Night Parade Pics

[PixieDust32]

Hi,

I have a Nikon D90 and recently purchased new lenses, (Nikon Nikkor AF-S 55-300mm f/4.5-5.)

Now, how can I set my camera to take good pictures of the night parades at Disney and the fireworks, if you can point me to a thread that would be awesome.

I also want to take homecoming and senior pictures for my DD, any advice or tips would be really helpful, we are going to some Gardens with her date and 6 other couples.


Thank you so much for your time.

Roxy

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Take a look at the Welcome thread which lists a tutorial on shooting at WDW.

The nighttime parades can be difficult to shoot because of moving subjects in low light. You say you bought new lenses and list one, did you buy others or do you have some fast ones with f2.8 or lower? You will have to use a combination of higher ISO and large aperture (small f stops 2.8, 2, 1.8, 1.4) to achieve a faster shutter speed to keep the images from blurring due to motion. My last trip I used my 28-70 f2.8 but the limiting factor was my camera body's poor high ISO usability. My limit is 1600 and is barely usable. I had to apply a lot of noise reduction. Here are a couple at ISO 800 that I consider ok, but took a little PP.


Electrical Parade Drum 2 by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr


Tink Float Electrical Parade by Gianna'sPapa, on Flickr

This year I'm taking a 30mm f 1.4 with a new camera body with higher usable ISO and I'm expecting better!

 

[handicap18]

I would suggest getting the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens. For night shots like the Disney night parade you'll need a lens that has a VERY wide opening (the smaller the number the larger the opening when it comes to f/stops, since f/stops are fractions).

This particular lens goes for about $120 new. I have used it for the night parade at Disney and also the Disney Christmas parade at night. Combing the wide f/stop (Which on the lens would be f/1.8) with a high ISO like 1600 you will get a fast enough shutter speed to stop the action (usually at least 1/60 or faster) and get a nice clear picture.

I've also used this lens to take some great portraits. It is tack sharp from f/4 and up. An even better tool to use for portraits is a good flash such as the SB-700.

For fireworks, it really doesn't matter which lens. To get the best shots you'll need a tripod to be able to use a long shutter speed (2-10 seconds).

Here are a few of mine.

This is one of my favorites... Nikon D50, 50mm f/1.8 lens at f/5.6 and the SB-600 flash with diffuser:

this one a few years later, same stats as above, except with my Nikon D300 instead of the D50:

 

[mom2rtk]

There are a ton of night parade photos in my December 2010 trip report linked below in my signature. There's also a lot of photography talk along the way.

One of the things I love about my Canon T2i is its performance at higher ISO's. I shot this at 3200 ISO last December.

The challenge is to be able to use an adequate shutter speed so that the moving objects don't blur. You can shoot a stationary object (like a castle) quite easily at a lower ISO becuase you can put the camera on a tripod to hold it still ....... and the castle doesn't move.


mk2partyparadecindycoach by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[krb2g]

For the fireworks, you'll definitely want to use a tripod. I'd also recommend www.disneyphotographyblog.com and www.disneytouristblog.com for Disney photo tips.

 

[PixieDust32]

OK my other lens is a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-105mm. Thank you so much for your help.

 

[PixieDust32]

For the fireworks, you'll definitely want to use a tripod. I'd also recommend www.disneyphotographyblog.com and www.disneytouristblog.com for Disney photo tips.

OK, I do have a tripod for that, I just want to get pics of the night parade like some or similar to the ones some of you posted here. Thanks

 

[PixieDust32]

There are a ton of night parade photos in my December 2010 trip report linked below in my signature. There's also a lot of photography talk along the way.

One of the things I love about my Canon T2i is its performance at higher ISO's. I shot this at 3200 ISO last December.

The challenge is to be able to use an adequate shutter speed so that the moving objects don't blur. You can shoot a stationary object (like a castle) quite easily at a lower ISO becuase you can put the camera on a tripod to hold it still ....... and the castle doesn't move.


mk2partyparadecindycoach by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Thank you. Love this one, the blue is beautiful.

 

[PixieDust32]

I would suggest getting the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens. For night shots like the Disney night parade you'll need a lens that has a VERY wide opening (the smaller the number the larger the opening when it comes to f/stops, since f/stops are fractions).

This particular lens goes for about $120 new. I have used it for the night parade at Disney and also the Disney Christmas parade at night. Combing the wide f/stop (Which on the lens would be f/1.8) with a high ISO like 1600 you will get a fast enough shutter speed to stop the action (usually at least 1/60 or faster) and get a nice clear picture.

I've also used this lens to take some great portraits. It is tack sharp from f/4 and up. An even better tool to use for portraits is a good flash such as the SB-700.

For fireworks, it really doesn't matter which lens. To get the best shots you'll need a tripod to be able to use a long shutter speed (2-10 seconds).

Here are a few of mine.

This is one of my favorites... Nikon D50, 50mm f/1.8 lens at f/5.6 and the SB-600 flash with diffuser:

this one a few years later, same stats as above, except with my Nikon D300 instead of the D50:

Thank you. All your pics are beautiful too.

 

[PixieDust32]

I think I found it....

http://www.wolfcamera.com/product/541533329.htm

If the link is not allow it please let me know.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/247091-USA/Nikon_2137_Normal_AF_Nikkor_50mm.html

Its a little cheaper at B & H with free shipping.

 

[PixieDust32]

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/247091-USA/Nikon_2137_Normal_AF_Nikkor_50mm.html

Its a little cheaper at B & H with free shipping.

Oh bummer, I already paid for it at wolf, a friend was telling me about this B&H store on facebook, I didn't know oh well, now I know. Thank you.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

B & H, and Adorama are two of the best vendors. Both have brick and mortar stores in New York. I also use Amazon.

 

[PixieDust32]

Thank you. I just discovered B&H, I ordered a bag from them last night. Thank you for all your help.