Shutter Bug

Capturing Magical Moments at WDW: Part III – Still Photography

Friday, February 6, 2004
by Mike Scopa, MousePlanet staff writer

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Mike Scopa first visited Walt Disney World almost 30 years ago. Planning a trip was simple back in the 1970s, with only the Magic Kingdom and a few Disney-owned resorts in Orlando.

Over the past 11 years, Mike has been perfecting his WDW trip-planning skills as he has hosted chats and bulletin boards about Disney for a Fortune 100 company.

Mike brings his experience to MousePlanet in a series of lessons to help you with all the phases of planning a WDW trip.

Mike pays special attention to all the details that ensure your family has the best possible time at the Happiest Place on Earth.

You can contact Mike here.

Here are trip reports that Mike has written that are part of MousePlanet's archives:

Michael Scopa -- August 1999 -- Walt Disney World (CSR)

Michael J. Scopa -- July 1997 -- Walt Disney World (WL/CBR)

Mike Scopa -- July 1994 -- Walt Disney World (WL / CBR)

Also, don't miss Lani Teshima's column, “The Trip Planner” for more travel planning information.

Get the latest info about the resort at “Park Update: Walt Disney World.”

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