Home > Scrapbook Hints and Tips: Photography and Videotaping
Scrapbook Hints and Tips: Photography and Videotaping
Rick Chase
DRCCACHETS@aol.com
has written detailed suggestions and
comments about how to capture excellent photographs and video during a
vacation
trip. I include his comments here in summarized form:
Planning (and Packing) for Good Results
A little bit of planning can make a big difference in your
WDW (or any vacation) photos and videos. As a professional newspaper staff
photographer with over 20 years of experience ( you can use the fancy term
"photojournalist" if you want ), I probably over plan this part
of the trip. But, here are a few tips that might be good to consider.
Be sure you camera is in good working order before you go.
If you have not removed the film from last Christmas yet, shoot it up and
get it processed before you go. If it is empty, shoot a 12 exposure roll
and get it processed. That way you know the camera is in good working
order.
Take along extra batteries for everything. This includes
camera batteries, flash batteries or video batteries. Most battery styles
are available in Florida, but some cameras require unusual sizes. Better
to carry an extra one than to be running to every convenience shop looking
for an odd-sized battery.
If you need a recharger for anything, pack it. If you need
cords for chargers, AC operation, flashes, etc., pack them, too. Don't
forget plug adapters if you are coming in from overseas.
Now all of this seems pretty basic, but stick a list on
the refrigerator. Write down things and cross them off as you pack.
Here is what I carried on our trip. (Note that this
section may not be of interest to many of you, but if you have C41
chemicals running in your blood stream, it may be useful ):
- At work I travel around with enough equipment to
overthrow a small country. This is compounded even further in that I
shoot film part of the time and digitally (basically a computer
camera) at other times. So, this sometimes involves two full sets of
equipment So, when I travel on vacation, I want to travel light enough
that I don't have to hire somebody to carry around the cameras. We
also borrowed a video camera for the trip.
- I used a small Domke bag and took along two camera
bodies (one for a backup or faster film). I'd stick with something
small like a Nikon N90 or 8008 or a smaller Canon EOS body (or similar
size in another brand) since they are smaller than a F4S or an EOS1N.
- I really don't think you need a lot of longer lenses
for most WDW and Universal Studios pictures, although the longer ones
came in handy at Sea World and Kennedy Space Center. I crammed a 24mm
F/2.8; a 35-70mm zoom F/2.8; a 80-200mm F/2.8 and a 300mm F/4 lens
into the bag. Most days I left the 2 longer lenses back at the hotel
or in the trunk.
- I took along one strobe that was used mostly for
outdoor fill flash. It also came in handy at the character meals for
the shots of the family with the characters. Do not use flash during
rides or shows.
- One accessory most people don't consider is a tripod.
I have a small, 25-year old Leitz tabletop tripod with large ball head
that breaks down into two pieces for easy storage. This allows you to
use a table, fence, trash bin or even a wall as a solid base for night
shots or some inside shooting as well as video. While this is a little
expensive, I have seen models that are both small and economical. It
came in handy for Illuminations, Spectromagic and some night time
exposures.
- I also recommend a polarizing filter if your camera
can handle one. If you have lenses with different sized filter
requirements, get a polarizer to fit the largest lens and adapter
rings for the other lenses. That saves a lot of bucks and allows you
to use one filter on all lenses.
- I also took extra 4-packs of "AA" batteries
with me as all cameras and the flash took them. I also tossed in an
off-camera cord for the flash and carried a notebook and a couple of
pens so I could jot down wait times and meal notes. Even if you do not
plan on writing an article, your notes come in handy as "memory
joggers."
- The video camera was a Sony 8mm. It was a little
larger than the true "palm-sized" units, but it was really
compact and easy to use. My wife normally carried that in a school
backpack along with an extra battery, an extra tape and the
sweatshirts.
- This Sony handled all of the lighting situations
pretty well, including some demanding nighttime shots like the
Spectromagic Parade. I did wish the camera had a manual focus option
since the auto focus tended to drift on nighttime shots with a lot of
spectral highlights (like Spectromagic and Illuminations).
- I almost forgot..... I took along all color negative
film. We use Fuji at work. Since we computer scan the color negs for
the newspaper, the experts in that area of the operation feel that the
Fuji films scan better for our setup.
- So, I took along Fuji 100, 400 and 800 color films and
also shot some Kodak. I have nothing against any particular brands and
have used them all. However, I'd stick to the big names like Kodak,
Fuji and Afga, etc. For the video camera I had both Sony and some Fuji
videotapes.
Back to top
Back to Scrapbook Hints & Tips
Film
Sure, they sell film in Florida. Most attractions sell
only Kodak film in limited formats and sizes. Some video formats may not
be easily found. If you have specific preferences, you should stock up
before you leave. A general rule of thumb is to take twice as much film or
videotape as you think you'll need. You can always use it later.
If you are traveling by air, you will pass through airport
security areas both heading to Florida and returning home. The signs say
that any "lower speed" film will not be effected by the scanning
devices. This may or may not be true. But, the effects on film are
cumulative. One pass may not hurt, but 4-6 passes may effect it.
If you are a foreign traveler, doses will be higher. A
colleague who was on a trip to Japan had all of his film effected by the
scans. He did not take any precautions or request hand checks.
You are allowed to ask for hand searches at the
checkpoints. Just to be safe, put all of your film in a Ziploc bag (take
film out of boxes and keep in plastic cans to conserve space). You can
hand the baggies to the agents while you pass your carry-ons through the
machines.
I take the extra precautions of putting the baggies of
film into special "Film Shield" bags available at any full
service camera store for around $13.95. They hold around 20 rolls of 35mm
film or a combination of film and tapes. So, if you get an attendant who
insists on a scan, the film inside will still be safe.
Somebody on the r.a.d. boards recently noted that they
always process their film before they return home. This is a good option.
WDW offers 2-hour processing for color negative films. You can drop off
film at the parks or send film from your WDW resort. As far as I know,
they only handle color neg film.
You will want to consider taking along some higher speed
films for inside attractions and night shooting if your camera allows it.
Remember that "flash photography" is not allowed on almost ALL
inside attractions and rides. Be courteous and follow the rules, please. I
repeat, please follow the rules. It's a common courtesy.
As a side note, you are allowed to videotape some
attractions (no camera lights allowed), but please stay seated. Do not do
a running narrative during a show or ride. You won't believe what some
people do to annoy those sitting near them.
Back to top
Back to Scrapbook Hints & Tips
Results, Comments, Suggestions
I found that the setup with the two cameras, two shorter
lenses, strobe, polarizer and a few rolls of film worked very well. The
bag was pretty light and allowed room for my notebook and the Unofficial
WDW Guidebook. I had no problems getting on and off rides with the bag. It
either rode on my lap or on the floor under my legs.
When we went to Sea World, I added the 80-200 zoom. The
bag was a little heavier, but I did use the lens. At KSC, I took the 300mm
on the bus tour, and it was needed for launch site shots. But, then I left
a couple things in the car trunk to conserve weight.
Speaking of cars, please do not leave your cameras and
film inside on the dash in the sun for six or eight hours. The heat will
really effect your film and may even turn your stuff into shimmering
masses of molten plastic. If you have to leave things in the car, park in
a shaded spot and leave in trunk or under a seat so it will be out of the
direct sun and maybe even crack a window. Some people even carry a small
cooler that will hold these supplies in the car.
For more photo tips, you might check out a few booklets
published by Kodak and others that deal with people photos, vacations pics
and available light photography. They used to cost around $4-6.00 and are
available at a full service camera stores. They also make good reading for
airplane rides.
Back to top
Back to Scrapbook Hints & Tips
Additional Comments from the Second Trip
For the still photo equipment I wanted to travel light but
have everything I would need. My longer lenses were not needed in the
parks last year (I used them only for KSC and Sea World). I took a small
Domke camera bag and packed two camera bodies (a Nikon N90 and 8008 since
they were smaller). Sure, I wanted to take the Canon EOS1N-based digital
camera system from work, but let's be realistic here, folks.
For lenses I picked my 24mm F/2.8 and 35-70 F/2.8 zoom. At
the last minute I tossed my 80-200mm F/2.8 into one of the suitcases. I
took along a polarizing filter for those great saturated colors and
Florida skies, a filter adapter ring so one filter would fit on all of my
lenses, my small Leitz tabletop tripod that breaks down into two pieces
for the camera bag (great for both video and stills), extra batteries and
chargers for everything, and a small Mini-Maglight flashlight. For a flash
I prefer my Nikon SB units for an on-camera flash, but both of them needed
to go in for broken hot shoes. So, I took along a Vivitar 285. I normally
use several of these as slave units (lights that are used for extra
location lighting), and they are very reliable units.
I also took along a few rolls of the new Kodak Multi-Speed
color neg film that can be used from ASA 200 up to 1,000 on the same roll
with no processing differences. We tested a batch several months ago at
work. If you put it in a camera with auto DX coding, it sets the ASA at
640. I am not sure about availability, but you might want to check it out
.The advantage is that you can run in and out of attractions and change
your ASA (if you camera allows) to fit the lighting conditions.
By the way, I tend to stay away from the 1000 and 1600
films as I still think they are too grainy. They have improved vastly over
the past few years, but I like the Fuji 800 for a faster film and push it
for extra film speed.
Back to top
Back to Scrapbook Hints & Tips