I love this shot from behind the castle. You see so many from in front, but I think the carousel adds another "taste" of WDW/MK into the shot. I suspect there is more room to set up back there, as well?
Also, Philharmagic (or as my 6 year olds' hilariously called it, "Fill up on magic") is my 2nd favorite attraction (no beating splash!), so getting that in the shot is great, as well.
Here are a few of my first attempt at fireworks pics during last week's Wishes show at Magic Kingdom. Photos were shot on a Nikon D80 from the front of the circle road right in front of the castle. Camera is on a Joby Gorillapod SLR tripod sitting atop a trash bin.
Ok, i know there are no fireworks in the last one but it was just prior to the fireworks and I loved how it totally transformed the castle.
Yes, turn off Image Stabilization (Vibration Reduction, for Nikon). Those systems are always trying to compensate for shake. Tripod shots would appear somewhat softer with the stabilization on.
The other answer is, it depends. Newer Image Stabilization systems will detect that it is on a tripod, and stop stabilizing. Most of the time you won't know when it has turned itself off. Or, most people won't know if their stabilized lens has that feature. So, the safest thing to do it to always turn it off.
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