Greetings All

[jcvalenti]

Hi there, folks. Just wanted to introduce myself and say hello. After a 20 year layoff (1984 - 2004), I took the family back to Disney World in 2004 for an extended family trip. We had such a good time, we went back 2 more times over the next year (God Bless annual passes) ... and we're planning another "2 in one year" barrage in 2008 - 2009. When I went back, I mostly took video, and only brought a small point and shoot dcam for the photos (thus the horrible overexposure in the pic of me at my favorite spot below).

I pretty much resigned myself to lugging a backpack full of DSLR gear down there for the next trip, and when searching the net for some photo tips last week, I came across Tim's excellent blog. In addition to convincing me that I should actually attempt to bring the backpack (along with an 8 year old and a 2 year old) next time down there, this site pretty much has me itching to find a way to do a long weekend this year. Thanks to school schedules, we usually go down there in June or over the 4th of July ... which is fun, but WAAAAAYYYYY too crowded for some of the better ambience shots.

In any event, I look forward to picking everyone's brains over the coming months, and hopefully getting some good tips. I consider myself a true amateur at this photography stuff, having just jumped back in the SLR game last year for the first time since High School. Don't even ask how long ago that was. Anyway, I've got a a pretty decent Canon Digital Rebel set up and will be looking for some advice on how to build it up by the next trip ... lenses, filters, travel tripods/monopods ... that kind of thing. Hopefully I can get some good tips from the regulars here.

Ahhh ... Giant Half & Half's at the Rose & Crown ... the key to happy traveling with 10 kids under 10.

 

[Tim]

joe, as i've said before, flattery will get you everywhere here. welcome and enjoy!

 

[Roger]

Welcome!

Actually your picture doesn't look that overexposed except for the background, which is sometimes unavoidable unless you have a dSLR with probably an off-camera flash (based on where the person taking the picture is standing).

Tip: Filters - now with white balance adjustments, most filters are obsolete. Some still swear by one to protect the front element, some people now abhor filters. Personally the only one I'll carry nowadays is a circular polarizer. Maybe a neutral density, but I'm not taking long exposure time pictures of waterfalls in bright sun that much.

Tip: Buy large CF cards, and shoot RAW.

 

[Tim]

as far as filters go, i put a multicoated UV filter on the front of all my lenses. it's a cheap insurance policy against messing up the front element and it doesnt change the exposure to do anything other than sit there...

must my $0.02.... do i get change back?

 

[Jeff Fillmore]

Traveling with 10 kids under 10? Yikes!

 

[barrie]

Nice to meet you and welcome! I'd have to go that route with even one kid at WDW, 10 is just outrageous!

 

[Roger]

must my $0.02.... do i get change back?

No Tim, sorry. it costs 3.5 cents for those 2 cents.

 

[Tim]

figures.....


btw.... did i miss something? who has 10 kids?

 

[jann1033]

figures.....


btw.... did i miss something? who has 10 kids?

caption under his photo..

which made me think "wow!" as well but looking forward to nice shots, at least one per kid ;D !

 

[jcvalenti]

Hey all - thanks for the welcome. lol ... no, all 10 aren't mine. That's the whole group (we went with my sisters and their kids and a couple friends). I only had 1 kid the last time we went, and will have 2 going next time. At least bringing the one one in a stroller guarantees a place to stow the gear and ponchos while waltzing around the park. I've got about 2000 pictures taken with various point and shoots from the past trips, but frankly, the "outstanding" snaps are few and far between ... which is why I'm taking the DSLR down there.

As for filters, the folks on the dpreview forums seem to swear by them. I plan to do a great deal of testing this summer (assuming it ever comes) to see what works best in the bright summer sun.

Right now my gear is pretty limited, but improving:

Canon Digital Rebel XT
18-55 kit lens
Canon 70-200 f/4 L lens
Tamron 28-75
Canon 50mm lens (ie, the best $60 lens in recorded time)
Speedlight 580EX flash

I'm probably going to want to get a nice wide angle for the trip, and really wouldn't mind replacing the Tamron with a better "every day" lens. I've been underwhelmed with the results on that so far. Outside of that, I've got a year to research all the necessary "extras" for a summer WDW trip - some waterproofing, a good neckstrap, and a tripod or monopod, just in case I want to snap some good night shots.

 

[Tim]

without taking any unnecessary pot-shots at the dpreview forums, which i used to frequent and a few members here still do, i think you will find this community much more helpful and supportive. i created this community with the sole purpose of giving disney photography buffs someone to go and chat with like-minded folks who share the same interests and the community is one where we can all learn together and share your photos. i am glad you are here and i am sure you will have a great time.

did you have a shandy at the rose and crown?

 

[jcvalenti]

I generally got some good advice on the dpreview forums, but I know what you mean ... there are a lot of "that sort". You know - the ones that think if you're not hiking a back trail up Mount Mckinley with your $1500 carbon fiber monopod and your $20,000 20 MP cam, you're not serious about your hobby. And forget about asking about photo at Disney ... who has time for the 15 responses commenting on your vacation preferences.

Just from sneaking around the forums I can already see there is a good core of buffs here ... can't wait to be a part of it.

And as for the shandy, I've had them before (and enjoyed them), but I generally stick to the half and halfs. The citrus in my beer generally clashes with the plate full of bangers and mash I'm usually picking at.

 

[Roger]

Here's an idea - find a local camera shop that rents lenses. Rent one for a weekend, and go and have fun.

Besides, that is sometimes a cost effective way to get a lens you don't really NEED day to day.

Or can afford.

That's how I got a 300/2.8 into DL, which is a big no-no. But for some reason, no one complained except the Fantasmic! Stage Manager, whom I was able to placate with the "personal use", which is 100% true.

When I was (briefly) media at DL, we were escorted out of the park after the event. We could go back in for free but I would have to stow my gear outside.