Since you cannot spend your entire life in Walt Disney World (WDW)
with your family, you strive to relive your vacation through videotapes
or still photography. So what can you do to make sure that you have the
given yourself the best opportunity to capture these moments?
In this, our final look at capturing those memories at Walt Disney World,
let’s consider some thoughts on still photography in Orlando. Brian Bennett
graciously gives some of his time to contribute to this session, as well.
Let’s look at some preparation steps, guidelines for taking photos, and
what WDW can offer you to help you with your photography.
And for the record, neither Brian nor I are great photographers, but
instead, as Brian describes, “an amateur photographer with a halfway
decent digital camera with a fairly good eye for photo composition.”
Be a Scout—be prepared
Before you leave your room in the morning, be sure that you have plenty
of film for your camera, and that your digital camera has fully charged
batteries. It may also be wise to bring extra batteries. Always have a
general idea as to how many images your memory card can hold for your
digital camera.
There are several places in WDW where you can drop off a digital memory
card to have the images downloaded onto a CD. This service is usually
offered in any theme park camera shop and especially in Epcot at the shop
right outside the Honey I Shrunk the Audience attraction. Prices
are always dangerous to mention because they tend to be moving objects,
but for the record, the cost of downloading onto a CD is currently about
$12.
Preparation also includes a plan. What is your general schedule for the
day, and what do you expect to photograph? Any idea as to volume? Will
you be breaking up the day and returning to your room or will you be gone
all day?
All these questions are important, as they have a direct impact on your
photography supply needs.
The choice
Remember that movie Sophie’s Choice, in which Meryl Streep had
to choose between her children? For some, deciding whether to go with
film or digital photography can sometimes be just as traumatic.
But it doesn’t have to be.
If you feel more comfortable with film than digital, then by all means
stick with it. I never felt comfortable using a film camera because there
was always this concern about wasting film or doing my specialty—the
double exposure. Also, having to wait to see how well the pictures turned
out was no fun to me. I prefer digital technology because it is so forgiving.
Cut off one of Mickey’s ears? No problem. Delete, reshoot! Digital photography
can make poor photographers good, and good photographers great.
The notion of not worrying about wasting film or making a mistake really
attracted me to digital photography.
Brian feels the same way, who says, “My digital is a great tool
for me and my style and I would just die if I had to use film.”
When it comes to looking for great technical hints and tips, Brian speaks
highly of those provided by Mouseplanet reader Rick Chase, available
at MousePlanet.
Digital camera choices
I’m sure you’ll find plenty of information on the Internet regarding
how to choose the best digital camera for your needs. Brian Bennett uses,
in his words, “a relatively outmoded” Olympus D460 zoom camera.
Brian likes the reliability of this camera and serves him well for the
pictures he takes in and around WDW.
I use a simple Fuji film digital camera, which serves my purpose. Rather
than extolling the virtues of a gazillion digital cameras now on the market,
I’d rather suggest that you are best to understand what you want from
a camera and how you will use it so you do not purchase beyond your needs.
Pictures, pictures, pictures
People take photos in different ways. Brian explains:
“I like to look at photographs that let me see the park (whichever
one I’m in) the way I see it when I’m there. It boils down to three different
kinds of pictures like first, establishing shots of an area. For example,
shown below, is a picture I took of The Land pavilion at Epcot. I use
it as an example of a good establishing shot for two reasons. First, the
color is extraordinary. The color and texture of the plantings are spectacular.
Second, the pavilion and the reflection in the pool, provide a nicely
filled image. There isn’t too much sky or concrete, although there is
enough sky to provide a nice backdrop for the overall shot.”
The Land pavilion. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Brian makes a good point. When he speaks of a “nicely filled image,”
I think of balance. When you are taking a general photograph of the park
your picture will offer much more if your main subject is centered or
is complimented by a number of minor subjects around it. This balance
will give your photograph somewhat of an authentic look to your subject
matter.
Brian, on how he loves to take pictures that involve detail
I like to take close-up shots of details that interest me. These
images are much more difficult to make interesting because there
just isn’t as much going on in the photograph. They are useful to
point out specific things, but are not really ‘eye candy’ like the
establishing shots give you. For example, here is a picture I took
of a Dole Whip. It took this picture during my November 2000 visit
to Walt Disney World for one purpose and one purpose only: to tease
Mike Scopa about the fact that I’d just had a Dole Whip and he hadn’t.
Is it a great picture? Not really. Is it colorful and interesting?
Hardly. Did it make a point? I bet Mike is salivating just from
looking at it. I’ll have to let him judge for me.
Torturing Mike with Dole Whip. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Brian is right. I’m a slave to Dole Whips… good picture.
Brian also points out a very important third category of picture taking
at WDW: that of his family. I, too, share this passion.
Brian, on how photos of family can work for you
The third kind of picture I enjoy taking are pictures of my family
enjoying themselves in the parks. With two young boys and a gorgeous
young wife, I have a lot of opportunities to take pictures of our
family with characters, on the attractions, and just hamming it
up for the camera. Such pictures are often taken indoors, and the
automatic flash on my camera does a nice job of giving just enough
light without washing out the subject.
And that’s what it’s all about—capturing a moment that your family
will treasure forever.
Obvious/not-so-obvious tips
I know that sometimes I forget the most simple of tips, and it may be
helpful if I point out some of these to you.
When you are planning to take pictures of one of the parades, be sure
to locate a viewing spot that will have the sun looking over your shoulder.
You’re saying, “C’mon Mike, everybody knows that!”
That’s true, but sometimes the primary goal for some of us is just to
find a spot to watch the parade. If you will be photographing the parade
you need to know where the sun will be in relation to where you’re sitting.
For example, if you want to take photos of the afternoon Magic Kingdom
Parade, one of the best place to plant yourself is outside Casey’s Corner
on Main Street, USA. As the floats come around the castle area they will
be facing you and the sun will be shining on them and not in your lens.
As you go through the Magic Kingdom or any theme park, look for those
Kodak photo spots, and take note as to why these spots make for great
pictures. You may understand how best to select your own photo spots in
other parts of the parks.
When dealing with characters and character meetings be ready to snap
that shutter. As you stand in line waiting for your child’s chance to
hug Chip or Dale look through your camera to get an idea as to how you
will frame the picture and capture that smile.
This will save you some time and anxiety when it’s your turn to “capture
a smile.”
Photography protocol
This is near and dear to my heart: Be aware of your surroundings. You
will never be anywhere else in the world where more shutters will be snapped
than in WDW. This means that at any one time you may find yourself walking
in front of someone trying to take a photograph… keep your eyes peeled.
Most—but not all—WDW guests are usually in a good mood, so
if you see someone who you think wouldn’t mind taking a second to snap
a picture of you and a friend, spouse, significant other, or Dole Whip,
don’t be afraid to ask.
Also, if you see guests who may be in need of a friendly photographer,
make the offer to snap a picture of them.
It’s all part of Disney magic.
Brian, on the use of composition and candids
To me, taking a great picture with a simple point-and-shoot digital
camera boils down to composition. Taking a great picture requires
having interesting subject material and an aesthetically pleasing
arrangement of that material. For one thing, avoid taking ‘antiseptic-looking’
photos of empty rooms and areas of the park. A lot of empty concrete
without people is depressing.
Attempt to get a contrast between foreground material and background
material. Even though the main purpose of taking the photograph
is either far away or close up, adding something else to the composition
adds interest. You can see how this photograph, with the lamp post
in the foreground, adds depth and makes an otherwise boring picture
a bit more interesting. Even though this picture is a bit washed
out, it’s fun to look at.
The landing. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Fill up that picture! There’s nothing more boring than looking
at a photograph that has a subject that looks like nothing more
than a smudge in the center. Here’s a picture of a stork that I
recently took over at Animal Kingdom. It was amazing how close this
bird allowed me to get without plucking out my eyeballs, but the
result, I think, makes for a very interesting picture.
A Magic Kingdom stork. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Take natural pictures. It’s great to get the whole family lined
up in front of Cinderella’s Castle for an annual picture, but don’t
forget about those pictures that show your family, especially the
kids, just enjoying themselves. The wonder and amazement that you
can sometimes capture in the twinkle of your son or daughter’s eye
are priceless, and much more fun to look at than just another fabricated
group shot with everyone plastering on those too big smiles. This
picture of my son, Michael, was taken on his very first drive on
the Tommorrowland Speedway just a few days ago. The smile is completely
for real. After all, he really was driving for the very first
time!
Michael at the wheel. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Again, Brian makes some key points about balance, being natural, and
being aware of your family’s enjoyment and capturing that joy.
Scrapbooking
While jotting down notes for this particular article, I was looking at
several boxes containing many envelopes of pictures from vacations past.
I then realized that scrapbooking should be a part of this discussion.
For this part of our session, I asked Brian to talk a bit about scrapbooking,
and how MouseMemories (link)
could help me and others turn a pile of envelopes into a treasure.
Brian, on scrapbooking and MouseMemories
An Internet poll taken a couple of years ago indicated that the
average family takes 13 to 14 rolls of film on a Disney vacation.
Those development envelopes can really pile up! Often they just
get tucked into a drawer and maybe brought out occasionally. Those
pictures were originally taken to help you remember that terrific
trip experience. Yet, unfortunately, they are usually all but forgotten.
MouseMemories began as a hobby. Barbara Bennett, my wife, was introduced
to scrapbooking several years ago and immediately loved it. She
began creating memory albums for our family, our sons, our hobbies,
and our vacations. As Disney fans and Disney Vacation Club owners,
we often would travel to WDW at least once a year, taking many pictures
on each trip.
It quickly became a challenge to find the perfect products to make
even more Disney pages without repeating previous ideas.
There is a lot of great Disney scrapbooking supplies out there,
but each store or online site only carries a tiny fraction of them.
MouseMemories was created out of a desire to bring them all together
into a one-stop shopping place for all those great Disney products.
Now, I couldn’t let Brian stop there. I know that this scrapbooking idea
will get someone’s interest up, including mine. I asked Brian to expand
a bit on what MouseMemories could do for me. Unlike those average families
we usually go through 24 rolls of film, I had enough photos to add an
addition onto the house to store these pictures.
Brian explained that MouseMemories has a team of professionals who can
“turn those envelopes of pictures into a beautiful, custom album.”
Beyond that, Brian assured me that all the materials used are of archival
quality to protect people’s pictures.
So after you’ve come back from a great family vacation and develop all
those pictures, you can go from this:
A mess of memories. Photo by Brian Bennett.
To this:
An album of memories. Photo by Brian Bennett.
I’d like to thank Brian for his contributions to this article, especially
for giving in and mentioning MouseMemories and the service it provides.
Next Time
We always hear about “Disney magic” and “magical moments,”
and a few months back we were introduced to the term “Magical Gatherings.”
In our next session, we will look at an extraordinary magical gathering
that took place in the Magic Kingdom—a gathering that was 40 years
in the making.
Class dismissed.
