How to get great pics on the Teacups?

[VBsHustla]

Does anyone know how to get great pictures with the teacup's riders in focus but the background in motion? I have a Canon Powershot, so if anyone knows of a specific setting, that would be great, but general tips are very appreciated, too! Thanks!

 

[FINFAN]

Sorry, I have NO idea, but the photography board is uber helpful on this sort of thing...maybe try posting over there? I would love to know as well!


Pam

 

[photobob]

The best way to get that shot is to be inside the teacup with the people your are shooting. Use a fairly slow shutter speed and you'll be spinning the same speed as your subject so they will be sharp and the background will be blurred. The faster the teacup spins the more the background will be blurred. Make sure to shoot heavy to insure getting something that will work.

 

[tinkntraining]

sorry -- I don't have a Canon, so I can't tell you the specific settings -- but like photobob suggested, I was in the teacup and used a slower shutter speed.

Not a great photo, could have been more in focus, but seems like I got the spinning thing right.

 

[lklasing]

Sorry - double post!

 

[lklasing]

The best way to get that shot is to be inside the teacup with the people your are shooting. Use a fairly slow shutter speed and you'll be spinning the same speed as your subject so they will be sharp and the background will be blurred. The faster the teacup spins the more the background will be blurred. Make sure to shoot heavy to insure getting something that will work.

Very good advice - here are a couple of pics from our most recent trip:

(Before the spinning started)

(After)

 

[Cool-Beans]

I have no clue.

The DIS has a Photography section and they are all like Photography Geniuses. You should try posting your question there.

Good luck!!!

 

[Macca1111]

This has been implied, but wanted to make sure that you knew that it would be nearly impossible to get the shot you want from outside the teacup. If you can manage to get one cup in still focus, you probably won't have the neat blurry background. Just wanted to add that in case you were trying to skip out on the ride.

 

[Sherry047]

Pot

 

[cboudre1]

I didn't do anything with my shutter speed. I just sat across from my DS, got the teacup spinning and took pictures of him.

 

[scoolover]

If you are not on the ride:
If the people in the cup don't spin it, it may be possible when they approach you, if you center in on the subject and move the camera with the people as you take the picture. If they are spinning I would say that it will be nearly impossible.

 

[momjkm]

I too have photo questions--- where is the photo board on dis? I did look earlier this week but couldn't find it? is it within a board?
Thanks Jill

 

[fan1080]

I too have photo questions--- where is the photo board on dis? I did look earlier this week but couldn't find it? is it within a board?
Thanks Jill

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=97

 

[Brian_WDW74]

I've moved this thread to the Photography Board. So if you're reading this message, you're already there.

 

[NostalgicDad]

I have taken a few shots like this but never 100% happy with my results. The main thing you need to do is use your panning skills. So, in other words, you'll want to lock onto your subject tea cup and follow it while snapping the shot. There's no need to necessarily use a slow shutter speed since you want your subject crisp. The background will be blurred by your panning motion. I always find it difficult to get a clear shot without someone else's tea cup in the way while also getting my family's faces looking in the right direction.

I'm sure other folks here have better results but below are a few pics that will give you an idea of what I'm talking about. I'm using aperture priority (you set the aperture) in each picture and center-weighted metering. In actuality, using shutter priority (you set the shutter speed) would probably work better in my particular setting since it was a very bright time of day. The actual speed would basically depend on your available light situation since the tea cups at WDW are covered.


My family in the blue tea cup.
Shutter 1/50
Aperture f/10
ISO 100

1/80
f/10
ISO 100

Family in the pink tea cup.
1/125
f/13
ISO 200

1/100
f/14
ISO 200

1/60
f/14
ISO 200

 

[Gdad]

Try using a slow shutter speed and the rear curtain sync flash- which strobes at the end of the exposure. This was done at a 1/2 second exposure.

If using available light get the exposure to around 1/30th of a second. A wide angle also helps. This was taken with a 10.5mm fisheye.

Also- take a lot of shots- my keeper rate on that ride is usually pretty low.

 

[mvazul]

I have a Nikon D50. I used my automatic setting with no flash on the Teacups. I was fairly pleased with the results. Here is my mother as she was just starting to spin our cup:

And this is my sister after we got going. She may be smiling, but it's a smile of, "That's okay. Spin away, but I will get my revenge!!" She has motion sickness issues!

Also, I agree to just keep shooting. The more you take the better chance you have to a get a good one - or two. Not sure if that helps or not. Good luck!!

Michelle

 

[VBsHustla]

Thanks for all of the information, tips, and pictures! We can't wait to try it out in August.

lklasing, those pictures are amazing!

"The dormouse is asleep again," said the Hatter, and he poured a little hot tea upon its nose. -Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

 

[rtphokie]

The best advice is keep shooting and forget the flash. There is no magic aperture and shutter speed so try a couple. 1/30 sec is a good starting point at night, 1/100 if you want to stop more of the action.

Exposure Time 0.01s (1/100)
Aperture f/5.6
ISO 800
Focal Length 18mm (28.8mm in 35mm)

 

[VBsHustla]

The best advice is keep shooting and forget the flash. There is no magic aperture and shutter speed so try a couple. 1/30 sec is a good starting point at night, 1/100 if you want to stop more of the action.

Exposure Time 0.01s (1/100)
Aperture f/5.6
ISO 800
Focal Length 18mm (28.8mm in 35mm)

Thanks so much, the specifics are a really helpful starting point. That picture is adorable.