Just a thought: Be considerate when photographing characters in meet and greets

[DisneyFansInNYC]

I really wanted to meet Cruella too, but, I think I would have had a riot on my hands from spouse and kid.. lol My photos are there, they just aren't exposed evenly. I mean, it looks like a prepaid cell phone photo.. lol But, I mean, it's still better than the 110 film pictures my parents have of me as a kid, so, I'm not sure why I'm complaining. I have lightroom and photoshop, so I can put more work into them and make them a bit better. I just wish that they were one of my many 'in front of the castle' photos that I didn't need another of instead of my only Maleficent pictures. Oh well, maybe we'll luck out and they'll do another villains party one day, or photopass day next year. Honestly, I'm 25% of the way through what will end up being a fairly long weight loss journey, a year from now I probably wouldn't have liked the picture that much even if it had turned out.

I understand. I thought that maybe they could adjust the lighting as well. Our kids did enjoy the meet and greets but the wait was ridiculous. We waited with them for a while but it was just too hot for me.

 

[GeneralTso]

Those people probably didn't ruin your pictures. The photographer probably did. We have had some really terrible PP shots. Beyond worse than amateur. I wondered how they got that job.
The people behind you weren't even thinking they were doing anything wrong, I guarantee. Selfish? Maybe, but your shot isn't on their mind, like, at all.

Take extra pics. Camera. Phones, etc. Cover your bases. Especially with special pictures. I've learned to never just trust the PP shot. Ever. We always double up.

 

[JenniferinFL]

Personally I think you emphasized those things for people to feel bad and I just don't lol.
If the experience meant that much I would have not rushed. You waited your turn you should have taken your turn.
You would have gotten more than a couple of quick snaps and the character interaction that you waited so long to experience.
Again I do feel bad about the flash but really not about the rest.

You should only feel bad if you routinely ruin people's photos with your flash. I'm not really sure why this is something you're taking so personally, it's just weird. The better way to show you don't care about my post is to simply not comment on it, really no need to comment and tell me that you don't care. Again, just weird. (Unless you recognize me and you're all like, 'oh noes, there's that person we were taking a video of while waiting for Maleficent'.. lol) (Even if that is the case, seriously, no hard feelings I'll get a better one next time, just like don't make a habit of it. )

 

[JenniferinFL]

Just a heads-up, I've really appreciated the helpful comments I got. More importantly, one person realized they shouldn't use their flash during someone else's meet. So, this post was completely worth making. That being said, I'm going to duck out now. I've found that once things start getting personal they tend to just get worse. So, I'm out of the thread now, but, anyone who wants to can feel free to discuss and dissect the issue ad nauseam with whoever else feels like doing the same.

 

[mom2rtk]

Those people probably didn't ruin your pictures. The photographer probably did. We have had some really terrible PP shots. Beyond worse than amateur. I wondered how they got that job.
The people behind you weren't even thinking they were doing anything wrong, I guarantee. Selfish? Maybe, but your shot isn't on their mind, like, at all.

Take extra pics. Camera. Phones, etc. Cover your bases. Especially with special pictures. I've learned to never just trust the PP shot. Ever. We always double up.

Photopass CMs are not photographers. They are not expected to have photographic expertise and in fact are not allowed to adjust the settings on the camera they are handed. Regardless, we have had a lot of great Photopass pictures through the years, and a lot of duds.

I think the OP was probably a victim of video lighting. (It's just next to impossible to have flashes coincide that many times in a row). If they had been in line near me, I would have turned and asked them to turn it off. It was extremely rude behavior and they likely ruined more than one person's entire set of photos. I had someone standing next to me during wishes one night with their video lighting turned on (I had my camera on a tripod) and I just reached up and put my hand in front of it and told him he needed to turn that thing off. Thankfully he did. (Although that might have been because he realized he didn't have a leg to stand on with his camera 2 inches from my ear.)

That said, I absolutely agree that more is better. Always hedge your bets and take shots with more than one camera, and take a variety of shots. Photopass will take shots with your camera as well. You waited your time. Take the extra 15 seconds and make sure you get what you came for.

 

[robl45]

I agree with the OP, people shouldn't be taking pictures when its not their turn. I also disagree with the below. While you shouldn't rush when meeting the characters or getting a picture taken, there are many people waiting and far too many take more time then they should. I know I've waited in lines for pictures where there is a family that needs to get a photo of each kid, then a couple of kids together, then another couple of kids together, then a parent, then another parent, then both parents, then the whole family together and if grand parents are there, probably 8 more photos all while people are waiting.

It's possible Photopass might have had their settings wrong causing the overexposure. I've had it happen.

The best advice I can give you is that once you've waited your turn, don't skimp on the number of shots you have taken. It only takes a few more seconds to get more shots. And get some on your own camera as well. The more shots you get, the better your odds of getting a keeper. That can all be done without holding up the line.

I'm really sorry your shots didn't turn out. Photopass is hit and miss on a good day. Always hedge your bets.

 

[serenitynow]

Yikes 4 hours! I guess that Villain party last year was worth it.

It was SO worth it! Food, drink and private meetings with Villians with pictures on their various "thrones" and other props. Plus dances.

 

[mom2rtk]

I agree with the OP, people shouldn't be taking pictures when its not their turn. I also disagree with the below. While you shouldn't rush when meeting the characters or getting a picture taken, there are many people waiting and far too many take more time then they should. I know I've waited in lines for pictures where there is a family that needs to get a photo of each kid, then a couple of kids together, then another couple of kids together, then a parent, then another parent, then both parents, then the whole family together and if grand parents are there, probably 8 more photos all while people are waiting.

Taking a few extra shots when it's your turn is not even close to what you described. I'm not talking about regrouping, reposing and bringing in extra people. I'm talking about taking several shots in quick succession. And while I'm very annoyed with those who have to take one on every phone in the group, or those who have to video a lengthy interaction before taking still shots, that's not what I'm talking about either. It only takes a few extra seconds to take 10 shots than it does to take 5.

 

[scrappingbuckeye]

It was SO worth it! Food, drink and private meetings with Villians with pictures on their various "thrones" and other props. Plus dances.

Yes - we went last year as well. My husband swears it was the best "extra" Disney party we've ever done. He sat and ate & drank while the kids and I went crazy with pictures with the villains. I would do it again in a heartbeat!

 

[scrappingbuckeye]

Taking a few extra shots when it's your turn is not even close to what you described. I'm not talking about regrouping, reposing and bringing in extra people. I'm talking about taking several shots in quick succession. And while I'm very annoyed with those who have to take one on every phone in the group, or those who have to video a lengthy interaction before taking still shots, that's not what I'm talking about either. It only takes a few extra seconds to take 10 shots than it does to take 5.

I agree, better to cover your bases so to speak. I've waited many times for people to regroup and make different groups etc. so I never feel guilty about taking an extra minute to get good photos.

 

[BabyPiglet]

I completely understand your post. I think it falls into an even bigger problem of people using flash all over the place when it clearly says not to, or when it is clearly rude. I also don't get why anyone would want photos of a character with other people in it?

 

[TinkLoverSam]

I completely understand your post. I think it falls into an even bigger problem of people using flash all over the place when it clearly says not to, or when it is clearly rude. I also don't get why anyone would want photos of a character with other people in it?

I met Gaston while New Fantasyland was still in soft open. While my sister and I were posing with Gaston for pictures the lady behind us was taking pictures. Gaston asked if we knew her, we said "nope" he goes "so like here look at the pictures I took of people I saw on vacation?!?" It was really funny (to us) because it really highlighted how weird it is to take pictures of strangers on your vacation.

 

[amberpi]

I think it's always welcome to remind people to be extra considerate in the parks, and while traveling in general, so post on, OP.

You're more than welcome to post about watching where you're going, putting away litter appropriately, and not being too loud every day in my book!