"MUSTS" for a first time adventurer

[OrganDonor]

Hello all. I am new to this board, new to DSLR's (which brought me here), and will be going to Disney for the FIRST time (not too old YET) with my DW and two wonderful boys. They are 3 & 5, and this will be a first for them as well. DW went many times as a child, but I think she is more excited than any of us so far.

So, I have been reading the forums and looking at the pictures. There are so many, and they are very good. What are some of the MUST TAKE pictures for a rookie? Not just the classic shots, like the castle, but some things that you wished you had taken pictures of the first time you went, and didn't.

I have a D80 with a 50 1.8 prime, a 18-70, and 18-200, and a tripod. I have learned from this board it is a must for fireworks and night shots.

Any tips would be appreciated. The trip is some time away, but we are all ready to go.
Thanks!

 

[YEKCIM]

I contend that you can stand in any spot in any of the four theme parks, turn in any direction (usually including up and down...) and there is a great shot just waiting to be taken. I would refer you to two threads on this forum that I suggest you peruse (if you have the time) to get some ideas. There are some *excellent* photographers who are forum regulars, and there are some awesome shots posted on both threads. I can't spend too much time looking, though, as it is more temptation that I can deal with and I almost instinctively try to call my travel agent to book a trip!

Here are the threads:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=836587

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1144547

Take plenty of memory cards, and be sure to post some of your best shots on this forum!

~YEKCIM

 

[tinksdad]

The interesting thing about WDW is there is SOOOO many great shots just waiting for you to take them. Since this is your first time, you're going to be overwhelmed with all that is going on around you and all there is to absorb and see. Just have fun and take shot of things that make you smile or say ahhhh!!

I assume that you have children that you're taking too?? Great interaction shots with the characters are always fun. Look for small things that are interesting to you and take those. Another approach is to use your photos as a story book. Take a series of photos that will tell the viewers a story about your vacation!!

And HAVE FUN!!!

 

[boBQuincy]

I agree, stand in any spot and look around, if you don't see something worth photographing, look again. The details are amazing and I always see more each time I visit WDW.

One tip: the magic light is in the early morning and early evening, when the low sunlight and artificial light are in balance. In any season except Winter the morning light is probably before park opening but the evenings are usually good.
Skip the rides at these times of day and capture the lights on Main Street, the Castle, Spaceship Earth, lit fountains, pretty much whatever has light on it.

Have fun!

 

[tinksdad]

Glad you mentioned that Bob!! The light is soo special at both of those times. And in the morning, almost nobody is up yet!! (of course, the parks aren't open yet either.......) That's a great time to shoot that special place you've had your eye on from the day before at the resort.

 

[Groucho]

The "magic hour" is great but always fleeting... it's tough to remember it if you're busy actually doing things other than concentrating on photography.

Like the others have said, there's just too much. The fact that BobQuincy just took over 2,000 photos in three days should tell you that there's plenty to point your camera at. I took over 2,500 on my last trip but I was there for 10 days so that makes me sound like a slacker on a per-day basis - but I was sick the first few days.

I'm glad to see that you've got a nice fast prime... I used my 50mm 1.4 for just under half of my photos. WDW is generally pretty dark inside buildings, and at night it's really dark - don't expect brightly-lit sidewalks everywhere you go, so you really need a fast lens.

Just don't get so carried away with photography that you forget to experience the trip for yourself and your family - you didn't say how long you're going, but you'll never see everything in your first trip, the trick is to accept that and enjoy the things you can do, and take the time to go slow occasionally and notice the little details, listen to musicians, watch street performers, whatever. The key is to have fun, not to check off every attraction on the map.

Besides, you'll probably begin planning your next trip before you're home from that one!

 

[JR6ooo4]

Just don't get so carried away with photography that you forget to experience the trip for yourself and your family -

Besides, you'll probably begin planning your next trip before you're home from that one!

Get pics of the kids. They will only be this age once. Did you say this was your first trip as well. Almost any cast member will gladly take your picture so you can be in them as well. A tripod and remote is nice for fireworks, etc... You can set up the cam and keep hitting the button while still enjoying with the family (somewhat). Which brings me to bringing lots of memory, and a backup if you have ut. Like a laptop. I upload all mine to the laptop, then burn a dvd before travel back home. My cam and laptop bags are my only two carry-on bags.
check out the "Image below me" thread for realy great shots as well as the other links posted

Mikeeee

 

[Amy]

Just don't get so carried away with photography that you forget to experience the trip for yourself and your family - you didn't say how long you're going, but you'll never see everything in your first trip, the trick is to accept that and enjoy the things you can do, and take the time to go slow occasionally and notice the little details, listen to musicians

Amen to this! It's your first trip and the first trip for your boys - enjoy the trip through your eyes, not just through the lens.

I'd also suggest getting lots of pictures of your kids - not just the "posed" shots (standing next to a character, in front of the castle, etc.), but take some candid shots. Sure, the subject may be off-center or a little out of focus if you had to shoot quickly to capture the moment, but you're looking to record memories, not necessarily taking a picture that'll win 1st place in some competition. If you don't get a shot of some building/ride/store, you can always go online and find one. But nobody else will have a picture of your kids.

Another suggestion: if you're planning on making WDW an annual or semi-annual vacation destination, maybe take a posed shot of your kids at a specific location. For instance, the folks who stay at the Wilderness Lodge use the totem pole by the store in the lobby and take pictures of their kids there each trip so they can see how the kids grow up. "Our" spot is the bench in front of the Partners statue in MK.

Have a great trip!

 

[PoohJen]

I agree - lots of candids of your family!

and, slightly off topic, but consider a video camera too! I took video of my oldest son's first wdw trip, and he/we watched it for years! Not so much video in later years as the sibs came along, etc....

I still love to go back and see some of that old footage. Thanks to the video, that first trip is still exceptionally vivid in my memories!

Wow, the first time is SO special! I hope you and your family have a GREAT time!!!

 

[ndelaware]

Get pics of the kids. They will only be this age once.

This is it exactly!!!!

 

[handicap18]

Looks like you have yourself a good setup, I'd venture to say that you'll use the 18-200 a lot more than the 18-70. Make sure you put the 50mm to good use. Excellent to use on the indoor rides, set ISO to 1600 and use aperture priority set to f/1.8. More often than not you'll get more than accepatable shutter speeds to capture the shot. Its also a good lens to use for The Spectromagic Parade. You don't want to wash out the lights on the floats with the flash, so using the 50mm with the same settings mentined above should do pretty good. Though you may want to up the exposure compensation a bit. Just monitor the pics to see what your getting.

I love taking pics at Epcots World Showcase, each country has so much to offer (don't forget the little things, even the merchandise on display can make for great pics). Take pics of the kids in the different countries trying different hats and other things, this gets them involved in the picture taking and makes things fun. Animal Kingdom is loaded with detail, especially the Tree of Life and the waterfalls and everything.

Don't be affraid that your taking to many pictures. Just be sure your also seeing things yourself and not just through the view finder. Its certainly easy to get carried away. Just be sure to enjoy it all and your family.

Take more memory than you'll think you'll need. You can get 2GB SD cards for a little as $20+ shipping. They fill up fast with a 10.1MP camera. Also do you have a backup battery? If not, you should get one. I have 2 backups along with 8GB in SD cards.


With the kids being 3 & 5 you'll find yourself spending time in the playgrounds a lot. They are fun and great picture opportunities. Pooh's Playful Spot in MK, there is also a playground in ToonTown at MK, Honey I shrunk the Kids movie set playground, my DS at age 3 1/2 LOVED that place, its at MGM, there is also a cool playground at Animal Kingdom in DinoLand that he loved as well. Epcot has a lot of little area's around the park. Don't forget about your resort. Lots of great detail if your staying at a Disney Resort Hotel.

Enjoy and definately post pics when you get back!!!

 

[OrganDonor]

Thanks for all the great replies. Keep them coming!!

This is a very special trip for another reason - I will be a year post liver transplantation for a gnenetic disease. There were times we didn't think we would see another year, so the comments about spending time with the kids and the DW are definitely true. Its amazing how perspective can change, and for the better.
We are staying for a week, so should have enough time to see the basics. We do want this to be an annual event, and the idea of taking a photo in aspecific place each time is really neat. I hadn't thought of that. Thats one of the little insights I appreciate you guys for. Being a rookie with the D80, the setting suggestions are appreciated too.

 

[ndelaware]

We have taken a picture of our girls in front of the "shrubbery" elephants at "Dumbo" on every trip to WDW. I framed tem and keep them on the fireplace mantel.

 

[handicap18]

f/8 is your friend.

For fireworks shots I like ISO 200, f/8-f/11 with about a 3-6 second shutter. Use the remote shutter and tripod. Focus on the castle, then once focus is locked switch to Manual focus, this way each time the remote shutter is released it wont try to refocus.

Same settings for the SSE at night, Illuminations (as well as all around World Showcase) and The Hat at MGM at night. Also ToT and the guitar outside RnRC are very cool night shots as is just about everything in Tomorrowland. Get a nice view of the castle at night from the bridge to Liberty Square. The reflection of the castle in the water there at night is great.

Get some nice shots of the family at night with the various "Icons" lit up as the backdrop. Start with ISO 200, then use 1/60th and f/8 or f/5.6 or so with just a fill flash to light up the family. Do a quick check in the LCD, if needed widen the aperture a bit. Others may have a more exact setting, but those type of shots are always nice to have.

Glad to hear of your recovery. Congradulations! Stick around a bit here and you may actually learn something (I know I have) and maybe have a bit of fun. Remember, we also like non-Disney pictures too.

 

[OrganDonor]

Some pictures I have taken. Hasn't been really warm enough here yet to spend a lot of time outdoors. Looking forward to spring.
This is my first attempt with posting, so here goes...
Well... denied!! LOL. Seems my post count is too low.

I'll try again when I have more than 10 posts.

 

[Groucho]

Congratulations on the recovery! Isn't medical science wonderful!

For fireworks, I like using bulb mode - where you hold the shutter down (usually via remote) for as long as you want. This lets you work the shutter in time with the fireworks, without a pre-set shutter time cutting off the end of something you were shooting, or with it staying open too long. Of course, the exposure level varies depending on how long you keep it open, but you'll actually probably have more exposure control, since you won't know ahead of time just how many fireworks will go off in the fixed-shutter-speed setting. If just one or two, you'll have a dark photo; if many, it will be overexposed and blown out.

I am a big fan of having a tripod at night but it's more than many want to deal with. Alternatives are a Gorillapod, Clamperpod, bean bag, monopod, etc. Having a rock-solid platform for your camera really gives you a lot of options for taking really nice night photos. The family might get a little impatient though... if you are planning on returning often, then don't go too crazy trying to get every photo. Most of it will still be there next time!

 

[OrganDonor]

Groucho -
Actually, I did a search and found either a recommendation from you or another veteran, and bought a velbon ultralux i sf. Its small enough to fit in my wifes backpack, LOL!

I'm learning all the time, and taking what settings you guys are giving and testing them here, without the fireworks, of course!

 

[jann1033]

someone once posted they bought their kids over sized teeshirts with their favorite character and every time they went back took a photo of the same place/kid in teeshirt, until eventually the shirt fit. i wish we had thought to do something similar when our kids were little.( i skimmed the other posts so hope this isn't a repeat )