How do you get a good shot when in a crowd?

[MontanaZoo]

I had a lot of issues getting a good shot in the crowds at the park when I was there in 2006. I'm going to be there for 9 days starting Mar 1st and was wondering if anyone had good tips for how they deal with the crowds? People walking in front of you, jostling, etc. I dealt with it by finding interesting compositions in quieter areas of the parks and it was much easier at the resort. How does everyone else deal with it?

I try not to be rude and since I'm a zoo's photographer as well it's second nature for me to go oh, not a problem, or step out of other people's way

I had the same situation Labor Day weekend in Yellowstone Just get the shot of a bison or something lined up and tourist walks in the shot. Or if they're walking up to the bison, wait for THAT shot. :

 

[Groucho]

I've found that people will often notice if you're taking a photo and walk around, but of course if the crowds are heavy, that's not the case.

One thing that helps - be very tall, or perhaps wear elevator shoes (or both), this helps shoot over everyone else's heads.

But seriously, the best thing to do is generally get close to the subject and zoom out (or use a wide lens) in order to minimize the amount of space between you and your subject - the less space, the less room there is for people to get in your way!

 

[jfulcer]

One thing that helps - be very tall, or perhaps wear elevator shoes (or both), this helps shoot over everyone else's heads.

Or even wear high heels. I think that you'd be given a *wide* berth when walking in WDW and you might even make it onto Badshoes.com

 

[MassJester]

You could yell, "Everybody duck he has a gun!" However, after you take the shot (which you should do quickly) you may experience some difficulty...

 

[vflipo]

You could yell, "Everybody duck he has a gun!" However, after you take the shot (which you should do quickly) you may experience some difficulty...

Similarly you could shout "I'M GOING TO SHOOT" ... I'm sure people would run and duck then

 

[DueyDooDah]

Yell, "They are giving away free iPods in <park>!", where park would be any park other than the one you are in.

But seriously, if you stay at a resort hotel, ensure you go to the early openings and the after hours park openings. You will have a better chance to get good shots. Also, once the park is closed, shoot through the gates. Noone will be there.

Or, the best way is to go with Gdad. He seems to be there alone in every shot lately. I think he must be friends with the Disney family.

 

[dburg30]

I was wondering why everyone was looking at me funny when I would yell "There's a duck, SHOOT IT!!"

 

[MontanaZoo]

Ha, thanks for all the advice!

Luckily I am 5'10" so I can see over people's heads. One of the funniest experiences I had was taking detail pictures of the buildings in Epcot's UK and was shooting up at the chimneys and people were following me around trying to see what I was taking pictures of so they could take pictures of it too. Maybe I'll have my DN 11 be my bouncer and keep peeps out of the pics.

 

[deletedpenguin]

Go out and splurge on a nice big white lens. People tend to get out of your way when you "look professional".

 

[MontanaZoo]

Go out and splurge on a nice big white lens. People tend to get out of your way when you "look professional".

Sigh, I wish...I could actually get shots of wolves in Yellowstone with one of those.

 

[vflipo]

Go out and splurge on a nice big white lens. People tend to get out of your way when you "look professional".

I hope this really works... my husband just "had to" buy a new lens (canon 70-200 2.8L IS USM) for our trip. I thought the money would be better spent elsewhere ... but he thinks it's a "business expense"

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I find that not bathing for a week before going to WDW helps with the crowds.

 

[MontanaZoo]

I find that not bathing for a week before going to WDW helps with the crowds.

Probably would get you a whole row of seats on the airplane too.

 

[MICKEY88]

wear a photographers vest, people think you're a photopass photographer and will stop waiting for their turn...

 

[pjacobi]

Use a telephoto lens to cut the crowd out of the picture.

Set autofocus to use only center point. This will prevent focus seeking when a head bobs into the frame.


-Paul