Which settings/pics for this lens?

[dbaker375]

Hi there,
First off, I'm very new to photography other than point and shoot. I've been reading through this Forum in preparation for my Disney trip at the end of the month. I really have been learning alot, although still kind of confused on which lens to use for which, etc.

I have a Canon EOS 40D and a 28-135mm lens and a 70-300mm lens.

Today I purchased a 50mm F1.8 lens (got it on ebay for under $100).
I was thinking about trying to grab a 18-55mm lens as well.

I'm wanting to get decent shots of the buildings in the parks at night, fireworks, Fantasmic. I would love to have some shots from the rides.
(I know, ambitious, for being new at this! But, I'm a fast learner and a perfectionist by nature!!!)

Any suggestions from you fabulous photographers would be appreciated!!!

 

[photo_chick]

Learn how an exposure is made. Once you know that you'll know what you need to set the aperture, shutter speed and ISO to so you can get the shots.

You'll need a tripod for fireworks.

but the most important thing... Have fun. Don't stress if the shots aren't what you want. That's all the more reason to ride it again, right?

 

[bob100]

Hi there,
First off, I'm very new to photography other than point and shoot. I've been reading through this Forum in preparation for my Disney trip at the end of the month. I really have been learning alot, although still kind of confused on which lens to use for which, etc.

I have a Canon EOS 40D and a 28-135mm lens and a 70-300mm lens.

Today I purchased a 50mm F1.8 lens (got it on ebay for under $100).
I was thinking about trying to grab a 18-55mm lens as well.

I'm wanting to get decent shots of the buildings in the parks at night, fireworks, Fantasmic. I would love to have some shots from the rides.
(I know, ambitious, for being new at this! But, I'm a fast learner and a perfectionist by nature!!!)

Any suggestions from you fabulous photographers would be appreciated!!!

check out the photography section at your local library, there will probably be plenty of photography books like Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure.

 

[traylorc]

check out the photography section at your local library, there will probably be plenty of photography books like Bryan Peterson's Understanding Exposure.

I would second the recommendation for Bryan Peterson's understanding exposure. Peterson does a great job of explaining this topic.

 

[vickxo]

I have to agree with Photo Chick, learn how to use what you have and understanding exposure before exploring anything additional, you have a pretty great start with the 50mm. I learned in college that even the best equipment can't make someone good at photography it takes trial and error, while i agree reading the books wouldn't hurt and would be a great start I feel like I learned far more going out and doing and practicing than i did reading about it (and memorizing that annoying f-scale, every quiz we took had at least 50 scale equations on it.). Point is just go out and shoot and shoot and shoot you'll find that sometimes it'll just click

 

[mom2rtk]

Read through the sticky threads at the top of the Photography Forum. There's a lot of great advice there about the specific things you want to shoot.

Maybe start with one area thing you really want to shoot on this trip and get it down pat. Starting with "Understanding Exposure" is the best advice you will find.

If you want to shoot fireworks, as the others said, be sure to get a tripod. You can keep in in a locker during the day at the parks. There have been some threads here recently on choosing a good lightweight travel tripod. You will also need a remote shutter release.

You have some great coverage with the lenses you have, but I do agree with adding something on the wide end if you can afford it. 28 is great for many, but my personal preference is at least 18 on the wide end. At Disney the closer you can get, the fewer people will be between you and your subject.

 

[Frantasmic]

Go practice in your city with the types of shots you might like to get on your trip. Sure there aren't fireworks or giant mice fighting fire-breathing dragons in your city (at least I hope not). However, for buildings and other shots, you could practice.

I recently visited San Antonio and got to use my new Canon 60D for some fun night shots there. There isn't a "magic" setting that is going to guarantee you get a great shot. I played with all sorts of settings getting my shots. San Antonio has many buildings that are lit with lighting at night and I changed a lot of settings depending on what I was wanting to get.

Get a book and understand the basics, then go practice!

 

[dbaker375]

Remote shutter release: check!
Tripod: check! (never thought about putting it in a locker, thanks for that tip!)

I've been reading and trying to learn and have been trying to practice even in my neighborhood, a lot of the houses have the landscape lighting (better than nothing!!).

Thanks for all your tips!! I'm open to all suggestions!

 

[jkpatrick]

I would also recommend an external flash for low light/night shots, then set the flash to the 2nd curtain setting and put the camera on a tripod, then use a remote or set it on a 2 sec timer. I've seen so many people try to take night shots of the castle with friends/family and the flash only lights up the people and barely capture the castle. Or the shot is blurry and/or noisy cause the camera moves as they press the button.