Tag Archives: walt disney world

Flower & Garden Festival

Posted by Mike on

Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

As the start of this years Flower & Garden Festival approaches my anticipation for a return grows. I was going to be in Florida at the end of January but events changed and now it looks like I might be going in the middle of March. This works out for the best for me. The festival runs from March 2nd until May 30th this year. If I play my cards right I could possibly visit it twice.

After a weekend of posting nothing but black & white images I thought I would give everyone a break and post something with a little color. I was also looking for an image that I could use to play with some new software. I have been a user of Topaz Labs software from the beginning of this photography journey and recently I had an opportunity to finish out my collection with a few of their new products. I used the Glow plug-in on this image of the festival center (the old Wonders of Life Pavilion).

Topaz Glow can be used to paint your image with neon/electrifying light. Used to the extreme you can completely change the look of your image. But when used subtly, you can enhance an image and give it just a little pop.  I loved the colors of the flowers in the foreground.  Having the trees frame the pavilion help it compete with the flowers.  The lines formed by the railings and the edge of the flowers draw the eye from the colorful foreground back to the golden dome of the pavilion.

 

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Flower and Garden Festival

Flower & Garden Festival
Nikon D7100, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4, 1/200s, 19mm, f/11, ISO 200

Star Wars Odd Couple

Posted by Mike on

Wordless Wednesday
Star Tours, Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World

MLCreations Photography: Hollywood Studios &emdash; Star Wars ODd Couple

Star Wars’ Odd Couple
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 25mm f/1.8, 1/25s, f/1.8, ISO 1600

Stopping Time

Posted by Mike on

Monorail Monday
Future World, Epcot, Walt Disney World

Every image is really about stopping time but some images show it more than others. This image especially conveys that stoppage due to the reverse waterfall and the frozen in time look. Normally I like my waterfalls looking smooth but this was captured before I had filters for my Olympus lenses.

 

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Stopping Time

Stopping Time
Olympus OM-D E-M10, M. Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R, 1/400s, 14mm, f/10, ISO 200

Impressions of Canada

Posted by Mike on

Wordless Wednesday
Victoria Gardens, Canada Pavilion, Epcot

MLCreations Photography: Blog Post Related &emdash; Impressions of Canada

Impressions of Canada
Olympus OM-S E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/80s, 17mm, f/8, ISO 200

Morning on Route 66

Posted by Mike on

Radiator Springs Area, Art of Animation Resort,
Walt Disney World

When I was on vacation in December we spent two days over at Walt Disney World (shocker, I know!). Rather than drive back to the east coast of Florida it was better to get a room on property which would also allow us easier entry into another park. As luck would have it an Annual Passholder discount was available so I quickly booked a room at the Pop Century Resort.

I personally enjoy staying at Pop Century when I can not use my DVC points. Not only is the resort full of photographic opportunities it is just a walk across a bridge to the Art of Animation Resort. One of my favorite areas at this resort is the Radiator Springs area. You can walk Route 66 and see all the characters from the Cars movie.

On the morning of our second day I woke early to capture some sunrise images. I didn’t bring my tripod on this trip to Disney (planned attempt at traveling light). So I knew I would be pushing my ISO rather high to capture the early morning light. For this image I was at ISO 1600 which will leave a little image noise even with the best noise reduction software.

I really liked the sky over the Cozy Cone Motel and the meandering path of Route 66 into the image. I got low to the ground (OK, sitting on it) to enhance the effect of the road leading in.  The Motel sign actually spins so I had to time the capture just right.  Also, due to the rotation I wanted to minimize any motion blur which prompted me to lower the aperture to f/2 in order to get a 1/500s shutter speed.  Overall, I like how this one turned out.

MLCreations Photography: Around WDW &emdash; Morning on Route 66

Morning on Route 66
Olympus OM-D E-M1
M. Zuiko 25mm f/1.8, 1/500s, f/2, ISO 1600

Star Wars Reflection

Posted by Mike on

Monorail Monday
Future World, Epcot, Walt Disney World

I’m back to another Disney image but it is for a specific reason. Monday’s are known as Monorail Mondays to a lot of us Disney photographers. Since standing around waiting for a monorail to pass by my chosen location is actually one of those activities I enjoy while at WDW, I thought it appropriate to post another contribution.

I really love the area of Future World in Epcot over near The Land and The Living Seas (I know, I should be calling it The Seas with Nemo & Friends but I like the previous name) pavilions. There are always beautiful flowers growing in the planters and the abundance of water allows for great monorail reflections. Plus, due to the taller trees I can also find a spot in the shade to wait for the next monorail.

This image is utilizing one of those pools to grab a reflection of the monorail as it heads toward the Epcot station. Spaceship Earth can be seen in the background and in my opinion that is always a plus for my monorail images. The cool part of any monorail image is due to the configuration there is a ‘front’ on both ends so unless you know the route even a receding monorail looks like it is coming into view. 🙂

MLCreations Photography: Epcot &emdash; Star Wars Reflection

Star Wars Reflection
Olympus OM-D E-M1, M. Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8, 1/320s, 17mm, f/9.1, ISO 400