Photography with my DSLR

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

Hey Guys !

My big family trip (13 of us) is coming up. According to my ticker its 2 weeks and 6 days WOOOOO !!! One of the biggies for me is taking really awesome pics. I've been in my beginning photography class at State University for a month now and I'm in love with taking pictures. Its so much fun. I don't really want to plan my whole trip around taking pictures because I'm going with my whole family and want to have an amazing time because some of them haven't been there before and others haven't been for 20 years !

I know for me, its hard to play around and try to take some quality images at the same time. This is my main dilemma. We are going to be there from Fri - Sun.

Do you guys have any tips that can help me take some great compositions while still having fun getting on rides ?

Where are some spots to hit to take night time pictures ?

Any help would be appreciated !!

 

[CrazyDuck]

I know you've been to Nostalgicdad's smugmug site. If you pull up a photo he has taken at night then hover over the pic with your mouse you will see a "i" icon drop down on the bottom. If you click on the "i" it will display the camera settings he used when taking the shot. You should try and remember some of those to see if you can recreate some of his shots as his work is awesome! I saw another question you asked on the photo of the day thread. Your f-stop can't drop lower than 3.4 because it is a limitation of the lens you are using! You need some "big glass" to get down to < 2.0. Unfortunately those lenses can get real expensive! Since you can't get down that low you may need to slow down your shutter speed to compensate or up your iso settings! But doing either will introduce other negative effects like noise and such.... Remember.. It's digital so shoot plenty shots and experiment with different settings! It's not like you are wasting any film!!! BTW don't forget to post your shots so we can all check out your work!

 

[Lasty K]

I don't know how some people do it lol. They bring in big DSLR's with different kit lenses, and isn't lazy to switch them on and off. Also to put in the bag and bring it back out. Kudos to you for shooting with a DSLR @ DLR lol, or going to.

 

[kylieh]

On most cameras you can specify an ISO setting which may assist. Perhaps 800 or 1600, however the pic will appear to be somewhat grainy. 400 is the highest I would tend to go if possible.

My suggestion is though, before you go jot down a range of combinations of apature, speed, iso, etc, then using the same scene at home or in your street at night try them out. You will get an idea of what your camera/lens combination can do.

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

I know you've been to Nostalgicdad's smugmug site. If you pull up a photo he has taken at night then hover over the pic with your mouse you will see a "i" icon drop down on the bottom. If you click on the "i" it will display the camera settings he used when taking the shot. You should try and remember some of those to see if you can recreate some of his shots as his work is awesome! I saw another question you asked on the photo of the day thread. Your f-stop can't drop lower than 3.4 because it is a limitation of the lens you are using! You need some "big glass" to get down to < 2.0. Unfortunately those lenses can get real expensive! Since you can't get down that low you may need to slow down your shutter speed to compensate or up your iso settings! But doing either will introduce other negative effects like noise and such.... Remember.. It's digital so shoot plenty shots and experiment with different settings! It's not like you are wasting any film!!! BTW don't forget to post your shots so we can all check out your work!

Thanks Sy !! Yeah, my teacher pretty much suggested I get a 50 mm f / 1.8. I found one for not tooooo much money ($119). I got my dad to say he would get it for me so thats pretty good. Thanks for the instructions on how to get on Danny's smugmug, I will DEFINITELY check it out. I promise I'll post as soon as I get back !!!

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

I don't know how some people do it lol. They bring in big DSLR's with different kit lenses, and isn't lazy to switch them on and off. Also to put in the bag and bring it back out. Kudos to you for shooting with a DSLR @ DLR lol, or going to.

Thaaanks ! I'm trying to keep it as minimal as possible, so I think I'll bring my tripod, camera and maybe my 50 mm lens when my dad gets it for me

On most cameras you can specify an ISO setting which may assist. Perhaps 800 or 1600, however the pic will appear to be somewhat grainy. 400 is the highest I would tend to go if possible.

My suggestion is though, before you go jot down a range of combinations of apature, speed, iso, etc, then using the same scene at home or in your street at night try them out. You will get an idea of what your camera/lens combination can do.

Good to know ! Thank you. I actually went out to this outdoor mall/street where everyone goes on the weekends to party (since there are clubs & bars there) and I played around with my settings there. I am planning on going back there again when there aren't so many people !

 

[ramkam]

My best tip for DSLR shooting at Disneyland/DCA is to bring a large zip lock bag. When you go on a really wet ride you can quickly slip your camera into the bag and keep it dry. I have had the most success using a 50mm 1.8 lens at night. Increase the ISO and consider center weighted or spot metering. The hard part is the contrast can get so extreme. Use the photography link in my signature to see some of my images. Have fun.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Thanks Sy !! Yeah, my teacher pretty much suggested I get a 50 mm f / 1.8. I found one for not tooooo much money ($119). I got my dad to say he would get it for me so thats pretty good. Thanks for the instructions on how to get on Danny's smugmug, I will DEFINITELY check it out. I promise I'll post as soon as I get back !!!

I think you are talking about the Nikon lens right? If so then you should remember that with the smaller sensor that 50mm lens actually acts like a 75mm lens with the 1.5x factor. 75mm is ok but it is a little narrow. A much better lens for only like $100 more than the 50mm would be the 35mm. It will net you a true 50mm with the 1.5x factor. Also the 35mm has a metal casing vs the plastic casing on the 50mm.

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

My best tip for DSLR shooting at Disneyland/DCA is to bring a large zip lock bag. When you go on a really wet ride you can quickly slip your camera into the bag and keep it dry. I have had the most success using a 50mm 1.8 lens at night. Increase the ISO and consider center weighted or spot metering. The hard part is the contrast can get so extreme. Use the photography link in my signature to see some of my images. Have fun.

Thanks for the tips !!! I will most definitely remember to bring a zip lock to protect my camera !!!


Your pictures are great This makes me so excited about going to DLR !

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

I think you are talking about the Nikon lens right? If so then you should remember that with the smaller sensor that 50mm lens actually acts like a 75mm lens with the 1.5x factor. 75mm is ok but it is a little narrow. A much better lens for only like $100 more than the 50mm would be the 35mm. It will net you a true 50mm with the 1.5x factor. Also the 35mm has a metal casing vs the plastic casing on the 50mm.

Good to know ! If I can get my dad to, maybe i'll get the 35mm I can't really spend the money right now only b/c I'm a part time waitress and we leave in two weeks.. ICK !!!