Goin’ Around the Bend

Monorail Monday
Epcot, Walt Disney World

Comin' Around the Bend Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/400s, 32mm, f/8, ISO 200

Comin’ Around the Bend
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/400s, 32mm, f/8, ISO 200

Torii Gate Light Reflections

Torii Gate, Japan Pavilion
Epcot, Walt Disney World

It is only a few days away from my planned (and then cancelled) fall trip to Walt Disney World. I am feeling a little home sick. LOL The autumn and Halloween time decorations, combined with the Food and Wine Festival, make this time of year my favorite time to visit. I had also planned on attending the Magic in Pixels – Pixelmania 2014 event but some required training for work interrupted my plans. It only delays the inevitable and allows me to save up for a more glorious spring trip. 😉

The Japan Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase is one of my favorite places to explore and photograph. The Imagineers went all in on this pavilion. There are numerous iconic features that draw my camera’s attention on every trip. The torii gate in the waters at the front of the pavilion has always been a challenge for me. I even make it more difficult be insisting on capturing it at night. I do like the light reflections though…

Torii Gate Light Reflections Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 80 & 106s bracket}, 17mm, f/16, ISO 400

Torii Gate Light Reflections
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 80 & 106s bracket}, 17mm, f/16, ISO 400

A Quiet Morning for Reflection

Flame Tree Barbecue seating area
Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World

One of the reasons I love going to Disney is for the exploration. There are the obvious attractions and experiences that Disney pushes at their guests but my greatest enjoyment comes from wandering around the parks and finding all the little details that enhance our experience. Most visitors will not make the time to actually see what has been built as they rush from one big event to the next. My initial visits were that way as I wasn’t sure if and when we would return. We dragged the kids through long days and tried to ‘see’ everything. What we missed were the quiet moments that become the memory makers.

I was in the Animal Kingdom last October for the early morning extra magic hour and wandered down to the seating area behind the Flame Tree Barbecue. This area has one of the best views of Expedition Everest but what I found was the detail and beauty built just so the guests have a nice place to eat lunch. I spent the whole hour in this area photographing the details. I don’t remember which attraction I rode first that day but I do remember how much fun I had exploring that morning.

Slow down and enjoy the little moments…

A Quiet Morning for Reflection Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {1/4, 1/10 & 1/25s bracket}, 24mm, f/16, ISO 200

A Quiet Morning for Reflection
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {1/4, 1/10 & 1/25s bracket}, 24mm, f/16, ISO 200

Strike Up The Band!

Fall Decorations
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

Last year was the start of a whirlwind adventure between me and Walt Disney World. It started with the PhotoMagic meet in October, a few trips in the spring and was going to end with the Pixelmania meet this October. To be fair I didn’t really plan it that way but when the Pixelmania meet was scheduled I had hoped it would be the perfect end cap to my year. I will not be able to make it down this month but going over last year’s pictures reminded me how much I enjoy the Fall/Halloween season at Disney. I’m just going to have to plan better for next year… 🙂

Strike Up The Band! Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/125s, f/2.8, ISO 1600

Strike Up The Band!
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8, 1/125s, f/2.8, ISO 1600

Technology and Nature

Monorail Monday

Technology and Nature Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/320s, 24mm, f/11, ISO 250

Technology and Nature
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/320s, 24mm, f/11, ISO 250

Splash Mountain… this way!

Splash Mountain...  this way! Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/800s, 24mm, f/8, ISO 400

Splash Mountain… this way!
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/800s, 24mm, f/8, ISO 400

Harper’s Mill

Rivers of America, Frontierland, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

If someone was to ask me what my favorite part of the Magic Kingdom park was I would have a tough time answering. Each land and/or area has something that I just have to visit when I am there. It can even change based on the time of day.

Going through my images from my various Disney trips I do notice I spend a little extra effort capturing the Rivers of America area. I’m not sure if it is due to anything more than there is a lot going on visually around the water. And is probably related to my fascination with water. Maybe I’m just drawn to the frontier setting, which in itself is a contradiction as I do love my technology. I remember growing up thinking I would live in a log cabin but it would be tricked out with all the latest electronic gear.

During my last trip in June I was finally able to capture the Liberty Belle Riverboat and Harper’s Mill in one image. I have avoided any daytime captures and spent most of my time trying for night images but the approaching rain created some nice soft light and good drama in the sky. This image is a three exposure bracket combined using Photomatix and then processed with Photoshop.

Harper's Mill Nikon D5100, Tokina 12-28mm f/4, {1/13, 1/30 & 1/80s bracket}, 17mm, f/8, ISO 100

Harper’s Mill
Nikon D5100, Tokina 12-28mm f/4, {1/13, 1/30 & 1/80s bracket}, 17mm, f/8, ISO 100

An Epcot Morning

An Epcot Morning Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/125s, 24mm, f/11, ISO 200

An Epcot Morning
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5, 1/125s, 24mm, f/11, ISO 200