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Disney’s Awesome Things #7: Getting a Postcard Quality Picture
#7 I don’t know about you, but I’m not a fantastic photographer. When I see all the other Disney photos on Flickr, it makes me so jealous. I looks like they take brilliant picture without even trying, doesn’t it?
Looking through our 20 inspirational photos post, I couldn’t help but notice how good all those photos were. Sure I take some great photos every now and then, but it seems they can’t take one bad picture.
You know what’s awesome? When your point-and-shoot camera suddenly transforms you into a high-grade photographer capturing beautiful details, wonderful colors, bright skies, and the Disney magic. It’s great when, after all those dud pictures you got, you capture something that looks postcard-perfect!
Vera, 
Tom Bricker 6:22 pm on February 24, 2010 Permalink |
A couple more tips if you’re using a point and shoot:
1) take pictures early in the morning and in the late afternoon for the best light and sky.
2) use trash cans as tripods at night, and use the self timer function on your camera
3) turn on your flash(!) for daytime outdoor character pictures to avoid ugly shadows
4) turn off your flash(!) on dark rides
5) notice the details, and take pictures of those from interesting and unique angles
6) capture the magic and have fun!
Tom Bricker 6:23 pm on February 24, 2010 Permalink |
…I think I played a little fast and loose with the term “couple”…
Matt 6:11 am on February 25, 2010 Permalink |
Thanks for those great tips, Tim! I’m sure they will greatly help people with point-and-shoot cameras…after all, you are a pro at all this.
Of course, I just got a new Nikon, so hopefully I won’t need these tips too much (though I do use trash cans as tripods!). You’ve commented on my pics a few times, I’m on there as tcwmatt.
See ya’ around; thanks for commenting!
chris 11:23 am on February 25, 2010 Permalink |
Some good ideas, Tom.
I can’t seem to work my camera. It’s needlessly complicated. Maybe I should read the manual?
Matt 5:04 pm on February 25, 2010 Permalink |
Hey Chris, I’m sure Tom would recommend reading the manual. Despite contrary belief, those things actually help!
I’ve only had my dSLR camera for a few months, and yet everyday I learn something new it can do. =)
Tom Bricker 8:40 pm on February 25, 2010 Permalink |
Yep, you’re going to want to read the manual. I get countless messages from people asking what type of camera I have and/or saying that they’re camera isn’t good. Nine times out of ten, if you’re having problems getting good images, it’s user error, not the camera. To take good pictures, you have to have a good understanding of how your camera works, and photography, generally. For the former, I recommend reading your manual. For the latter, try the book “Understanding Exposure” by Bryan Peterson–I learned photography by reading that book.
Tom Bricker 8:43 pm on February 25, 2010 Permalink
What I meant is that the camera is probably (honestly) the least important part of the equation in getting good pictures. Practice and knowledge really make the difference. Give an experienced pro a $100 point and shoot and give an inexperienced amateur a $6,000 DSLR and, without a doubt, the images the pro took with the $100 camera will look better.
(am I missing it, or is there no way to edit comments here?)
Matt 5:57 am on February 26, 2010 Permalink |
Very good thoughts, Tom. As for editing comments, I see a little edit button on the bottom right of every comment – do you see it for your own comments? I honestly don’t know…I’m the Admin, so I see it for every single one.
Vera 3:56 pm on February 2, 2011 Permalink |
Those pictures are great! I can’t wait to go back with a new camera!