What not to shoot

photo_chick

Knows a little about a lot of things, a lot about
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There are a lot of threads about what to shoot and how to shoot it at WDW. What about one that points out what not to do? Becuse really, knowing some things to avoid can actually be pretty helpful.

Like don't give your husband angel wings.
 
Never, never, ever photograph your spouse first thing in the morning. If you're allowed to survive, you will live to regret it!:scared1:
 
Someone tasting Beverly soft drink for the first time (although that might be a fun photo :goodvibes )
 

photo_chick - THANK you for the idea! :thumbsup2 If you don't mind, I'm going to steal this thread title and cogitate over the weekend for a potential post in keeping with my NOT not PTR thread. :rotfl2:

princess::upsidedow
 
Someone tasting Beverly soft drink for the first time (although that might be a fun photo :goodvibes )

Well I must be crazy then, because I've tried to capture this (because it's so funny). I really wish I had gotten my mom's reaction the first time she tried it. Even the CM nearby was very amused. :rotfl:
 
I'd like to offer a suggestion on a technique not to use when shooting. If your wife is pushing a stroller when you're taking pictures, try not to aim your camera in the direction you are heading but rather off to the sides. Otherwise you'll have hundreds of unintentional pictures of her backside. Trust me, she will not see the architecture you were trying to capture. You may not ever notice, but she will not ever forget it.
 
I'd like to offer a suggestion on a technique not to use when shooting. If your wife is pushing a stroller when you're taking pictures, try not to aim your camera in the direction you are heading but rather off to the sides. Otherwise you'll have hundreds of unintentional pictures of her backside. Trust me, she will not see the architecture you were trying to capture. You may not ever notice, but she will not ever forget it.
To this, I'd like to add the same suggestion for those who try to capture video. There is nothing worse than having to explain how taking/watching video of ones surroundings is easier if the videographer remains stationary, and the fact that the rest of the group continues to advance out of frame wasn't intentionally added to the scrip in a secret re-write.
 
Don't take photos of people eating... You can't take attractive photos of people masticating their food or shoveling it in their mouths.
 
Don't take photos of people eating... You can't take attractive photos of people masticating their food or shoveling it in their mouths.

Good one... But I think there should be one caveat here. Kids eating Micky Bars with chocolate all over their faces. It looks stupid on grown ups, but on a 7 year old it's priceless.
 
I don't know about what not to shoot (because I think almost everything is fair game). I do know a few things about how not to handle a camera.


  • Don't let your kids play with your camera at lunch without wearing the strap. Mine pushed mine off the table with a lens and a flash attached. The camera and flash were fine but the lens lost the ability to focus on the long end until it had an almost $200 repair.
  • Don't use those Xcelerator hand cleaners in the bathroom to blow dust off of your sensor. Actually, give it a try and tell me how it works out. I'm curious.
  • If you are using a big camera or lens and carrying with a shoulder strap, keep the camera under control while walking through crowds. A very high proportion of Disney patrons walk or stroll with their heads about the level of your camera. I'm always afraid of clonking one of them.
  • Don't plan to get any shots for a couple of minutes after you leave your car or hotel room. Well, you might be able to get some really foggy looking shots. I think the wait varies based on the size of your glass. The front element of a 70-200mm lens takes a while to warm up. Maybe I should get some lens warmers.
 
I don't know about what not to shoot (because I think almost everything is fair game). I do know a few things about how not to handle a camera.



  • ...
  • Don't use those Xcelerator hand cleaners in the bathroom to blow dust off of your sensor. Actually, give it a try and tell me how it works out. I'm curious.
    ...

They work great for drying out your camera after you failed to properly protect it during a torrential downpour :rolleyes1. Unfortunately I know this from personal experience. Nothing like your DSLR only functioning in green box mode and your 70-200 F2.8L lens no longer autofocusing to motivate you to find creative and immediate solutions.:idea: And in case you are at the Old Faithful Visitor Center at Yellowstone Park, I recommend the driers in the back of the Mens restroom if you don't want to get nasty looks for monopolizing the dryer (or for people to see the naked panic on your face).


Instead of what not to shoot I would like to offer up what not to forget.
  • Your extra battery (charged!)
  • Extra memory cards (Empty!)

The worst feeling is missing the shot because of either (or both) of these suggestions not being followed (again speaking from experience :headache:)
 
...Instead of what not to shoot I would like to offer up what not to forget.
  • Your extra battery (charged!)
  • Extra memory cards (Empty!)
The worst feeling is missing the shot because of either (or both) of these suggestions not being followed (again speaking from experience :headache:)

Extras? Heck, I've forgotten to bring any batteries or CF cards before. My new routine includes firing a test shot before leaving the house to make sure that I have a battery and a CF card. Now I just have to remember to fire the test shot. That's not easy for me seeing as how I once left my full camera bag by the door when I went to the airport for a 3 week trip to Canada. Thankfully a neighbor was able to run it to the airport for me.
 
A few other things not to shoot:

No impaling your loved ones. Photographing your loved ones mounted on poles doesn't usually look very good when you get home, so keep those poles out of their heads.

No video shot without image stabilization, and try to do with a minimum of walking. Unless you want to clean up the motion sickness mess around your living room after showing your spastic, bouncing, You-Tube style video to your family and friends. A side recommendation - don't share your phone video on a big screen. Unless you're a professional cinematographer, chances are it looks awful...so save everyone the trouble!

No closeups of anyone over age 40 at the parks. People over age 40 don't usually want to see a big 14MP blow up of their face on a big-screen TV or monitor while they were walking around Disney...this holds especially true of women, who usually don't bother with makeup or 'done' hair at Disney. If you do show, or print, such a photo, expect to be hit over the head with a shoe and then get into a wrestling match over the offending photo (or the remote for the TV showing the image).

No photos of two sibling children wearing goofy matching outfits together at the park. They will not only hate you when they find those photos when they're 17, but will especially hate you when you show the photos to their dates and blow their cool image. And if any of their friends see the photo, they will be harassed for life. Trust me.

Don't bother photographing Snow White in the parade. It doesn't matter how much you plan the shot, or how hard you try to time the shot, you will invariably end up with a photo of her with a goofy facial expression. It will seem like a good idea at the time, but then you'll see all the photos of hands over lips, closed eyes, deer-in-the-headlights expressions, lips-in-the-owl-whooo-sound-position, and other goofy looks. Then you might even feel like it's a personal challenge, and rattle off dozens of shots of her, figuring you'll catch her off guard when she's making a perfectly normal face...alas you will discover the futility of your actions, as she is a consummate professional, and will always manage to foil you.
 
I would avoid shots of backstage or construction areas. I was once questioned by a security CM about my photographic intentions. During the conversation, I was asked what areas were sensitive and likely to draw unwanted security attention. She said to avoid shooting backstage areas or areas walled off for construction. Disney is sensitive about such things.

We've also heard that using a tripod outside the House of Blues may induce security to ask to see your ID.

I would skip shooting during the Rock 'N' Rollercoaster ride. I believe it is against the rules and not likely to result in many good shots.

I'm not sure if there is a specific rule against it, but I would also be quite circumspect about shooting in bathrooms. No one said anything when I did it, but you should be careful.
 
I hadn't thought about where prhotography was prohibited.

I know there are a few attractions that prohibit flash photography. Star Tours comes to mind. Maybe that's another list to make.
 
I hadn't thought about where prhotography was prohibited.

I know there are a few attractions that prohibit flash photography. Star Tours comes to mind. Maybe that's another list to make.

The Finding Nemo ride at Epcot. A CM yelled "NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY!" right after dd and I got into a clam. I guess she noticed my dslr with my 18-200mm lens. I'm petite so anything hanging on me looks big and noticeable! :lmao:
 
...
I'm not sure if there is a specific rule against it, but I would also be quite circumspect about shooting in bathrooms. No one said anything when I did it, but you should be careful.

As long as you aren't shooting in "smell-o-vision", its probably ok.
 


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