Questions From a Newbie!

[JMUAndy05]

Hello one and all! I'm a new poster, but frequent lurker of these boards. For those of you that are Disney photographers that regularly post on Flickr, I'm already well familiar with your work, and have been doing my best to study up.

I've only been to DW three times in my life, but am excited to say my girlfriend and I will be heading down August 9th - 15th for some fun in the sun! I recently took up photography in March of this year, and fell in love with it. I've gone a bit overboard with early lens purchases, and am doing my best to absorb knowledge as quickly as possible so as to land some great shots by the time the Disney trip came around. I plan on shooting like a mad man while I'm down there, but was wondering if anyone had any pointers, especially when it comes to using a tripod in August at Disney. Am I hosed, or do I have any shot at getting some free space to set up for fireworks shots.

Here's the gear I'll be taking with me:

- Nikon D90
- Tokina 11-16mm
- Nikon 18-200mm VR II
- Nikon 50mm 1.8f
- Nikon 10.5mm fisheye
- Tripod
- ND & UV filters
- 2 16GB SDHC Cards, + 1 8GB SDHC Card
- 2 Batteries + Chargers

This is my first trip anywhere with my camera, and certainly my first time shooting at Disney. A few questions if I may:

- What do people do with their DSLRs on rides like the Kali River Rapids at AK? Do you put it in a locker prior to going on the ride? Do you put everything inside a trashbag and risk taking it on the ride and staying dry? I see that some rides seem more suitable to take a camera on and try to shoot (no flash of course). Any pointers on which rides work best for trying this?

- I plan on trying to shoot from Japan during the Illuminations show, and somewhere down mainstreet behind Partners for Summer Nighttastic. Is it at all possible to find room to set up a tripod during August?

- Any other suggestions and tips for someone on their first shoot at DW?

Very sorry if I'm repeating questions that have been asked a million times. Still learning the boards ettiquete and hope you don't mind me starting a new thread for my questions.

If you're on Flickr, I'd love any input on my work since I'm so new. I also would love to make some new contacts on there as well! I'm located at screen name : ~Champagne Supernova~ (sorry, the boards won't let me post a link since I'm such a newb)

Please drop me a line and say hello! Would love to get in on the Disney photo fun everyone else is having!

 

[spinetnglr]

Good morning and welcome to the DIS JMUAndy. You will definately learn alot hanging around here ... these guys and girls are great when it comes to needing advice and input about gear, techniques, ideas and anything else concerning photography. I've been to WDW probably 8 or 9 times but only twice with a DSLR so I am sure others can give you better advice what you will and wont need. One thing I can say for sure ... if you shoot in RAW and plan to shoot like a mad man you might want to consider picking up some more memory. My last trip with my D300 I had 2-8gb, 4-4gb and 3-2gb and by day 3 of 6 I was filling dvd's with pics so I could format and reuse cards. I was glad I took the laptop and empty dvd's with me. If you shoot jpeg you might be ok with what you have.

 

[JMUAndy05]

Much appreciated! In the back of my mind I was wondering just how much memory would be enough. I shoot RAW, so I'll plan on loading up on some more.

 

[SrisonS]

Welcome to the Boards!!!! Feel free to ask away about anything around here. We don't mind helping out. Before you know it, you'll be dishing out tips too.

It seems like you're pretty much set with your gear. Do you have a shutter release for tripod use though???? That would help out. Also, think about investing in a comfortable neck strap. The last you wanna worry about is the stock one being a pain in that heat. Are you taking a laptop to download your picture to everynight??? If not, I'd also suggest to get a couple more memory cards.

On Kali, how about getting a huge ziploc bag. Plus, they have the thing in the middle to help keep your stuff dry.

There aren't way too many tips for how to shoot Disney. You might already know to use your 1.8 for dark rides, and the 18-200 for animal kingdom. Other than that, just shoot away with whatever you want!!!!

 

[SrisonS]

One more thing.... Check out the blog:

Wdwphotography.com

For some Disney shooting tips. It's ran by some Disboard/Flickrites.

 

[atsolomon]

Kali River Rapids might overwhelm a rainsleeve, but having one on hand is a good idea in case of rain.

http://www.adorama.com/OTRSL.html

I used one on a splash/raft ride at Storyland in NH and got some very nice photos -- and my camera was dry after the experience.

There's also full bore waterproof bags for cameras like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Underwater-Ca...TF8&coliid=I1DUFLSVFJ8PNE&colid=1D46GJQQTOU2D That's on my wish list -- I've never actually used it. ;-)

I'd defer to the more experienced Disney photographers, but it looks to me like you're loaded for bear.

Have a great time!

Regards,

Adam

 

[pgowder]

Kali River Rapids might overwhelm a rainsleeve, but having one on hand is a good idea in case of rain.

http://www.adorama.com/OTRSL.html

I used one on a splash/raft ride at Storyland in NH and got some very nice photos -- and my camera was dry after the experience.

There's also full bore waterproof bags for cameras like this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Underwater-Ca...TF8&coliid=I1DUFLSVFJ8PNE&colid=1D46GJQQTOU2D That's on my wish list -- I've never actually used it. ;-)

I'd defer to the more experienced Disney photographers, but it looks to me like you're loaded for bear.

Have a great time!

Regards,

Adam

For more info on water photography at WDW read this article.

http://www.wdwphotography.com/photos/dont-let-the-water-hold-you-back/

 

[atsolomon]

Paul,

Thanks for following up with the link to your excellent article. I read it the other day (which is where I found the bag), but I couldn't recall where I read it so I could cite you.

Regards,

Adam

 

[pgowder]

Paul,

Thanks for following up with the link to your excellent article. I read it the other day (which is where I found the bag), but I couldn't recall where I read it so I could cite you.

Regards,

Adam

Glad to hear you read it! Thanks!!

 

[pjacobi]

Great photographs take time and effort!

If you are in the park with a family with small kids, you will not have much time for photography! Take a quality P/S camera that fits in your pocket, take a few snapshots when possible, use the PhotoPass photographers and go enjoy the park with your familiy!

There may be times during your trip where you can head over to the park alone or in a small group with intent of spending time on photography. That's when it is worth bring all your equipment.

Don't carry around a ton of equipment if you don't have time or effort to use it.


-Paul

 

[pgowder]

Great photographs take time and effort!

If you are in the park with a family with small kids, you will not have much time for photography! Take a quality P/S camera that fits in your pocket, take a few snapshots when possible, use the PhotoPass photographers and go enjoy the park with your familiy!

There may be times during your trip where you can head over to the park alone or in a small group with intent of spending time on photography. That's when it is worth bring all your equipment.

Don't carry around a ton of equipment if you don't have time or effort to use it.


-Paul

That's why Walt included lockers! Store it for when you need it.

I disagree with not carrying your DSLR with you all the time though. I use an RStrap and have my DSLR at my waist at all times. It's great for the vacation snapshots. And then other times when a great shot does arise, you have it ready.

For example, if you are sitting waiting for a parade that's a great time to do some shots of the buildings on Main Street. And I would personally not want to have JUST my P&S for the parades.

I do agree that you need to be mindful that you are on vacation, but you can reach a healthy balance.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I agree with Paul. Carry your DSLR for the vacation snapshots. You never know when the great photo-op is going to occur. As Paul, I have the R-strap and its no problem carrying it. I do plan time for photography into my WDW trips. The family is well aware of this and is supportive (it helps that the DW also shoots). Most of the time I wander off when the rest of the family is having down time back at the resort, expecially at night. I don't think I miss anything about the vacation by photographing it. And when I get home and start processing the images, I relive the entire vacation!! Take it along, shoot and enjoy the vacation!!

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Take the camera with you. Get a nice backpack (I'll be getting a lowepro for my next trip) and bring you're stuff with you. You'll find some great shots and like the others have mentioned - you can throw it in a locker if you need to.

 

[Docarino]

Another vote for getting a locker. I'm a penny pincher and debated whether to spend the extra money- worth every penny! I would go into withdrawal without my DSLR and it certainly sounds like you love photography so I say, go for it.

Post pictures once you get back!

 

[AlbertZeroK]

I took a D90 with me last year during late June and took pictures with a tripod, no issue with fireworks, just set up your tripod early and leave the tripod setup to mark your place.

The D90 has some cool shooting capablities. You can set it up so you press the shutter release, it waits on the timer, then can shoot up to 9 photos. I love this mode, you just press a button once and then the camera will stop shaking and shoot 9 shots.

I took a back pack with me with a tripod carrier built in. I just went out to the van half way through the day and picked up my camera. We took a point and shoot with us the rest of the time. I'll do the same this next visit, except I have a Sony Nex 3 now, so it'll be better than a point and shoot this time!

 

[JMUAndy05]

Thanks to everyone for the pointers! The gf and I had a wonderful trip, and managed to survive going commando Disney for 6 days straight, although I fear I'll now be limping for a month.

We really got a lot in, and have thousands of pictures to dig through. Looking forward to having some to share soon!

Tried all week to get to the Summer Nightastic show, but we were late arriving and couldn't get a spot Monday, got stuck in a downpour and bailed Friday, but FINALLY saw it on it's last night Saturday. We loved it! I set up in front of a trash can hours in advance to mark a good spot, planned well etc... then in the middle of the show, some Disney guide leads an entire group right through the crowd directly in the path of my tripod, and I had to move everything. I lost some really great photo opportunties, but hope a few good ones still came out.

Shot just about everything the whole trip bracketed and will start to play around with some HDRs when appropriate. Was amazed how much I used my Nikon 10.5mm fisheye. I REALLY had a lot of fun using it at several of the parks (especially Epcot).

 

[JMUAndy05]

Oops! Double post!