probably keep trying.

3) I'm in the same boat. I need to really keep trying my manual focus so I can get comfortable with it. It needs to be second nature to get it to work on that ride.

4) I really do think I'm going to have to stick with the 1.4 though if I want to break out of my rut of taking the same 3 photos each time through! We did ride it again on our last day. I wonder what I did that day!

5) Thank you! I was really happy with those shots.

6) Too funny... I have often wished they would do Star Wars weekend in the winter! I'd love to go but just don't think I could survive the heat.

You ought to consider early November. I think you're less likely to freeze, and you can still see all the lights.

I've been in record hot, and now I've been in record cold. And I'll take the record cold any day. I'm such a crybaby in the heat!

7) Sure do! It's one of the best things about digital photography! I couldn't afford it when I had to develop all that film!

8) After much research last year, I settled on the Luxi-L tripod. I had 2 priorities: Tall and easy to carry around. This one is 63" fully extended. And it folds down to about 15 1/2" and comes in a carrying bag.

The down side is that the legs are twist lock, and I prefer the flip-lock. So it's a little harder to make sure it's all locked tight.

It's not tall enough to get over EVERY head, but if you find the edge of a curb to be on, that helps too. My best shots were later in the trip from the curb along Main Street right across from Casey's. There was a tall man standing right in front of me, but with the curb AND the tall tripod, I was good!

For a travel tripod, I've been very happy.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yep, I get the half dark shots too. Especially with verticle shots. I can't figure out how to place the flace when I take those. I actually played for a bout 45 minutes the other night I kept flashing and flashing over and over taking dumbe pictures. I think Skip was getting mad, he kept giving me the look to stop it.

Well, like I said, I don't know a lot, but your aim must be off. Some flashes have more flexibility than others for getting it into the right position. I finally got the vertical ones right for the individual shots for basketball. But it took a number of practice shots. Not something I want to do inside CRT.

Loving your trip report. Your photos are great! And all the dresses you made your daughter are fabulous. Can't wait to see more!!!

Thank you so much! And ..............

Same problem here!

Thanks Janet for the tip for the other thread, I started a spark huh?

That was strange.

I'm starting to think it's me.......... but then I hadn't even posted yet! Did some of it help at least?

I don't know as much as they all do, but if you have any specific questions, I'd be happy to help.

The threads linked in this page are really helpful too. There's one on Disney shows, one on parades, one on fireworks, etc. I found these really good resources:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2603154

Princess Lover subscribing! I must admit when the security bag checkers and the ticket takers call me Princess it makes me giddy! Going back to read your trip report now!

Time for your official princess

Now show us the secret handshake and you're in! (just kidding!)

 

[Cjmuma]

I am in entire awe at your picture taking and hunting out great experience skills!!!

Now I am getting really excited for our trip in 2 months. I am looking forward to celebrating one of those "0" years this trip.

Where better to turn a year older than a place that makes you feel so young at heart!

 

[mom2rtk]

I am in entire awe at your picture taking and hunting out great experience skills!!!

Now I am getting really excited for our trip in 2 months. I am looking forward to celebrating one of those "0" years this trip.

Where better to turn a year older than a place that makes you feel so young at heart!

Many thanks for the kind comments and

I was considering spending a noteworth "0" birthday in the Magic Kingdom in a couple years. But it just dawned on me that will be a couple weeks before my middle child graduates High School, so I guess that's out....... Sooooooooo....... I would definitely say DO IT if you can now!

 

[tinkgurl]

I'm late to this TR, but I'm hooked!

Katie's outfits and dresses are so cute! You made them?! Wow. You are good! And it looks like you guys have made quite a lot of fun memories over the trips. I especially love that the FG remembers you every time!

 

[Caretames1]

That was strange.

I'm starting to think it's me.......... but then I hadn't even posted yet! Did some of it help at least?

I don't know as much as they all do, but if you have any specific questions, I'd be happy to help.

The threads linked in this page are really helpful too. There's one on Disney shows, one on parades, one on fireworks, etc. I found these really good resources:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2603154

It's not you, trust me. I had a post over in the famliy Threads( about going to Disney with one DD while the other DD was in college) and WOW I got so flamed, I'm suprised nobody put a hit on me.

I took some of the info in, some was a bit too technical for me, but I'm glad to have some input.

I may pick your brain. The more awesome your pics get, I get more ideas!
Thanks, for the link. I'm heading over later.

Carey

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Popping in for a quick .

Will be off the grid for a few days.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm late to this TR, but I'm hooked!

Katie's outfits and dresses are so cute! You made them?! Wow. You are good! And it looks like you guys have made quite a lot of fun memories over the trips. I especially love that the FG remembers you every time!

Thank you so much and


I made all the costumes. The skirt sets were a combination effort between me and a couple of applique sewing friends. Gretchen (scraps of heaven) has been following the trip report but I don't think Shannon (revrob) is yet. I need to drop her a note!

And yes, our Fairy Godmother is a very special part of our trips now!

It's not you, trust me. I had a post over in the famliy Threads( about going to Disney with one DD while the other DD was in college) and WOW I got so flamed, I'm suprised nobody put a hit on me.

I took some of the info in, some was a bit too technical for me, but I'm glad to have some input.

I may pick your brain. The more awesome your pics get, I get more ideas!
Thanks, for the link. I'm heading over later.

Carey

Yeah....... I've heard that about the family threads. I've never been over there. The photography forum is usually pretty laid back.... really. Stick with it. There is a lot of readily accessible info over there.

Popping in for a quick .

Will be off the grid for a few days.

I hope it's for something fun! It will be a few days before I can get to an update, so you probably won't miss much. Thanks for stopping in to say

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Sadly, it won't be. I'm having my gallbladder out tomorrow morning.

I may DIS from my phone, but it's tough to really see everything that goes on on such a tiny screen!

 

[mom2rtk]

Sadly, it won't be. I'm having my gallbladder out tomorrow morning.

I may DIS from my phone, but it's tough to really see everything that goes on on such a tiny screen!

Yuck. Sorry to hear that. I was hoping for a quick weekend at Disney or something.

I hope all goes well and you recover quickly!

We'll hold down the fort here..........

 

[revrob]

I made all the costumes. The skirt sets were a combination effort between me and a couple of applique sewing friends. Gretchen (scraps of heaven) has been following the trip report but I don't think Shannon (revrob) is yet. I need to drop her a note!

I'M HERE! I'M HERE! Great so far - thanks for pointing me in this direction!