Category Archives: photography

Disney 100

Posted by Mike on

Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

My first park day was at the Magic Kingdom. With early entry I was exploring before 8am. Although we were contained within the hub, there was plenty to see and photograph. I made the most of it. A large portion of the guests lined up at the entrance to Fantasyland next to the Mad Tea Party ride for a race to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

After grabbing my images I sat on a bench along the bridge from the hub while we all waited for the 8:30am rope drop. As everyone lined up for Seven Dwarfs I walked over to Peter Pan’s Flight. I enjoyed the queue and was on my pirate ship within 10 minutes. Later in the day you wouldn’t be able to get a ride without an hour wait.

It was a Halloween party night and the park was relatively empty. By 9:15am I had not only enjoyed Peter Pan’s Flight but visited the 999 happy haunts in the Haunted Mansion and traversed Big Thunder Mountain Railroad twice! Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise were completed before 10am. This was all while I was happily capturing images of everything. I played Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin (only scored 317,000) while I watched my boarding group time approach for TRON Lightcycle/Run (great ride!).

My favorite artist, Larry Dotson, would be signing his work at The Art of Disney store in Disney Springs later in the afternoon (last day of a week long stay). I left the Magic Kingdom around 2pm after a great time doing almost everything I wanted to do. The line in front of the train station with the photo pass photographer was basically empty so I asked if I could grab a “people free” image. I generally wait in line like everyone else even though I’m not getting my picture taken.

Disney 100
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/160s, 24mm, f/11, ISO 100

Evening at Disney Springs

Posted by Mike on

Disney Springs, Walt Disney World

Well, I’m on another of my pilgrimages to Walt Disney World. I arrived late Saturday afternoon in Orlando and was to my hotel by 5:30pm. I dropped everything off in my room, grabbed the camera and headed out to Disney Springs (shopping/eating/entertainment). I was looking to capture a few sunset images and maybe a couple of atmosphere views after the sun went down and the place lit up for the night.

As I worked my way around through the Saturday evening crowds I was drawn to Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ venue. It looked busy and me without a reservation, but I was lucky enough to score a seat at the bar. Hot damn! Good food! I’m already thinking I need to find a way to go back before my trip is over… LOL

Anyway, back to images. Quick Florida showers had rolled through the area before my arrival and the clouds hung around long enough to provide a little drama for my sunsets. The first image is a panoramic view of Lake Buena Vista. I used eight images to create this view.

Lake Buena Vista
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S, 1/20s, f/11, ISO 100 {8 image pano}

The next two images of opposite views from the Marketplace area. You’ll notice the first includes Ghirardelli because I’m a chocoholic! The second has the Lego store since I’m still basically a kid.

Marketplace East
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S, 0.4s, f/11, ISO 100

Marketplace West
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S, 1/5s, f/8, ISO 100

I had a really good time in spite of the crowds. I hadn’t planned on going back to Disney Springs this trip but it wouldn’t be hard to convince me to go. I’m thinking before the week is up I’ll be back in the tick of it, running around with my camera and looking for more great food.

Silhouette Slinky

Posted by Mike on

Toy Story Land, Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World

Silhouette Slinky
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/800s, 15mm, f/8, ISO 200

Stoic

Posted by Mike on

Wordless Wednesday
Riverside Park, Indialantic, FL

Stoic
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/500s, 50mm, f/5.6, ISO 100

Blues Interrupted

Posted by Mike on

Cocoa Beach Pier, Cocoa Beach, Florida

Passing By
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 5s, 15mm, f/11, ISO 100

Autumn Beginnings

Posted by Mike on

Delta Lake State Park

Yesterday was the second photo walk with the group from work. I know! What a day to do the walk. Up here in Central NY it was 91 degrees and humid. To add to our pain, we chose to go to Delta Lake State Park which was defended quite well from intruders by mosquito squads. Needless to say, the walk was not as long as the first one.

Again, I was focused on communication, or maybe it is more correct to say, I didn’t stop talking long enough to capture images during the walk. I did stop at the entrance to capture a few images of the late afternoon light on the trees around the pond. I spoke about this location on the walk and it didn’t disappoint as I was leaving the park.

Light on the Pond
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/100s, 24mm, f/11, ISO 100

Waiting on Sunset
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/125s, 24mm, f/11, ISO 100

Autumn Beginnings
Nikon Z6 II, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, 1/80s, 24mm, f/11, ISO 100

Midday Temple

Posted by Mike on

Wordless Wednesday
Temple of Heaven, China Pavilion
World Showcase, Epcot, Walt Disney World

Midday Temple
Olympus E-M1 MK III, M. Zuiko 12-100mm f/4, 1/200s, 12mm, f/11, ISO 200