Using Tripod in the Parks - Advice

[p17blo]

I am travelling next week to The World. I will be taking my dSLR and my pretty hefty tripod.

So the feedback I have received already is that Tripods are OK in the parks, but what about inside the buildings? There are some great shots to be had inside and I would usually hand hold the camera and pump up the ISO and use fast glass, but this trip I am going to capture natural ambient light as best I can and a tripod mounted picture would be far better.

Has anyone ever done this? Are the CMs OK with you setting up a tripod inside? Does anyone have any tips? I do have my Gorilla Pod also and will use that whenever possible but something there just isn't anything to rest on.

And as for setting up outside are there any no no's? I guess I should setup near to walls or rails when possible but what about, for example, slap bang in the middle of main street? Acceptable or not?

Lastly, when you are lugging all of your kit around do you go speak to 'local' CMs about what you are doing or do you just do it? I've done a few photo shoots out in public places and almost always get inquisitive people ask me what I am up to.

TIA

 

[wbeem]

Generally, it's no problem inside or outside as long as you aren't blocking a pathway. I've found most CMs to be very accommodating if you want to take photos. Some of them have been curious and asked questions, others have paid no attention at all.

Only one time in a Disney Park was I ever approached by someone who claimed to be a manager and expressed concern because I had a "big camera."

Downtown Disney is different, though. Security folks there have hassled more than a few folks with tripods.

 

[pgowder]

He's right, just use good judgement and you should be ok. Don't block walkways, avoided crowded areas/times, don't cause problems, etc.

I've found most CMs would rather stop and talk about photography or what I'm doing than trying to stop me.

 

[Happy Mom2]

DH has hauled his tripod all over Disney. Only once was he stopped...he was outside taking pictures of the large icons at the POP (where we were staying) and the security guard asked him a bunch of questions and asked to see his room card. He finally left DH alone.

Several guests stopped to talk to him about his camera, and some thought he was a photopass guy.

DH is looking forward to taking more pictures on our next trip, and he's bought a new tripod.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

some thought he was a photopass guy.

Too funny... I was just going to say the same thing. I wasn't hassled at all by cast members for setting up my tripod on this most recent trip. But I can't tell you how many guests tried to hand me a photopass card to take a picture of them.

Granted, I do wear a Disney Indiana Jones-type hat when I'm in the parks, so I guess I was asking for it. (Mine is green, though. Not white.) I also tend to set up my tripod and stand in a spot for a long time, hoping to catch a lull in the crowd when I can snap a shot without other guests in it.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

I'll throw in one more thing.

Security might have an issue if you are taking pictures of your hotel room at 1:30am from outside the hotel to show just where your room is. I'm sure under normal circumstances it may seem like a no-brainer right? It's crazy though how way too much rum will throw common sense out the window.
I wish I had someone take a picture of our 3 faces when we realized we looked like perverts


P.S. It doesn't matter what you wear, someone will ask you to do a photopass picture. Black hat turned backwards, jeans, Phillies jersey and white sneakers and still people hand me their photopass card!

 

[2Tiggies]

P.S. It doesn't matter what you wear, someone will ask you to do a photopass picture. Black hat turned backwards, jeans, Phillies jersey and white sneakers and still people hand me their photopass card!

Don't see myself having that problem. For a start, I will be the one taking forever to figure out my camera settings

 

[pointandshoot]

Be more worried about guests bumping into your gear than a security guard. Seems like how much I buffer space between guests and my tripod using bushes, garbage cans, statues, etc. someone finds a opening of daylight and slides a foot under a tripod leg. Usually a polite smile will work to resolve the issue.