MNSSHP Photography Tips

[Docarino]

I have a lot of MNSSHP questions and am hoping I can find some good tips here. I'm only going to one party and figure the time will fly by so I want to be prepared! I don't want to waste too much time waiting for good spots for the parade and fireworks but these are my highest priority for the party so I wait a while if needed. We probably will do a few characters but not very many. I'm considering watching the parade twice.

Some things I'm wondering-
Are there certain spots on the parade route that have better lighting than others? Do the building lights on Main Street stay on during the parade? How far in advance do I need to wait for a spot if I want the front row? Will people be sitting down in the hub?

Similar question about Hallowishes- how far in advance should I find a spot? About what time do they allow people to stand in the street? Is it a wider show with more perimeter fireworks than Wishes?

The Villian Mix and Mingle- how's the light during this show? Would I be able to get away with using my 70-200 f/4 IS?

Also, are any of the rides different on party nights- like decorations, etc? I don't think we'll do many rides that night, other than the Haunted Mansion, unless there is something to see that we couldn't see another day.

Thanks for any tips and if anyone else have questions, feel free to add to this thread. Hopefully some people here can share their experiences!

 

[annnewjerz]

As far as spots go for the parade...last year we staked out a spot right on the walkway around the hub that leads to Liberty Square. We were right up against the rope and everything we shot was right under a streetlight that stayed on (although it seemed to get dimmer) most of the time. That added a good amount of ambient light and we didn't find it necessary to use flashes for anything. I do like the look of the buildings on Main Street behind the horseman, but after seeing how dark it was I think we made the right choice from a photography standpoint.

Here are a few shots.

Headless horseman. (Explored) by annnewjerz, on Flickr

Gumballs and bubbles and colors, oh my! by annnewjerz, on Flickr

Rock our with your....femur bone out? by annnewjerz, on Flickr

Messing around with panning before Boo to You. by annnewjerz, on Flickr


As far as HalloWishes, I set up right in front of the statue in front of the castle and thought it was the perfect shot. I had a place to rest my tired bum during the fireworks and with a standard lens you should be able to fit a good bit of the fireworks in. With a UWA or fisheye, you can get some really neat shots from that area.

We didn't shoot the Villians Mix n Mingle, so no help there.

Have fun and I can't wait to see what you came back with! Our trip last year to MNSSHP were some of the best WDW memories I have---so I know you'll enjoy it!

 

[Docarino]

As far as spots go for the parade...last year we staked out a spot right on the walkway around the hub that leads to Liberty Square. We were right up against the rope and everything we shot was right under a streetlight that stayed on (although it seemed to get dimmer) most of the time. That added a good amount of ambient light and we didn't find it necessary to use flashes for anything. I do like the look of the buildings on Main Street behind the horseman, but after seeing how dark it was I think we made the right choice from a photography standpoint.

As far as HalloWishes, I set up right in front of the statue in front of the castle and thought it was the perfect shot. I had a place to rest my tired bum during the fireworks and with a standard lens you should be able to fit a good bit of the fireworks in. With a UWA or fisheye, you can get some really neat shots from that area.

Thanks, great tips and great photos! I agree, I like the look of Main Street, too but wonder how well that would work. Do you remember how far in advance you claimed that spot for the parade and the fireworks?

If anyone has pictures of the parade on Main Street, I'd love to see those too!

 

[annnewjerz]

Thanks, great tips and great photos! I agree, I like the look of Main Street, too but wonder how well that would work. Do you remember how far in advance you claimed that spot for the parade and the fireworks?

If anyone has pictures of the parade on Main Street, I'd love to see those too!

I believe we got our spot for the parade about 45 minutes or so in advance. As they set up the ropes, we stalked them and then snuck right into the corner so no one was in front of us. I had been talking to a CM about where the best spot might be and he told us to stick with him and when we saw them putting up the rope, hop in. It may have helped that it was my birthday and we dressed as the Village People, so I was obviously being festive!

For HalloWishes, I'd say about 30ish minutes in advance of the show starting.

 

[Docarino]

Thanks for the advice, Ann! I just looked quickly at your October 2009 trip report and will have to read it when I get a chance- you've got some great shots in there, especially dark ride shots!

I'd love to see other people's MNSSHP photos, too, if anyone has any to post or any links!

 

[crz4mm2]

I believe we got our spot for the parade about 45 minutes or so in advance. As they set up the ropes, we stalked them and then snuck right into the corner so no one was in front of us. I had been talking to a CM about where the best spot might be and he told us to stick with him and when we saw them putting up the rope, hop in. It may have helped that it was my birthday and we dressed as the Village People, so I was obviously being festive!

For HalloWishes, I'd say about 30ish minutes in advance of the show starting.

Got any pics of you guys dressed up?
We will be there on the 17th! I am soooo excited.
Taking the new 7D and hope I can get at least a couple of good shots!

 

[annnewjerz]

Got any pics of you guys dressed up?
We will be there on the 17th! I am soooo excited.
Taking the new 7D and hope I can get at least a couple of good shots!

Some people out there will have pics of us dressed up, but I unfortunately am not one of them (at least not as a group). I do have a few cell phone pics though.

Here is one of my DH in his costume (he was a submariner in the NAVY, so his costume was free!)

Here's my BIL as the Cowboy.

Here is my BIL's boyfriend as the Construction Worker.

I was the Indian, but unfortunately there are no pictures of me that I can find. I had a headdress, some "war paint" on my face, a fringed top. Use your imagination!

 

[mom2rtk]

Something to keep in mind is that I believe a lot of buildings on Main Street still have scrims up on them with work going on behind. You'll want to be scoping that out as you walk down Main Street. I know I wouldn't want to have them in the background.

The Villains stage show is done like any other show, with characters well lit with spots against a dark background. You'll want to spot meter for this probably. It's a cool show. You'll enjoy it.

We did 2 parties last year and had a ball. Let me know if you have other questions. We're holding out for MVMCP this year. I did start a thread a while back on the best way to photograph the night party parades. I have been back and forth on whether to use a flash or not. Many were adamantly against it, others were in favor of a mild fill flash. I'll dig around and see if I can find a link. It applies for either MNSSHP or MVMCP.

 

[mom2rtk]

Here's the thread on photographing MVMCP. Really the 2 are very similar in approach. You might find something interesting here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2509299&highlight=mvmcp+flash

 

[Docarino]

Something to keep in mind is that I believe a lot of buildings on Main Street still have scrims up on them with work going on behind. You'll want to be scoping that out as you walk down Main Street. I know I wouldn't want to have them in the background.

The Villains stage show is done like any other show, with characters well lit with spots against a dark background. You'll want to spot meter for this probably. It's a cool show. You'll enjoy it.

We did 2 parties last year and had a ball. Let me know if you have other questions. We're holding out for MVMCP this year. I did start a thread a while back on the best way to photograph the night party parades. I have been back and forth on whether to use a flash or not. Many were adamantly against it, others were in favor of a mild fill flash. I'll dig around and see if I can find a link. It applies for either MNSSHP or MVMCP.

Good advice about the scrims- I was holding out a magical hope that they would miraculously disappear overnight but I know that's not realistic. I've read a lot of thread on other boards where people say stop complaining, the scrims are no big deal but my main issue is that the scrims are not lit up. I don't mind them as much during the day but when you have some buildings lit up and some not, that bothers me.

I remember reading that thread about the parades in the past, I'm on the side of no flash although every now and then I think about using a little fill flash.

I'll be there for MVMCP, too. I decided to live it up this year and make full use of my AP!

Oh, I just thought of a question for you- if I stake out a parade spot in the hub, will I be able to be in the front row and stand, or is everyone else sitting and they will angry with me if I'm standing?

 

[spinetnglr]

I was the Indian, but unfortunately there are no pictures of me that I can find. I had a headdress, some "war paint" on my face, a fringed top. Use your imagination!

Ann ... here is the one picture I have of you from that night LOL .... I was sitting behind you on BTMRR and snapped a quick one of your feathers

 

[spinetnglr]

Here are a few of my shots from the parade ... I was in the same corner as Ann so don't I have any new advice

 

[crz4mm2]

Thanks for the pics. Too bad you don't have one of the group! Great idea btw.
Thanks for all the hints too. I am very stoked

 

[WillowBelle]

I'm reading along with great interest as well. We'll be there the weekend of the 24th. I got DDs and I tickets to the party too - Ann I like the area you scoped out. Think it will be much better than Main St. Seems there is potential for lighter crows as well, wouldn't you say that more people line up along the main drag?

 

[Docarino]

I'm going to the party on the 24! Yesterday, I tried to convince my travel companions that we needed to go to the party on the 22nd, too, but no luck! I guess, if we can't get everything done, there's all the more reason to go again next year!