So I'm going to sound like a dork...

[mlktwins]

but I'm gonna ask anyway ! I have a Nikon D90 with the kit lens (18-105) and a Nikon 50 mm. I mostlly take pics of my kids at the moment. Anyway, I am heading to DW in 3 days and I'm not handy enough with the camera to be out of Auto or Program mode yet. I don't think on the trip is the time to learn -- especially with two 6 year old little boys on the loose.

So...for my dorky question. For taking photos of the nightime parades, in either A or P mode, is my best best for any type of decent picture with the kit lens or 50 mm? Also, where do you recommend we line up for the electric light parade and the christmas parade at the MVMCP? I have heard Frontrier Land might be less crowded, but also has less light. I've also heard Liberty Square, the train depot, the hub and main street. What are your go to places?

I love looking at all of your wonderful pictures! I can only hope to be as good some day.

 

[photo_chick]

In auto or program mode I'd go with the 50mm for low light shots.

 

[handicap18]

For the night parade..... use the 50mm f/1.8. What I've done is use Aperture Priority, sent my f/stop to 1.8 and my ISO to 1600. Then keep a close eye on what your shutter speeds are. If they are at 1/60 then your good. Anything faster than that and you can up the f/stop if you'd like. Anything lower than 1/60th and you start getting motion blur, you might be able to get away with 1/40 on the slow moving floats.

Your kit lens will not have a wide enough aperture (aka f/stop) to get a fast enough shutter speed. You don't want to use the flash because that will wash out all the colorful lights.

 

[wbeem]

but I'm gonna ask anyway ! I have a Nikon D90 with the kit lens (18-105) and a Nikon 50 mm. I mostlly take pics of my kids at the moment. Anyway, I am heading to DW in 3 days and I'm not handy enough with the camera to be out of Auto or Program mode yet. I don't think on the trip is the time to learn -- especially with two 6 year old little boys on the loose.

So...for my dorky question. For taking photos of the nightime parades, in either A or P mode, is my best best for any type of decent picture with the kit lens or 50 mm? Also, where do you recommend we line up for the electric light parade and the christmas parade at the MVMCP? I have heard Frontrier Land might be less crowded, but also has less light. I've also heard Liberty Square, the train depot, the hub and main street. What are your go to places?

I love looking at all of your wonderful pictures! I can only hope to be as good some day.

If you're going for an auto mode, go with Aperture Priority and open up as wide as your lens will allow. Bump up the ISO, too. Also, go with Spot Metering instead of Matrix. You want to expose for your subject, not the entire scene. If you're unsure, give both of them a try early on and look at the results.

For position, I tend to like being at the corner of the wooden bridge in Liberty Square. That's because you can get shots of the parade without any other visitors in them. Just be wary of the scent of turkey drumsticks being sold right behind you,

A couple of examples:


Pete's Dragon by wbeem, on Flickr


Belle of the Ball by wbeem, on Flickr

If you want to hang out there for the fireworks, here's what you'll see from the same spot.


When Pirates Attack by wbeem, on Flickr

 

[NLD]

Wbeem, your Belle of the Ball shot is lovely.

I looked at your exif and it says no flash. Did you get that lighting on her simply from the ambient lights nearby?

My MSEP photos from last year were frustrating because the people were all so dimly lit, but I didn't want to use flash and mess up the parade's lights. I was shooting from Frontierland, across from the Liberty Bell boat (is that what's called?), where it was very dark.

Looks like your shooting spot may be the way to go if you were able to get that lighting on the people from just the ambient lights.

Thanks for any info!

 

[mlktwins]

Beautiful pictures!!!!!

I practiced with the neighbors Christmas lights last night and will definitely use the 50 mm over the 18-105.

Wbeem, I understand that the electrical light parade and the 3 pm parade come from one direction (starts at the firehouse). The MVMCP parade starts at Splash Mountain so in the opposite direction from your pictures here. Would your spot work as well for the MVMCP parade?

Thanks so much!

 

[handicap18]

For me.... I like right in front of the Diamond Horseshoe in Frontierland for the MVMCP. There is some extra light over there so you can get good some shutter speeds and also you can stand on the steps and be above the crowd....

Here are a few from 2007 taken with my older Nikon D50 and the 50mm f/1.8....

 

[PhillyMc]

I agree with the 50mm, with my d90 I can go all the way up to 3200 iso w/ very little issues. I've gotten to the point I love to keep the shutter speed fast and adjust A. I find I get better pics w/ the lens shield what does everyone else think?