photo sharing: Spectromagic!

[annnewjerz]

We just returned from seven fun days at the Walt Disney World Resort. I will discuss the trip itself in an upcoming trip report, but for now, here is this shot.

This is a shot that I have had envisioned since during studying for finals in May (I think of any reason I can to daydream while studying). At the time, I was absolutely ecstatic about the shot. I thought it had never been tried before, as I had never seen a shot like it. That did, however, get me a little worried, as usually when I think of a shot that I have never seen, it: a) can't be done (angles don't line up how I remember them, things have moved/changed in the parks, or it simply isn't technically possible), or b) has been done, and I just haven't seen it, or forgot I have seen it. Although I later saw discussion about this type of shot after clicking one of Mark’s links to his other “how to” guides from the Dark Ride guide (which was a little deflating since I thought my idea was unique!), I still have yet to see a Spectro long exposure, although I doubt I'm the only one ever to have done it...

Given that I had been waiting so long to get this shot (and since it was at the "top" of my list), I wanted to get it as quickly as possible. However tripod issues and large crowds postponed it until the last night. Concerned that we wouldn't get the spot we needed at the Main Street Train Station, we waited an hour and a half in advance for this spot. It was actually pretty fun waiting there, and we even managed to 'sneak' some fine cuisine from Cosmic Ray's over for the wait. I captured several similar shots of the parade, but this is the best, in my opinion.

Anyway, here it is:

Clicking the picture takes you to its Flickr page, where there is EXIF, etc.

Anyone else have any Spectro long exposures?

It's fantastic. I know I have seen a couple shorter long exposures of Spectro around here, but this one is definitely the longest. LOVE the colors and that you were able to catch it coming all the way up Main Street.

PS: How'd you like the D90 in The World? I know you took a D40 last time and we'll be going in October & December with a D90, looking forward to your TR so I can see what I can expect from it on dark rides, etc.

 

[Gdad]

Well done. I would have expected at 11mm you could have got the whole thing but I guess not. Maybe with a fisheye next time? Then of course the castle would be a distant spec. This is very nice.

 

[KCmike]

Wonderful image. Love that shot.

 

[Gdad]

Be sure to post it here as well-

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2242155

 

[DebºoºS]

Great shot! Beautiful colors! I've seen some looong exposures but this has got to be the best long shot I've seen of Spectro. Brilliant idea. Thanks for sharing

Hope you were able to escape the DHS rain on Wed. We ducked under the hat

 

[Steve's Girl]

Very cool shot. Nicely done.

 

[VVFF]

Question, how do you guys verify that you aren't going to overexposure during shots like these. I mean, you probably use a very high F-stop and the lowest ISO possible. But even with that you can overexpose. Is it simple trial and error?

 

[KarenAylwood]

Question, how do you guys verify that you aren't going to overexposure during shots like these. I mean, you probably use a very high F-stop and the lowest ISO possible. But even with that you can overexpose. Is it simple trial and error?

I was thinking the exact same thing!


I'm assuming you used the bulb setting- so how'd you get the exposure right?

 

[WDWFigment]

Well done. I would have expected at 11mm you could have got the whole thing but I guess not. Maybe with a fisheye next time? Then of course the castle would be a distant spec. This is very nice.

I assumed the same thing (that 11mm would have been enough). I debated how I should frame it given that it all wouldn't be in frame, and decided this was the best way to go. Originally I planned on doing about a 50mm vertical shot up Main St. from the right side of the train station, but in scoping out the spot, I realized it didn't look the same way in reality as it did in my head, and that the shot I envisioned wouldn't be as good. So I went with this.

The only thing I did to this in post was to dial down the highlights a tad and increase the vibrance.

Question, how do you guys verify that you aren't going to overexposure during shots like these. I mean, you probably use a very high F-stop and the lowest ISO possible. But even with that you can overexpose. Is it simple trial and error?

You don't. It's just a matter of being comfortable with your knowledge of exposure and some luck. I have found that any Disney night shot (not just this one) is more about what you think will look good rather than what the meter tells you is proper.

 

[Kaigler]

Beautiful picture. I think it turned out quite nice. You should be very pleased!

I was following your countdown on Flickr and I look forward to seeing the rest of your pictures from the trip!

 

[mom2rtk]

You don't. It's just a matter of being comfortable with your knowledge of exposure and some luck. I have found that any Disney night shot (not just this one) is more about what you think will look good rather than what the meter tells you is proper.

I guess if it didn't turn out right, you could have just asked them for a do-over, right???? Or you could have waited a WEEK for the next Spectro showing....

Seriously, gorgeous photo. I love seeing the Magic Kingdom in a new way. And for you to plot it out in your mind and have it turn out just right is a testament to your skill!

 

[kaffinito]

Wonderful shot - very well executed!

Now I have the Spectro music stuck in my head...

 

[Golf4food]

Nicely done. I gave you a Flickr favorite. Hope it winds up in Explore for you.

 

[crazydadguy]

Something I have used to "plan out" a shot in the Kingdom, is google earth. It has 3d buildings for all of disney, so they stand up and you can zoom down to eye level on main street. They also have a time of day simulator, so you can get a feel for the light at any particular time anywhere in disney. Its a great scouting tool. Wonderful picture by the way.

 

[Todd_H]

Great idea and great results! Love how this turned out!

 

[raysnkaysmom]

Question, how do you guys verify that you aren't going to overexposure during shots like these. I mean, you probably use a very high F-stop and the lowest ISO possible. But even with that you can overexpose. Is it simple trial and error?

I assumed the same thing (that 11mm would have been enough). I debated how I should frame it given that it all wouldn't be in frame, and decided this was the best way to go. Originally I planned on doing about a 50mm vertical shot up Main St. from the right side of the train station, but in scoping out the spot, I realized it didn't look the same way in reality as it did in my head, and that the shot I envisioned wouldn't be as good. So I went with this.

The only thing I did to this in post was to dial down the highlights a tad and increase the vibrance.



.

Yeah...all that camera talk... it sounds Japanese to me!!

I sooo have alot to learn.

 

[WillowBelle]

Beautiful shot! LOVE all the colors. Nighttime photography is my favorite. I may steal this idea from you when we go back, if you don't mind. That was an incredible idea! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Your pic is so beautiful I'm now using the largest version from your Flickr album as my Windows background!!

A fantastic idea, brilliantly executed!!!

 

[WDWFigment]

Beautiful shot! LOVE all the colors. Nighttime photography is my favorite. I may steal this idea from you when we go back, if you don't mind. That was an incredible idea! Thanks for sharing!!!

I don't mind at all. I probably will never camp out that long for a Spectro view again, so I doubt I'll ever "re-take" this shot. I do, however, have a few others from that evening (and one decent one from a "practice run" a couple nights before when I didn't have a good spot) that I'll be posting relatively soon and in my trip report. Definitely give it a try--I'd love to see others' results!

Your pic is so beautiful I'm now using the largest version from your Flickr album as my Windows background!!

A fantastic idea, brilliantly executed!!!

Thanks! I thought about using it for my background, but one of my new nighttime shots of Tomorrowland took that role. You can't beat Tomorrowland at night!

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

You can't beat Tomorrowland at night!

Oh, sure you can ... 130 seconds of Spectromagic!