WDW Cheat Sheet

[Experiment_626]

The other thing I would recommend is viewing you tube videos of the wishes show so you can see what I mean about the big white fireworks versus the colored ones.

That's a good idea — watching it several times could help with timing shots as well. The show is very consistent in that regard; everything is on a strict schedule.

fireworks 2 ~ 2 29 12 by Marlton Mom, on Flickr

Very nice! The long exposures give interesting patterns of light that are hard to predict from seeing the show live. I especially like those bursts which, in the final image, yield those fan-shaped patterns.

SSB

 

[mouselovenfamily]

Yes, right near the water, up against the rail... they were taken near the Mexico pavilion, near the CS restaurant (with the restaurant on our left as we were facing the lagoon). We had to stake out the spot well in advance, even in September, because it's a completely unobstructed view.

If I ever shoot Illuminations again I think I'd rather actually have something in the foreground, for interest. Maybe shooting from Japan. Or maybe even just shooting from the back of the crowd and getting people in the shot.

I saw another photographer set up in Japan, it looked like back maybe o the steps or the hill. It was a nice shot. Maybe that my be an idea!!

When shooting the FW in MK on Feb 29th (One More Disney Day) it was insanely crowded. I set up my tripod 90 mins before the FW. As it was getting darker out I was having a problem with people not seeing my black tripod legs. I was fortunate to have one of those vendors selling the light up necklaces right near me. I put a flashing necklace right over the top of the open tripod and let it slide down until it could go no further. People definitely saw my open tripod then.

On a previous trip I bought Glow Sticks and I taped them to the tripod legs. The flashing necklace definitely did a better job of increasing tripod visibility at night.

All this is just something to consider. Good luck with your photography plans and have a great trip.

~Marlton Mom

PS. These were taken on the on the Casey's side, sidewalk, right at the corner where the hub circle starts. I set up right behind the dip for the curb cut to get an inch or two of extra height and my tripod was cranked up to it's maximum 65 inches. I used bulb mode with a Vari ND filter. In the top exposure I kept the shutter open for 37 seconds and the bottom one was about the same. You have to watch out for those white fireworks as they will obliterate the color of anything previously exposed during a long exposure. Disney sure does like to use them a lot so I did not get to keep my shutter open for a longer time and try and get more colors. Hopefully when you go to shoot the fireworks it will not be as crowded and you can get a good foreground subject in your composition. The rumor was that there would be perimeter fireworks for One More Disney Day (there were not!) so I set up on the wide side. The other thing I would recommend is viewing you tube videos of the wishes show so you can see what I mean about the big white fireworks versus the colored ones.


fireworks 1 ~2 29 12 by Marlton Mom, on Flickr


fireworks 2 ~ 2 29 12 by Marlton Mom, on Flickr

Beautiful! Love the Youtube idea...being forced to memorize Wishes....torture!!!! It will be spring break so I'm expecting it to be crazy crowded. I hope I can get something good!

 

[mouselovenfamily]

Thank you to everyone who helped with the cheat sheet! I guess I'm learning my camera better because I was much faster at ease this trip with my shooting. I was able to remember the settings and get ready for the shots with a little more confidence.

I've not got through many photos yet but feel free to peek at my TR to see some photos!

I did realize, my 50mm will have to go someday and that 30 or 35mm will be replacing it. I didn't have it on my last trip and using it on rides made me realize how tight it is to get some shots. Another reason to go back!!!

Thanks again all!!