Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

With all the images I have captured in Walt Disney World, I do not believe I have one that captures the Partners statue in the Magic Kingdom to my liking. I have tried! It is typically a crowded location with Photopass opportunities and everyone trying to include the statue in their pic.

The morning of early entry into the park did afford me a great opportunity to grab the statue in front of the illuminated castle minutes before sunrise. The sky was starting to lighten but the lights still highlighted the statue. A big bonus for me was there were no people crowded around to worry about. I know on my next visit I will be looking for another early morning in the park.

Partners
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 2s, 28mm, f/8, ISO 200

Expedition Everest, Asia, Animal Kingdom

Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

When I was in Walt Disney World in October my most anticipated day was the Friday I was going to the Magic Kingdom once I realized it opened early and I would be in the park about thirty minutes before sunrise. I had visions of the sunrise over the castle as I stand on the bridge between the hub and Liberty Square. I’ve seen other photographer’s images of this view and I was excited to get my own version. It did not matter to me how early I would need to get up in order to be at the park for that opening.

It was a small shot to my overall mood to discover as I arrived at the park that an early morning fog had settled over my kingdom. I was a little upset but I can only complain slightly as the conditions did allow for one of my favorite castle pictures to date (Pre-Dawn Cindy). Another blow to my mood once I had captured this colorful front view of the castle was the realization that the bridge to Liberty Square was not open during the extra magic hour which granted me this pre-dawn access. Even though I might have been missing out on my castle sunrise due to the fog I thought a good consolation prize would be a reflected view of the colorful castle.

Not to be a big pouting baby, I ran around the park grabbing as many images as I could before sunrise. Eventually the sun managed to burn through the fog and by the normal park opening the bridge into Liberty Square was open. I was able to grab an image of the castle, not the one I envisioned but I think I made it work for me…

Mornin’ Cindy
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, {1/40, 1/80 & 1/200s bracket}, 12mm, f/16, ISO 200

Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest, China Pavilion, Epcot

I’ve mentioned before how much I enjoy photographing around World Showcase in Epcot at night. One of my favorite areas is the China Pavilion. The architecture and colors really pull my attention to this pavilion at all times during the day. But as soon as the sun goes down and the lights come on I am drawn even more to capture images within this beautifully detailed area.

This image is another result of me goofing up. I am not entirely positive what I did but I obviously moved the camera during this six second exposure. What fascinates me about this image is the area of clear, undisturbed focus in the bottom third of the image. I love the fact there is an individual standing at the entrance contemplating entering. Especially this week, this image represents a search for that calming center as the chaos still churns around me. It doesn’t hurt that this building is a representation of a Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest…

Centered Calm
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 6s, 12mm, f/5.6, ISO 400