Category Archives: landscape

Harambe Morning

Posted by Mike on

Africa, Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World

The morning of my Animal Kingdom day I decided to arrive early considering how Disney was letting guests into the parks before the official opening time. I knew I wouldn’t be able to experience any of the rides but I was hoping to get some nice images. My luck was further enhanced by most guest’s desire to run to the Pandora area of the park to get in line for the Avatar Flight of Passage attraction. This left entire sections of the park virtually people free.

One of my favorite areas to photograph is the Africa section of the park. The details Disney built into this section are amazing. Being early morning the sun was rising over the Harambe Market and bathing the buildings across the walkway in golden light. I decided to turn the camera to portrait orientation and grab a four image series to create a panoramic view. I think it turned out quite well…

Harambe Morning
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/60s, 16mm, f/11, ISO 200

Floating Boardwalk

Posted by Mike on

Crescent Lake, Walt Disney World

If I was asked what my favorite part of my trip to Walt Disney World was this time I would say it was the area around Crescent Lake. This is the resort area behind Epcot when you exit through the International Gateway. It is where the Yacht & Beach Club and Boardwalk resorts are located.

Each morning I would start my day with a walk around the lake to capture the sunrise and the resort areas still lit up for the night. If you are lucky enough to have the wind be non-existent and you are early enough before any activity starts on the lake you will be rewarded with mirror-like reflections. I was this fortunate on the last morning of my vacation. Add to this enough clouds in the sky to for some drama and you come home with a few amazing images.

This is the view of the Boardwalk resort from across the lake. I was in a second floor room facing the lake, one room to the right of the building with the Boardwalk sign on its roof. It was a great location for sunrise and sunsets.

Floating Boardwalk
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1.3s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200

Toward the Light

Posted by Mike on

Crescent Lake, Walt Disney World

Toward the Light
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 3.2s, 14mm, f/11, ISO 200

Wake Up Beach Club

Posted by Mike on

Crescent Lake, Walt Disney World

Although I really wanted to sleep a little longer, I got moving early enough yesterday to walk around Crescent Lake for pictures. This is literally the first image I grabbed. As I was walking toward the Yacht Club, as soon as I crested on the bridge over the waterway I stopped and setup the tripod. I couldn’t resist that sky!

I spent the next 45 minutes before the sun showed itself photographing the area around the lake. It is generally a good time to be out. Only a few people are out and about this early. There is minimal activity on the lake and if the wind is low you can get great reflections. There will be more images coming…

Wake Up Beach Club
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 3.2s, 20MM, f/8, ISO 200

Reflecting Trees

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

I went up to Delta Lake for the sunset. The park was practically empty. I walked up and down the beach getting interesting images of the setting sun. I even climbed the twelve foot high pile of sand at the one end of the beach for a unique view of the area.

When the sun was gone and I had my memory card loaded with images, I packed up my equipment and headed back home. At the stop sign near the front offices I looked over my right shoulder for one last look at the color in the sky. The reflection of the trees in the water was amazing. Well, now I had to pull over…

Reflecting Trees
Olympus E-M1 Mark III, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/10s, 16mm, f/11, ISO 400