1. Move in close. Disney parks and resorts are well known for their incredible attention to detail in storytelling. Zoom in on the details to create your picture story.
2. Watch the light. If you're in the shade or the subject is back lit, use your flash to fill in the shadows. Some flash heads can be adjusted (-/+) to prevent blowing out (washing out) the shadows entirely. Experiment at home with your flash, before you travel. Each camera is different. Get to know yours.
4. Move the subject off center. It creates interest:) Here's an example of a couple of interesting characters. Moving them off center gives the illusion they are deep in conversation.
5. Be quick, snap to it! If you take too long you may miss the moment and/or your Dole Whip will be a puddle of mush as mine was here.
8. Chimp as you go! "Chimping" is an expression for reviewing your pictures. If you're in bright light put a towel, shirt something over your head so that you can see your pictures on your LCD screen. Don't waste valuable touring/family time deleting pictures. Delete, dump and get rid of your trashy photos later back in your resort.
9. Shoot, shoot, shoot! Bring lots and lots of memory from home. You can neverhave enough memory! Your memories are priceless so protect them by putting your ph# on the memory card using a CD/DVD marker. I also put this picture of our dog, Einstein (with my ph#) on my memory card as the first picture I see when I turn on the camera. You could also take a picture of your business card or a quick snap of your resort room number. Having a photo or phone number on your memory card helps ensure it will be returned to you if found.
10. Get in the pic. Give your camera to a PhotoPass photographer or a son as I did:) Photopass photographers are always very willing to take pictures with your camera.
10+ Read the manual!!
No kidding, I'm approached all the time for directions on how to work cameras! I don't mind at all, but quite often all they really had to do was to read the manual. You don't want to miss capturing one magical moment! If you're stuck, there are very helpful Cast Members in camera shops located in each of the parks that can assist with your camera questions.
Well, that's it for today:) I hope you enjoyed reading my little list. If you're you'd like to read my " I'm no expert" DISclaimer you can find it in my "about me". Time to get my pictures ready for The Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop ~ Disney Style!
Till next time.
Happy snapping!
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Great tips! I love vertical shots, they seem to have so much more interests somehow. But, alas, they don't fit my blog format well. I need to try them more anyway.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips, Deb! I am trying to improve my photography skills (and learn more about my camera's features) before our fall trip, so I really appreciate you sharing!
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica, I love verticals but they take up a lot of space on blogs. In scrapbooks they work well though:)
ReplyDeleteHi Beth, You're so welcome:)Any questions just ask. I'm here. Is there one topic that you'd like to know more about?
Great tips!! I am always learning something new.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary:) Me too! That's one of the reasons I love photography!
ReplyDeleteAs a regular solo traveler, I LOVE my xshot!
ReplyDeleteDeb- you did it! Thanks for the SUPER tips (I especially like the gadget for self-photos). I'm hopping over from Top Ten Tuesday... :DM
ReplyDeleteI had never thought of #9. Great idea. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Heather, what a neat piece of gear it is. She just whipped it out of her pocket and snap!
ReplyDeleteDM, thanks! I just found the top ten this week myself:) I'm enjoying them:)
Tricia, thanks for stopping by. #9 comes from my finding an SD card lying on the floor in The Living Seas. I turned it in to lost and found right away of course. I just hope that it found it's way back to it's owner. Had there been a number on it. I would've called them RAW.
It's great to see you all enjoyed reading my top 10. I'm not and expert by any means but I have had a few..(cough).. ok, many years experience taking pics;)
GREAT article, Deb!! Love it! :) I also just put your blog button on my blog. :) I'll be back...
ReplyDeleteGreat shots. Good advice all around. I have been photographing WDW since 1971 (took my first pix of DL in 1968) and still enjoy taking something new or finding a new way to photograph something that I already have thousands of shots of. (http://imagegatherer.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/moreways/)
ReplyDeleteRegarding vertical shots in blogs ... if you wrap the text they don't take up so much real estate. Here is an example (first shot) http://disneyworldreports.blogspot.com/2011/11/last-day-take-2.html
ReplyDeleteThank you Brittany, I'm glad you enjoyed it! Have a great trip to Disney World! Looking forward to seeing your pics!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I know to use my flash to fill...but I'm just not in the practice of it, so I forget when I'm actually shooting. Gonna work on that. :o)
ReplyDeleteThanks Lucinda! Yes, I have to remind myself to do it too. It's counterintuitive;)
ReplyDelete