Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/Lotion-View-1028.asp" target="_blank"><b>LP Lotion: Night Shots</b></a> LaughingPlace.com contributor Jon Van Ostenbridge sends a some beautiful night pictures from Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure taken over Easter weekend.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub And to think there are people who feel Disney is a waste of time. I have been searching for a word to describe what Disney has created. I am truly excited about visiting DL soon. Thanks for sharing these incredible photos. Sure would be nice to have that talent cause I know it takes more than a great camera.
Originally Posted By CuriouserConstance Are there lights on the golden zephyr cable wires that the hold the "airplanes" on?
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I have to say that Paradise Pier is simply beautiful after dark.
Originally Posted By frostysnowman Fantastic photos! They have made me extra excited about our trip to Disneyland and DCA next month!
Originally Posted By pwrof3 I prefer the lighting scheme on the old Sun Wheel to the new Mickey's Fun Wheel LED stuff.
Originally Posted By jvanostenbridge All, Thanks for the compliments on the photos. During each visit I see so many guests struggling with their cameras to get that one special shot of fireworks or attractions/landmarks in the parks and I make opportunities to help some of them out, but, so many end up settling for that partially blurry photo (at best). Here are some tips that might help you to get the photo you are looking for when shooting at night: 1.Steady the camera: You don’t have to have a tripod (though I use one). Stabilizing your camera on top of a trash can, on a railing, or against a lamppost will work just as well. The key is keeping the camera still while the shutter is open. 2. Turn off the flash: the flash illuminates foreground elements that reflect light to your camera’s sensor. Turning it off means that the shutter needs to remain open longer, but it also lets you capture the color of light that is reflecting off of your illuminated subject. 3. Experiment: Start using your camera in Auto mode with the flash turned off, and steadied as described above. You'll be surprised with your immediate results (that's how I got started). Once you’ve got that down try some manual settings (focus, shutter, aperture). Obviously, fireworks take a bit more practice (and a tripod) to shoot. Getting to know the musical cues helps a lot and having a remote (as I do) or a bulb trigger is needed. Whereas you could shoot landmarks pretty easily with a point-and-shoot camera, you may need more capability (and more practice) to shoot fireworks successfully. So, ignore all the eye-rolling you’ll get when you pronounce, “you go ahead to Space Mountain. I’m gonna stay here on Main Street and shoot night shots”. Every night shot that turns out offers its own reward.
Originally Posted By CuriouserConstance It is very difficult to get any decent shots of fireworks with a point and shoot camera, this is the best I've ever gotten. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/curiousdisney/sets/72157623900468856/" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/c...0468856/</a>
Originally Posted By jvanostenbridge CuriouserConstance, Pretty good photos considering your shooting constraints. I expect your camera has image stabilization which gives you a little extra time with the shutter open but not too much. Your camera also seems to do pretty well with focusing in low light. For the fireworks shots, I'm shooting with a digital SLR on a tripod with a 2- to 4-second exposure. That's what produces the streaks. If someone bumps the tripod, the vibration blurs the shot and if my timing is off, I miss the shot all together (since the shutter is open for the wrong 3 seconds). So, as with many things, practice makes perfect. I have successfully shot fireworks with a point and shoot camera, but I still used a tripod and the timer setting (so there would be no vibration or movement while the shutter was open). It can be a challenge, but it's still achievable.
Originally Posted By CuriouserConstance It does have image stabilization, but a lot of pictures still come out blurry.
Originally Posted By jvanostenbridge CuriouserConstance, I hear what you are saying. Image stabilization can help a bit, though, in many cases, not enough when your source of light is at a distance and relatively dim. Even though fireworks seem like they emit a lot of light, that's relative to the backdrop of the night sky. Also, your camera is likely doing more than applying image stabilization. If it is in Auto mode, it is probably adjusting the shutter speed, f-stop (aperture), and light sensitivity of the sensor (ASA) to get the best shot possible. Even with all these adjustments, if the camera doesn't remain motionless while the shutter is open, your photo will be blurry.
