PRINCESS Palooza 2011! 9/9 Update: Departure Day

[NLD]

The ride actually stopped there for a little bit! And don't think for a moment I wasn't thrilled to BITS!

I had the camera on burst with an ISO of 6400 and set for aperture priority at 1.4. The camera chose 1/8. I would never have been brave enough to go that low on my own. It helped a lot that I had it on burst. I deleted....... shall we say..... a few that didn't turn out as well.

Thing is... I'm still in awe, and this is why....

In 2010 the ride stopped in front of it for me too, and I still couldn't do it, and that's with a full-frame. Don't remember what settings, but I remember they were still blurry. I'll have to go back and look.

You must have ROCK SOLID hands.

 

[mom2rtk]

Haven't been out since the last day off. Need to get back out. I guess I'm really getting old as the colder weather has me really hating winter and its only been in the 20's. Oh my. Dreaming of the summer vacation

I hear ya. Life just seems to get in the way of working with the camera any other time of the year for me too. Summer vacation and Disney are like photography boot camp for me.

Thing is... I'm still in awe, and this is why....

In 2010 the ride stopped in front of it for me too, and I still couldn't do it, and that's with a full-frame. Don't remember what settings, but I remember they were still blurry. I'll have to go back and look.

You must have ROCK SOLID hands.

I'm chalking it up to luck. Because the thing is..... my hands are as unsteady as they come. I've had hand tremors since I was very young. For a long time I didn't think I would ever work out the photography thing because of it.

I really do think it was mostly about about shooting on burst mode. I also tried to steady the camera as much as possible by pulling my elbows in tight against my body..... and got lucky.

It sounds like that ride has a habit of stopping there. What lens were you using? I was certainly glad I had taken the trouble to put the 1.4 lens on. Many times I get lazy and don't.

 

[NLD]

I probably had the Nikon 50 1.4D on... it's my go-to lens for most stuff, especially dark rides. But it could've been a 28 2.8.... but doubt I'd have done 2.8 when I had a faster lens available. Will have to check.

Did you manual focus?

Glad to hear the hand tremors haven't held you back! You make beautiful pictures!

 

[mom2rtk]

I probably had the Nikon 50 1.4D on... it's my go-to lens for most stuff, especially dark rides. But it could've been a 28 2.8.... but doubt I'd have done 2.8 when I had a faster lens available. Will have to check.

Did you manual focus?

Glad to hear the hand tremors haven't held you back! You make beautiful pictures!

Aww.... many thanks.

I still have not practiced manual focus so I did not. I hate to miss these very limited opportunities trying to learn that additional skill. My mind is still pretty tied up with getting all the other settings right. One day though....... Manual focus is definitely on my "photography to do" list. I'm going to have to if I ever want to conquer Peter Pan. And try I must......

You know, if I had been thinking, that trip through HM would have been the prefect chance to try manual. With the extra time stopped, I might have done OK. I also still want a picture of us with the ghosts in our car at the end. I don't think there's any hope with that one unless I go manual. I never seem to be able to lock focus on anything there.

Do you have your camera bag all packed for your trip? How many lenses are you bringing?

 

[NLD]

I don't ever manual focus either. Horrible, terrible eyesight... I trust the camera more, and if the camera can't do it, oh well.

Bag packed--not yet, in fact I might still pick up some other means of schleping it all around. Planning to bring the 28 2.8, 50 1.4, and 80-200 2.8 And the Tamron superzoom.... not sure I'll use it much, but just in case. Probably the flash too, but I always end up not using that at Disney?

Do you use your flash much?

 

[mom2rtk]

I don't ever manual focus either. Horrible, terrible eyesight... I trust the camera more, and if the camera can't do it, oh well.

Bag packed--not yet, in fact I might still pick up some other means of schleping it all around. Planning to bring the 28 2.8, 50 1.4, and 80-200 2.8 And the Tamron superzoom.... not sure I'll use it much, but just in case. Probably the flash too, but I always end up not using that at Disney?

Do you use your flash much?

Looks like a nice collection of lenses. Do you take the 80-200 with you into the parks much?

I actually use the flash a lot at Disney. We do tons of character shots, and I like to use it on almost all of those shots to fill in any shadows on faces. I'm fairly flash stupid though. I mostly just use trial and error, adjusting my flash exposure compensation as needed.

 

[petals]

I am luvin your ride pics. We don't do those rides so it's cool to see the inside of them!

 

[NLD]

I'm pretty flash-stupid too. (Is that a technical term? Love it.)

Haven't used the 80-200 in the parks before, no... Thinking it'll just be for the AK day and that's it.

Looking forward to another update! (Hint, hint... )

 

[mom2rtk]

I am luvin your ride pics. We don't do those rides so it's cool to see the inside of them!

Thanks! Happy to take you along for a ride with us!

I'm pretty flash-stupid too. (Is that a technical term? Love it.)

Don't know if it's a techical term.... or a clinical diagnosis. But it pretty much covers it! Bryan Peterson published a book last year on flash photography. I've been reading that, and it makes sense when I read it, but it will be a while before it translates into real real world use for me..... if ever.

I'll try to get another update done soon. I've been fighting off a bug and am just back up on my feet again today making up for lost time.

 

[Sydnerella]

I so dont follow all the camera jargon but do really enjoy the images, story, gowns and fun you have with WDW trips. Thanks for another fun report and I have to say that those HM photos are really cool - i dont frequent the photo board but capturing the dancing ghosts so well was awesome.

Cant wait to learn if you got family of the day this trip - with the friend?!?!?

Love the new signature photo too - another bit of magic

Sydnerella's Mama

 

[rndmr2]

Awesome HM pics!

 

[MrsFerrell]

following. LOVE Your dresses.. Any pixie sewing dust out there?? hah

 

[Chicago Mo]

I am caught up and thought i would say hi. your pictures are amazing. I can only DREAM of taking pictures like you!!! amazing TR!

 

[NLD]

I'll try to get another update done soon. I've been fighting off a bug and am just back up on my feet again today making up for lost time.

__________________

Oh no! Hope you are starting to feel better... winter bugs are the worst. Don't worry about the TR, just take care of yourself! We'll all be here whenever you are up to it!

 

[katt789]

I read the update a while back but didn't comment, thankfully I'm getting to it now! Haha!
Love it! It sucks that you didn't make it back! Those are the worst, when you're all "Oh, I don't worry about this, I'm sure to be back in the next couple of days..." and then....nothing!

 

[jaybee1026]

Enjoying your TR as always. I actually saw you and your dd this time around. I can't remember what day it was (we were there Dec 3-17) but it was towards the end of the week and it was HOT. You were just coming out of Beauty and the Beast and your daughter was wearing her beautiful Belle dress. If I wasn't wrangling my own 4 kiddos, plus the fact that I'm a total newbie whom you wouldn't know from a hole in the ground, I would've caught up to say hi. You are probably the only Dis'er I would recognize, simply because of your memorable TR's.

 

[mom2rtk]

I so dont follow all the camera jargon but do really enjoy the images, story, gowns and fun you have with WDW trips. Thanks for another fun report and I have to say that those HM photos are really cool - i dont frequent the photo board but capturing the dancing ghosts so well was awesome.

Cant wait to learn if you got family of the day this trip - with the friend?!?!?

Love the new signature photo too - another bit of magic

Sydnerella's Mama

Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the photos. I really love taking them.

You'll have to wait and hear if I decided to go for FOTD again. I don't want to give any hints. What I will say is that we were able to take care of one piece of unfinished business from the last trip....... but that's all I'm sayin!

Awesome HM pics!

Thanks! It was fun to get a couple new shots this time. Some people like to ride new rides each trip. I like to add new shots.

following. LOVE Your dresses.. Any pixie sewing dust out there?? hah

Thank you! Many dresses to come, I promise. I had every bit as much luggage this trip as I had last year..... despite my good intentions!

I am caught up and thought i would say hi. your pictures are amazing. I can only DREAM of taking pictures like you!!! amazing TR!

Hey! I'm glad you found us over here. Thanks for the kind words...... we have a few more photos to go...... so don't wander off!

__________________

Oh no! Hope you are starting to feel better... winter bugs are the worst. Don't worry about the TR, just take care of yourself! We'll all be here whenever you are up to it!

What a sweetie. Thank you! I'm finally starting to feel a little better. It started with a sore throat, and has now moved into my vocal chords. I think my kids are rooting for laryngitis...... right now it's about 50/50 it will get there. Strange too since I'm the only sick one here. Usually it's one of the kids who brings it home.

I read the update a while back but didn't comment, thankfully I'm getting to it now! Haha!
Love it! It sucks that you didn't make it back! Those are the worst, when you're all "Oh, I don't worry about this, I'm sure to be back in the next couple of days..." and then....nothing!

Glad you spoke up!

You know, at the beginning of a 10 day trip, the opportunities seem absolutely endless. It's amazing how that time just slips away. There are several rides I look back at now and can't believe we only rode once. But then again, I sort of lost count on that wash and spin cycle thing! So I guess that made up for it.

Enjoying your TR as always. I actually saw you and your dd this time around. I can't remember what day it was (we were there Dec 3-17) but it was towards the end of the week and it was HOT. You were just coming out of Beauty and the Beast and your daughter was wearing her beautiful Belle dress. If I wasn't wrangling my own 4 kiddos, plus the fact that I'm a total newbie whom you wouldn't know from a hole in the ground, I would've caught up to say hi. You are probably the only Dis'er I would recognize, simply because of your memorable TR's.

Hi! I wish you had said hi at DHS. I got to meet a lot of DIS friends this trip and would have loved to add you to the list. That would have been on Wednesday the 14th. There were a few days that week that it hit at least 80 and for a bit in the afternoon it was too warm for my blood. Not bad compared to last year though!

 

[mom2rtk]

12/9 CONTINUED: Time For Adventure!

Next we headed for Adventureland. Just as with Small World, no trip to Disney would be complete for Drew without doing the Jungle Cruise. Our skipper was easy to understand this time at least, but alas, not that funny.


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After our cruise, Katie did the remote control boats with Drew while I got in line for a Dole Whip. The sun was now out and it was warming up quite a bit, probably into the low 80's. And the ibuprofen I was taking didn't seem to help my sore throat much. That line was slower than molasses. But it was SO worth it. I opted for the Dole Whip float......... and it was the single best thing I had to eat the entire trip! I'd pretty give my right arm for one right now, as I sit here on the verge of losing my voice......

Next we headed for Pirates where once again the line was very short. We kept an eye on the clock. I knew once 3:00 hit, we'd be trapped in Adventureland until after the parade. We managed to stop and see Pirate Goofy and still have time to get across over to Frontierland before the parade.


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I was dying to get this shot right, but ended up with my focus a little off. I tried again later in the trip, but still haven't looked to see if I got it.


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[DISNEYaddict4evr]

I just LOVE your PoC pictures! I so need a new camera ::sigh::

Have I mention Katie is beginning to look exactly like you
How adorable!

 

[Moodyzblu]

Ok .. all I can say is .. WOW .. your pics are amazing !!

Looking forward to more !!