Trip goals

[GrumpyOne]

What are your photography goals when you go to WDW?

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Last time I was there, I really wanted to get a shot of the Yeti in EE. I got a ton of the B&W silhouette Yeti but just could not get a good shot of the one in the tunnel despite multiple attempts. The next trip will see me trying again, hopefully a bit better prepared.

I'd also like to get better pictures inside PotC and Splash. I'd really like to get a very wide-angle shot of the guy being dunked. My parents had an old DL souvenir book which had a picture I'd like to replicate. Well, as close as I can since as I recall, you're not supposed to use a flash in there. Last time I was there, I could tell I wouldn't be able to get the picture, it's obvious where the photographer stood to get it and being in the boat with a crop sensor wasn't going to help me get the shot.

Fantasmic for sure! While I love the show, I have bad photographic luck with Fantasmic. Next trip, I think I'll schedule it early so I can potentially go back a second time based on what I learned.

 

[GrumpyOne]

No one has any goals?

 

[annnewjerz]

What are your photography goals when you go to WDW?

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Last time I was there, I really wanted to get a shot of the Yeti in EE. I got a ton of the B&W silhouette Yeti but just could not get a good shot of the one in the tunnel despite multiple attempts. The next trip will see me trying again, hopefully a bit better prepared.

I'd also like to get better pictures inside PotC and Splash. I'd really like to get a very wide-angle shot of the guy being dunked. My parents had an old DL souvenir book which had a picture I'd like to replicate. Well, as close as I can since as I recall, you're not supposed to use a flash in there. Last time I was there, I could tell I wouldn't be able to get the picture, it's obvious where the photographer stood to get it and being in the boat with a crop sensor wasn't going to help me get the shot.

Fantasmic for sure! While I love the show, I have bad photographic luck with Fantasmic. Next trip, I think I'll schedule it early so I can potentially go back a second time based on what I learned.

I have got PLENTY of goals for our trip in December. This will be my first trip with a dSLR and I'm looking forward to it. These goals include but are definitely not limited to:

1. Get some good shots on low-light rides such as PotC, HM, etc.
2. Get some decent shots of fireworks (I've never taken fireworks shots before)
3. Get some shots to use for the photo contests. In the past, I have only gone with a P&S and didn't take any time to really focus on composition or anything, so I'm looking forward to that.
4. Get some use-able shots on Kilimanjaro Safaris. There was one day last trip that I forgot my camera in the hotel room. We got to AK for rope drop and realized I forgot it and had to buy a disposable. Needless to say, I have a shot of the entrance sign to AK, some of the que waiting for the ride and that's about it.

 

[jann1033]

next trip as yet unspecified i would like to concentrate on some details esp world showcase ie the Canadian gardens(took a few last time but not many), Morocco "streets" might make some nice shots etc, horticulture in general, maybe some different type shots of the resorts, pretty much all of AK. it would be my first dslr trip , last trip my slr was in the middle of dying so i really haven't taken many photos from wdw for a long time and before the last trip the kids and/or friends were along so not much time for photos then.

 

[Groucho]

A decent shot of the Yeti will be tricky to say the least! I'm not sure if I've ever seen a good one taken without a flash. On one of the rides last trip, they were strobing the lights on him as you went back, which I don't think they usually do, and which would make getting the shot every harder, unless you catch one of the lights. You need an extremely fast shutter speed (since you're moving so fast) and you need some luck with focusing, especially if the lights are being strobed. Needless to say, you also need an extremely fast lens and very high ISO capabilities because of the shutter speed requirements.

FWIW, I tried a shot of him last trip at ISO 6400, F1/8, and 1/30th, and the frame is pure inky blackness.

I had some goals for my last trip but some fell by the wayside due to all the illness. I never got a chance to ride Safaris at all, we never did one of the animal walking sections at AK, I never got a good chance to photo Spectro, I did no Wishes photos (though I'm pretty satisfied with what I've done in the past so I'm OK with that), and even with two attempts, I wasn't as happy with my Illuminations shots as I have been in the past. (But I haven't gone through them yet, maybe there's a few more keepers than I think based on quick glances.) Some other goals involve equipment that I don't have yet (like an 85mm F1.4), and some others were non-specific so I sort of fulfilled them. I had planned to do a lot of "reflections" shots and got a few but not too many. I didn't do quite as many fisheyes as maybe I should have. I did do a lot of "unusual angle" shots so I'm pretty happy with that.

One thing I found was that I was happy enough with some previous shots that I skipped shooting many things this past trip. Maybe one of these days I'll be able to go and barely take any photos at all. Hmm, yeah right.

 

[boBQuincy]

On the next trip I plan to concentrate on HDR images of Magic Kingdom taken from the Contemporary resort. I also want to get some HDR images of Cinderella's castle at dusk. Other than that, maybe some blurred motion images of the monorail.

 

[annnewjerz]

On the next trip I plan to concentrate on HDR images of Magic Kingdom taken from the Contemporary resort. I also want to get some HDR images of Cinderella's castle at dusk. Other than that, maybe some blurred motion images of the monorail.

If by the "next trip" you mean your trip to BWV in December, since we'll be there same time and same place---I may have to put my Jedi skills to use and super secretly follow you fo these. I got a book on HDR that I'm currently reading but haven't even tried to do one yet! I'm hoping I am able to grasp the concept well enough come December to try some out. We have a riverboat that's parked in the river of our town through winter and since I've seen HDRs of the riverboat in MK, figured it might be a good place to start.

 

[boBQuincy]

If by the "next trip" you mean your trip to BWV in December, since we'll be there same time and same place---...snip

December? Can't wait that long. I'm thinking more like, oh... Monday!

 

[annnewjerz]

December? Can't wait that long. I'm thinking more like, oh... Monday!

Well well well, in that case----be sure to share some of those shots when you get back. I'll use them as examples to help aid my understanding of the whole HDR process. I forgot you transplanted from NJ to NC. Smart man. I should try to convice DH to move also. I can use the excuse of lower property taxes and cost of living as a cover for "closer to WDW!" You lucky duck.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

My goals:

1) A collection of shots representing a small child's view WDW. These would be taken from a low perspective, relatively wide angle, and with subject matter that would catch a child's attention.

2) More nighttime shots. I need some better wishes and illuminations shots. I need some decent Spectro shots. I'd like more night shots of stuff around the park. We usually go home around dusk (the kids get tired), so I don't spend much time in the parks after dark. This year, we'll be staying on property, so I might make some evening forays even if the kids want to stay home.

3) More daytime motion blur shots. I played with the idea a little on my last trip, but I'd like to expand on the concept.

4) More signs. I have a relatively large collection already, but scrapbookers seem to have an insatiable appetite for them. They are usually quick and easy to get. I may even make it a bit of a game, trying to get at least one sign shot for every attraction and restaurant.

5) Some long exposure Spectro shots. I've not seen any yet. Maybe they'll look horrible, so no one posts theirs. I think they might look cool.

That gets me thinking, I'd like a camera with the ability to do a mixed ISO image. Have the ISO set to one level for the first time period and then quickly increase to another for the ending. It would be a way to simulate something vaguely like second curtain flash sync without the flash.

6) More cast shots. I don't have many. It's not a burning desire, but I'd like to have a few more.

7) I'd like a panoramic shot of Fantasmic with the complete audience. I was hoping that Groucho would get this with his fisheye so I could get a sense for how it looks and so I wouldn't feel compelled.

8) Some good Fort Wilderness shots. We'll be camping there. It doesn't appear to be a popular place for photographers as I haven't really seen any good shots from there yet.

9) Waterpark shots. We haven't been to the waterparks in years. I'd like to get some decent shots there. I'm not sure what equipment I'll bring.

10) Video. My latest DSLR shoots video. I feel obligated to use it. I'm not really sure what for though. Maybe a few video ride-throughs on Thunder Mountain or the big drop on Splash Mountain? I'm open to suggestions. Honestly, video of WDW doesn't excite me that much.

11) Audio. OK, now I'm straying really far off topic. I bought a field sound recorder last year. I'm toying with the idea of bringing it to record good sound from some of the shows and attractions and to record conversations with the kids. It might be fun to mix in some audio clips in my next slideshow. Then again, it's one more thing to carry, keep track of, feed, etc.

 

[Groucho]

7) I'd like a panoramic shot of Fantasmic with the complete audience. I was hoping that Groucho would get this with his fisheye so I could get a sense for how it looks and so I wouldn't feel compelled.

I've done a couple, neither of which I'm super pleased with. I think to do it right, you might need to get down at the front of the seating area and shoot towards the rear, which is kind of a tricky move to pull off. Or, get higher off the ground, which is also tricky (especially if trying to not put yourself in the shot!) That would actually probably work best but would not be obtainable without either climing one of the light structures or dangling the camera on the end of a monopod held out at max height above you, both of which might get you thrown out!

From April '08:

From January '09:

Not panoramic, but this was a shot that I had hoped to get (and did, obviously.) Another crowd shot later in the show with just the light-up gizmos they sell shining might be good though I suspect it would be just a sea of black with tiny blurs. That shot'll require an actual seat for the show, which I did not have this trip, and a tripod or monopod would be nice, too.

5) Some long exposure Spectro shots. I've not seen any yet. Maybe they'll look horrible, so no one posts theirs. I think they might look cool.

I haven't posted all my shots from my last trip yet.

 

[Gdad]

On one of the rides last trip, they were strobing the lights on him as you went back, which I don't think they usually do, and which would make getting the shot every harder, unless you catch one of the lights. You need an extremely fast shutter speed (since you're moving so fast) and you need some luck with focusing, especially if the lights are being strobed.

Off Topic but I found the new strobes in there to be quite annoying. I guess I need a whole new strategy to get a picture of the yeti.

 

[WVDisGeek]

Since my shooting outings were cut short on our December trip due to my blown out knee, I would have to say the goals for our next trip (as yet unplanned) would have to start with some of the ones I didn't get to this past trip (also my first with DSLR).

1.) Some fireworks shots from both Spectro and Illuminations.
2.) More nighttime shots at all of the parks.
3.) Rideshots from HM and POTC (New 50mm/1.4 will be in the bag next trip!)
4.) More water shots. (Trip from POR to DtD, Water Taxis, etc.)
5.) Tripod shots (missed last trip...stupid knee!)
6.) More reaction shots of my DW. She is the happiest when we are in "the World". Makes the outlay of huge $$$ seem slightly more reasonable!
7.) More photography themed shots (got one of the photo booth in the carney area at AK).

I am sure I will come up with more by the time we get back. May be doing a cruise this year, which of course would lead to a whole other list.....

 

[Todd_H]

We're headed back in September and this will be the first time we've been back as a family since I began shooting last year (I've been there a few times on business sans family over the past couple of years). My goals are:

1) to get some shots of the kids enjoying WDW, especially on rides like BTM where my DD7 has the perma-grin on her face the entire time.
2) I'm always challenged to get good shots in the HM
3) The HM is challenging enough, but I also think Peter Pan's Flight is extremely challenging because it moves so fast. I'd like to get some decent shots in there as well.
4) Get some good night shots in the parks (especially in AK if it's open late enough in September for it to be dark). I plan to pull a Groucho this year and head back to the parks with my tripod once the family is tucked in for the night (you're an inspiration, Groucho! ). I might even buy (or rent) a fisheye!
5) Get some good detail shots and maybe hunt for some Hidden Mickeys. We always seem to forget to look for them
6) most importantly, not to let photographing everything in sight interfere with the family's vacation at the World! (my wife will be sure to let me know)

 

[iluvdisnee]

I want to work on my perspective this trip! Last trip I got some pretty amazing shots at a standard "everyone's got em" perspective, I want to think outside the box this trip (coming up in a week).

I also want to continue to get more low light shots of the attractions!

I got spectacular fireworks shots last trip, so this trip I'll probably just relax and enjoy the show!

 

[Groucho]

Off Topic but I found the new strobes in there to be quite annoying. I guess I need a whole new strategy to get a picture of the yeti.

I had forgotten that they do that because the yeti isn't "lunging" any more. Last time we were in April, it was just a couple days after their 10 anniversary, and if we are to believe Jim Hall, they got EE all fixed up for Joe Rhode who was there for the event, with the fog rolling over the top of the mountains, the yeti lunging, etc... and shortly afterwards, went back to turning off some of the effects which are less than reliable.

4) Get some good night shots in the parks (especially in AK if it's open late enough in September for it to be dark). I plan to pull a Groucho this year and head back to the parks with my tripod once the family is tucked in for the night (you're an inspiration, Groucho! ). I might even buy (or rent) a fisheye!

Heheh! Thanks, I'm flattered. Love those fisheyes! (Though I have very, very few night fisheye shots that I'm really happy with... I guess that's another area to work on!)