Tom Bricker and the Two Scotts (Smith and Sanders)

[HPS3]

Let me start by saying that you guys have some amazing photos. I always find myself looking over your Flickr accounts. I notice that so many of your photos have beautiful skies and are so well balanced (highlights/shadows). How do you all do it? Do you shoot in morning and evening only or what? I have been shooting for a little over a year and still find myself fighting blown out skies or underexposed foregrounds. With landscapes do you expose for the sky? How do you balance both? I always get mad at myself for not being able to balance both and blowing the sky. It seems like I am always shooting in the middle of the day, especially at WDW.

 

[WDWFigment]

I rarely do much shooting between the hours of noon and 5 pm. That's a big part of it.

I always shoot at -.7 (at least), as it's easier to bring out the shadows than recover the highlights.

Additionally, in Adobe Camera Raw, I usually increase the fill light a healthy amount, which balances out the shot.

 

[HPS3]

I always think I am doing something wrong. I hate shooting in the middle of the day because of the sun. Thankyou for letting me know your secret. I love your new IR photos, are those shot with a converted DSLR?

 

[ssanders79]

Thanks. Since most if not all my trips are day trips to WDW I am limited to shooting during the day under the harsh Florida sun. I tend to shoot a lot of HDRs to help combat the typical issues that cause havoc at high noon. Then, like Tom mentioned, Camera Raw is a life saver.

A closing the park Bricker-like shoot is on my list of things to do, but that does not work out well with a 4yr old and an hour drive home.

 

[SrisonS]

Thanks a lot!!!! Like the others have stated, software can really help to save some shots. I use Lightroom myself; but whatever you're comfortable should do fine. I also usually shoot at -1/3, just to help a little from getting some blown out areas.

But in dire situations, I would definitely try to expose for the sky.

 

[HPS3]

Thanks for the replies. I was wondering how you guys did it. When I look through your Flickr accounts, I am always blown away by your creativity and such great exposures. I am trying to learn to see as a photographer, but it's harder than I thought. You guys make it look effortless.

 

[SrisonS]

Thanks for the replies. I was wondering how you guys did it. When I look through your Flickr accounts, I am always blown away by your creativity and such great exposures. I am trying to learn to see as a photographer, but it's harder than I thought. You guys make it look effortless.

It definitely takes some time and practice to get your skills to where you're at least somewhat happy with what you turn out. But you'll still keep pushing yourself. And you'll also have a lot more misses than hits. But the trick is to not show those misses.

 

[ssanders79]

And you'll also have a lot more misses than hits. But the trick is to not show those misses.

Well said.

 

[HPS3]

I was going to ask if you found only a portion of photos to be keepers. I always wondered how Tom took all of those night shots without guests. I just read his stay late plan on flickr. I plan on going back to WDW in May and have really been looking over your photos to get some ideas. I am ready to do some WDW photography again.

 

[ssanders79]

When I first got my DSLR I filled memory cards up, but had a small percentage of keepers. I now call this my learning phase. I try to shoot less and keep more by taking the time to set up each shot.

Maybe in May we can set up a late night photo walk.

 

[HPS3]

That sounds great Scott. My oldest gets out of K in May and so we will be there the 22-31. I would love to have a chance to meet up with you if is possible. I really admire your photos and would love to learn from you.

 

[ssanders79]

Send me a PM closer to your trip. I cannot promise that I will have time, but I will see what I can do.

 

[HPS3]

Sounds great!