Category Archives: Disney

Butterfly House

Posted by Mike on

Not everything at Disney has the ‘Disney’ look to it. During the events, like the International Flower & Garden Festival, there are amazing exhibits geared toward the event that only have a hint of Disney. The Butterfly House is one of those exhibits. A beautiful garden filled with assorted butterflies and flowers. The only taste of Disney is the fairy houses spread throughout the exhibit but even those don’t scream Disney. The exhibit also teaches about butterflies and the benefits they bring a garden. I was prepared for the event this year. I had the right lens, camera settings all figured out and luckily an overcast day which provided wonderful even lighting. Here is a short tour through the garden…

Butterfly House 1 Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 70mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Butterfly House 1
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 70mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Butterfly House 2 Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/160s, 35mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Butterfly House 2
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/160s, 35mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Butterfly House 3 Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/320s, 70mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Butterfly House 3
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/320s, 70mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Butterfly House 4 Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 26mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Butterfly House 4
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 26mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Butterfly House 5 Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/250s, 70mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Butterfly House 5
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/250s, 70mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Butterfly House 6 Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/160s, 28mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Butterfly House 6
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/160s, 28mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Butterfly House 7 Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/250s, 35mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Butterfly House 7
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/250s, 35mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Butterfly House 8 Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/320s, 70mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Butterfly House 8
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/320s, 70mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Hospitality House

Posted by Mike on
Hospitality House Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {1, 2.5, 5, 10, 15s bracket}, 26mm, f/16, ISO 200

Hospitality House
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {1, 2.5, 5, 10, 15s bracket}, 26mm, f/16, ISO 200

Illuminations from Japan

Posted by Mike on

I am by no means a firework photographer. I never even considered capturing fireworks until last fall when I went to the Photomagic 2013 event. I didn’t do so well during that trip but I did pick up on a few tips from the other photographers. I also purchased a digital remote shutter release for my camera prior to this trip and it has made a big difference in what I can do for night photography. I’m still learning and probably knowing the show sequence would yield better results but here is another from a beginner…

Illuminations from Japan Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 3s, 17mm, f/16, ISO 800

Illuminations from Japan
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 3s, 17mm, f/16, ISO 800

Rainbow Connection

Posted by Mike on

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is the reason I came down to Disney in March. It has been a few years since I last attended and I had such a great time I wanted to experience it again. OK, I guess I don’t really need an excuse to go to Disney so I should just stop and say I WANTED TO GO! 🙂

The topiaries Disney creates for this festival are part of the draw for me. They really have mastered that art form. I believe I managed to capture them all this year but being a long time Muppets fan I just couldn’t wait to share this one. I know it is more in promotion of the upcoming movie but I liked the lighting and scene they created for Kermit and Miss Piggy. I had to capture four different exposures to get everything lit properly but the resulting HDR didn’t turn out too bad.

Rainbow Connection Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {5, 10, 20 & 40s bracket}, 24mm, f/16, ISO 100

Rainbow Connection
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {5, 10, 20 & 40s bracket}, 24mm, f/16, ISO 100

Contemplating

Posted by Mike on

Whenever I visit the Animal Kingdom park at Walt Disney World I always walk the two exploration trails, the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail and the Maharajah Jungle Trek. It is a nice way to relax, take your time and most often get some great images of the animals. Yesterday at the park the gorillas were out in full force. I have never seen so many out and about at the same time.

Contemplating Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/250s, 200mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Contemplating
Nikon D5100, Nikkor 55-200mm f/4-5.6, 1/250s, 200mm, f/5.6, ISO 800

Produce Truck

Posted by Mike on

One of my favorite activities at Walt Disney World is exploring. There are hidden details around every corner. Maybe not hidden on purpose but placed by the imagineers to help tell the story while not always standing out front shouting ‘look at me!’ I found this produce truck behind Anaheim Produce along Sunset Boulevard. I spotted it while cutting through the seating area for the eateries lining the boulevard and knew I would be back once the sun had set. I was rewarded with no one around and was able to setup to capture my multiple exposures for an HDR image.

Produce Truck Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {2, 5, 13 & 25s bracket}, 17mm, f/16, ISO 200

Produce Truck
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, {2, 5, 13 & 25s bracket}, 17mm, f/16, ISO 200

Wishes over Beast’s Castle

Posted by Mike on
Wishes over Beast's Castle Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 8s, 17mm, f/16, ISO 400

Wishes over Beast’s Castle
Nikon D5100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 8s, 17mm, f/16, ISO 400