Photopass rants...

[atmail35]

so I finally viewed my photos and I have a "complaint" or two.

1) Why is DD holding up her hand w/ no balloons in them? Anyone know if I contact them if they can add it now?

2) My only photo in front of the DL entrance...the darn train is blocking the "Disneyland" sign on the building!

3) in the above photo (#2) a stranger is partially in my pic and I can't crop him out easily. It would have been a perfect pic with no one else in it! I realize DL is a crowded place and people are everywhere. I would have waited 2 seconds to allow said person to step out of the shot.

4) A bunch are overexposed

5) A bunch DD isn't looking at the camera (and I wasn't taking a picture at the same time).

6) Off center photos.

they did get a lot of nice shots, but I have to admit I was relying on PP so I wouldn't have to take so many photos myself and a few key pics are disappointing. Also some of my own pics are better, but unless I pay to upload them to PP, I can't add borders. To save us time and since I preordered, I decided not to have them shoot a pic with my camera (which I would have checked).

Ok rant over. Anyone have any complaints they'd like to share?

 

[AmberStar]

oh no!

That makes me so sad. I pre-ordered our photopass plus for December and I'm so looking forward to having PP to rely on. I was not planning on having them use our camera at all if they are taking pics. I figured we would only us our camera when we are in non-PP locations. But now maybe I should rethink that. I just dont want to tote around a big camera and just take my point and shoot to toss in my bag.

Hmm... Love to hear more input.

Sorry this happened to you.

 

[jemmi]

We just got back and I have the same complaint about the front entrance, I also have the train blocking the Disneyland sign. Other than that I'm very happy with my pictures, I got the magic shots and Tinker Bell and the balloons are there. I carried around our point and shoot camera and had them take come pictures with it but relied on the photo pass pictures for night time shots. I was very pleased with what we got. I love all our character shots, they took pictures as we were greeting the characters not just the posed pictures. I would do it again, it's a great deal!

 

[Geemo]

I've used PP+ three times now.
The last time the pictures ALL came out so nice. The other two times it was hit-or-miss.

After reviewing the Disney's photographers pic's I have come to the conclusion that I need to pick the setting if I wanting a special out come for the pic.

By this I mean...
Watch what the back ground will be. For our shot with the castle back drop, I asked them to take the shot when the people in the background were at a minimum. We also waited until the sunlight would be best. I've learned when you take pic's with full sun on our faces the pic's aren't as nice.

For our family pic in DCA by Grizzly Mt's water fall, I waited until later in the day when the spot was in the shade. Same for the one in front of CarsLand's bill-board, the day was overcast and cloudy so it was perfect!

Note the sunlight for the pic. I found pic's in the BRIGHT sun of the day were washed out. You'd think Disney's photographer would know how to adjust the f-stops and other possible settings on their nice cameras.

I always have them use my camera too. Some of the times the shot has turned out better than theirs.

Now that I take time of days SUNSHINE into account the pic's have been fine.

The ones they have taken in shade or under cover usually turn out fine.

 

[superlarz]

oh no!

That makes me so sad. I pre-ordered our photopass plus for December and I'm so looking forward to having PP to rely on. I was not planning on having them use our camera at all if they are taking pics. I figured we would only us our camera when we are in non-PP locations. But now maybe I should rethink that. I just dont want to tote around a big camera and just take my point and shoot to toss in my bag.

Hmm... Love to hear more input.

Sorry this happened to you.

I wouldnt rely on Photopass 100%, there isnt always a photographer around, especially when you see a character just walking around and want a picture

 

[atmail35]

This was our second time at DL doing PP+ and I would still do it again, but need to change my expectations! I do think the photographers could use more training in photography. Some are really good, others are very average.

Geemo is correct, lighting is a factor. The hard part is we never seem to have enough time at DL so if we are passing a PP photographer we try to stop or we might not go back.

DD's magic shot w/ balloons did not come out (by the castle). DH is holding them in front of the entrance (with the stranger in pic ). She did get one w/ Pascale on her arm. They didn't take tinkerbell, but we do have that one from a previous trip.

I also think Geemo is right about letting them shoot w/ your camera. I was trying to save time/hassle of taking it out and not do it this time. Last summer they got a bunch of great shots w/ my DSLR.

My eyes are closed in a few, but they did shoot another shot so that's fine.

Characters, they do get them running up and getting autographs. I need to remind DD next time to look at the PP photographer when she is posing w/ the character...a few she must be looking at me or DH. But the photographer should say, "look at me now princess" and that would be taken care of.

I do think it is worth it, especially if you do character meals or like to buy ride photos.

And another note to self....have DD wear a different sweatshirt, she had almost the identical outfit in 90% of the pics, but that is my fault!

 

[SMD]

Always, always, always check your photos at the shop before your last day in the parks so you can retake them if any don't come out.

I've noticed that not all PP CMs have a background in photography. I think the cameras are on auto and if the accidentally move a dial or switch, you're going to get over exposed shots. I wish they'd take a minimum of 2 shots. Even if they're both bad, if someone blinks or someone is walking in the background, at least there's a possibility of a less bad choice. When I take pics for other people, I always adjust the angle a little and take a second shot. Too much pressure to get it right the first time.

 

[BirdsSingWords]

I love most of the shots we got with our PP+. My favorites, though, are the morning photos, before things got too sunny. Best lighting, and nobody's squinting.

If we do PP+ again, i might dedicate a morning to running around to various PP locations. We also looked fresher and not so windblown from fast rides, so that's a morning bonus too. Plus, there were very few strangers in the background.

 

[rachaeld]

If you have magic shots without the "magic" use the contact us in Photopass to tell them. We had tinkerbell photos without tinkerbell and they added her in for us.

 

[Chrisfilm]

Do you have to ask for these 'magic' shots?

 

[atmail35]

Always, always, always check your photos at the shop before your last day in the parks so you can retake them if any don't come out.

I've noticed that not all PP CMs have a background in photography. I think the cameras are on auto and if the accidentally move a dial or switch, you're going to get over exposed shots. I wish they'd take a minimum of 2 shots. Even if they're both bad, if someone blinks or someone is walking in the background, at least there's a possibility of a less bad choice. When I take pics for other people, I always adjust the angle a little and take a second shot. Too much pressure to get it right the first time.

It is good advice to check your photos (even daily), but we always run out of time. I also can't recall for sure if something is missing since it's been a few weeks since we got back (trying to stretch out the 30/30 days since I've been too busy to work on the borders.

I also need to make some sort of list (even on my phone) of photos we had done, because it is so hard to recall if all my photos made it to my account.

Good advice!

 

[atmail35]

I love most of the shots we got with our PP+. My favorites, though, are the morning photos, before things got too sunny. Best lighting, and nobody's squinting.

If we do PP+ again, i might dedicate a morning to running around to various PP locations. We also looked fresher and not so windblown from fast rides, so that's a morning bonus too. Plus, there were very few strangers in the background.

More good advice...I think I need to plan another day at DLR...clearly what we are doing is not enough!

Our best shots are our last morning. We went in for EMH and were only spending a few hours since we had to drive to SD. Some nice shots....but I pushed it too far and we had to get out of Dodge to check out of our hotel by 11.

 

[atmail35]

If you have magic shots without the "magic" use the contact us in Photopass to tell them. We had tinkerbell photos without tinkerbell and they added her in for us.

Ok, thanks I'll call them!

 

[atmail35]

Do you have to ask for these 'magic' shots?

Sometimes the Photographer will suggest it and ask you to hold up your arm for balloons or whatever. If you want them you should ask, but not all Photographers have the ability to do it. And if they have a tripod (in the evening), I do not think they can do it.

I find it can't hurt to ask when it's your turn if they can do one or two.

 

[JacksGirlz]

If your hands aren't in the correct position (even when you followed the photo pass photographers directions on how to hold your hands) they aren't able to add the balloons to the magic shot. My DD and I apparently had our hands at the exact right angle and the balloons were added but my DSis and her hubby did not have their hands quite right and I was told they couldn't be added. It's too bad that it needs to be so precise to add the balloons and that the photographers can't seem to tell it wasn't right and therefore line you up better and take another pic.

 

[msmama]

Every PP photog on my recent trip actually asked to take some with my camera too, if I had it out.

Also several of them went out of their way to tell me they would spend more time with me since I had the PP+ card. (And did). I found a few standing around waiting for characters who took some interesting ones (not in normal spots, I guess). Since it was just my son and I I definitely wanted to be in I pics.

The only complaints I have we're - they weren't always out during EMH which would have been nice on empty streets and there weren't really a ton of them.

 

[Chrisfilm]

Sometimes the Photographer will suggest it and ask you to hold up your arm for balloons or whatever. If you want them you should ask, but not all Photographers have the ability to do it. And if they have a tripod (in the evening), I do not think they can do it.

I find it can't hurt to ask when it's your turn if they can do one or two.

Okay, thanks. These magic shots are not really something I'm interested in, so I was kind of hoping you had to request them and hope they aren't constantly trying to get us to do them. Of course, I always have the option of saying 'no thanks'.

 

[CassieF]

I'm in the parks frequently and yeah, they are typically not the best trained and don't take the best pictures, cutting things off, not centering, etc. my last disney visa meet and greet I asked them to take a bunch and in different poses since I get two prints, and even still, I felt like they were half a second off on their timing. I thought all the pictures were pretty terrible and didn't want any, my sister found 2 that were acceptable (I still think my niece looks terrified, but whatever).

 

[Carolynleanne]

I wouldnt rely on Photopass 100%, there isnt always a photographer around, especially when you see a character just walking around and want a picture

I agree. We've gotten it on our last two trips and gotten some AWESOME shots, but they aren't always awesome. I take a ton of photos myself and between the two I get a good amount

 

[etaber5]

oh no! That makes me so sad. I pre-ordered our photopass plus for December and I'm so looking forward to having PP to rely on. I was not planning on having them use our camera at all if they are taking pics. I figured we would only us our camera when we are in non-PP locations. But now maybe I should rethink that. I just dont want to tote around a big camera and just take my point and shoot to toss in my bag. Hmm... Love to hear more input. Sorry this happened to you.

I decided to leave my DSLR at home this last trip and ordered the PP+. Those of us who know what we are doing with a camera have a tendency to be really critical of others photos that being said, I am not sorry that I relied on the photopass photogs and their equipment. It's nice to have some pics with me in them. I enjoyed not lugging around my own equipment and just using our iPhones for snapshots. I will be doing it this way in the future, plus it's nice to get all those ride photos included with the PP+, that alone is worth getting it even if you do bring your big camera. When I got our photos downloaded I had enough great shots to choose from that I felt it was worth my being able to relax a bit and not be the vacation photog that I usually am.