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What equipment/software do Disney photographers use?
- Thread starter BAD311
- Start date
Gig 'Em Mickey
Well-Known Member
The photographers (photopass photographers) in the park use a nikon camera and I would imagine custom software. Not sure who the developer would be but I'm sure it's a custom system designed to meet disney's requirements. As for the dinner pictures search for something like the Kodak Digital Event System. Comes with the screens, printers, software etc.
thecompman
Member
The photopass CM's use Nikon cameras attached to a Symbol MC50 handheld scanner. It's a Pocket PC device that has a barcode scanner built in and Wi-Fi capabilities. However, as stated above the cable and software that makes the whole system work is custom programmed by Disney.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
Nikon D70. Custom software.
There are lots of event fulfillment software packages that are on the market that you can buy that will do exactly what you want to do. I do not know of any off the top of my head because i work as an editorial/documentary/sports photographer.
There are lots of event fulfillment software packages that are on the market that you can buy that will do exactly what you want to do. I do not know of any off the top of my head because i work as an editorial/documentary/sports photographer.
The Disney scanners don't work with credit cards. The way (I think) it works is that each camera has a large amount of storage. Every time a picture is taken it is stored on the camera with a unique id / filename (just like your home digital camera). When a photopass card is scanned it simply references the filename(s) to the id on the card.
When the camera returns to a docking station, the images and the data scanned is combined to create your own photo library.
From a software point of view, it's not that difficult and there are plenty of ways to do it. Combining it with the hardware etc would be the tricky bit.
When the camera returns to a docking station, the images and the data scanned is combined to create your own photo library.
From a software point of view, it's not that difficult and there are plenty of ways to do it. Combining it with the hardware etc would be the tricky bit.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
Not quite but similar.
Disney's fulfillment software tags the photos that they just shot with a code thats unique to the photopass card.
Guests then retrieve those photos either online or in-person and then review and decide if they want to buy.
Now it is possible to do exactly what you said, with their handheld credit card units but thats generally only seen with outdoor foods.
The entire system is encrypted wi-fi.
Like i said before, there are a bunch of Event Fulfillment Software packages on the market. I just don't do event photography. (I much prefer putting remote cameras in catwalks 80 feet above a basketball court.)
Those Symbol machines do ton of stuff if you know basic programing. Go to their site, (now motorola) and see all the different accessories they have, credit card swap is one of them but I guess you need the software and security for it, you can even transfer over GSM phone signal, Wifi, etc...
We use this type of equipment where I work and they are quite flexible in configuration. Be careful because each machine looks the same but they are different inside and have different model numbers MC50 xxxxx . For example the Disney machines read 2D bar codes while other only read 1D bar codes (bars).
You basically have a computer next to you, saving files, transfering them to a server off site, etc...
J
We use this type of equipment where I work and they are quite flexible in configuration. Be careful because each machine looks the same but they are different inside and have different model numbers MC50 xxxxx . For example the Disney machines read 2D bar codes while other only read 1D bar codes (bars).
You basically have a computer next to you, saving files, transfering them to a server off site, etc...
J
Gorjus
Well-Known Member
I deal with this technology on a daily basis. Shoot, I look at that PDA 500 times a day and I can't remember who made the PDA, but if you said it, I would remember it.
Here is how it works: The camera is a Nikon D70 or D70S. It actually has very little memory in it because it doesn't need a lot. The second the photo is taken, it is sucked off the camera onto the PDA(personal digital device). There, a lot of information is attached to it: Who took the photo, the date & time the photo was taken, the park the photo was taken at, the location in the park the photo was taken at, the character the photo was taken with, the magic photo effect to be added to the photo, and finally, when we scan the card, the number of the photopass card that the photo should be attached to. It is then instantly transported wirelessly to any camera center at any park.
This is all provided that all technology is working as intended at the time. Many is the day that any and all things go wrong.
As for Dining photography, while the same equipment is used, the process is different. By going through a bunch of error messages and photographing the seating ticket, we send the photos to some photographers cooped up in a little room with a computer and some printers. They immediately decide which photo is best and print it.
Our computer reviewing software and our printer software is a whole nother issue. I can't even begin to explain it other than to say that is has been geared to what Disney has to offer as well as linked up to its merchandise system for paying as well.
I trust that was sufficiently confusing.
Here is how it works: The camera is a Nikon D70 or D70S. It actually has very little memory in it because it doesn't need a lot. The second the photo is taken, it is sucked off the camera onto the PDA(personal digital device). There, a lot of information is attached to it: Who took the photo, the date & time the photo was taken, the park the photo was taken at, the location in the park the photo was taken at, the character the photo was taken with, the magic photo effect to be added to the photo, and finally, when we scan the card, the number of the photopass card that the photo should be attached to. It is then instantly transported wirelessly to any camera center at any park.
This is all provided that all technology is working as intended at the time. Many is the day that any and all things go wrong.
As for Dining photography, while the same equipment is used, the process is different. By going through a bunch of error messages and photographing the seating ticket, we send the photos to some photographers cooped up in a little room with a computer and some printers. They immediately decide which photo is best and print it.
Our computer reviewing software and our printer software is a whole nother issue. I can't even begin to explain it other than to say that is has been geared to what Disney has to offer as well as linked up to its merchandise system for paying as well.
I trust that was sufficiently confusing.
Tom
Beta Return
Wow, are the photos really uploaded to the servers live? My buddy and I have been trying to figure out how the process worked for a few years :lol:
Sometimes, it will take an entire day for our photos to populate on our accounts, but I'm sure that's because of network traffic and equipment outages. Like you said, technology fails often. We just thought that maybe several photos would pool up on the PocketPC and then bath upload every hour or perhaps more frequent.
I have another technical question: are PhotoPass photos reviewed or screened by anyone? I can't imagine that there are enough humans in the world to screen all the PP photos being taken, but I thought I'd ask. I know they screen on-ride photos for inappropriate behavior, but I presume they trust the PP Photogs to only take appropriate shots, right?
Gorjus
Well-Known Member
All photos are reviewed by a department called QA (quality assurance). They are the same ones that do Test Track. That is why your photos can be seen in a camera center instantly, but to be viewed online takes about 24 hours. Once you see it online, it can be bought. If you see it at a camera center, a photographer can refuse to sell you a photo if it is deemed inappropriate.
While they do their best to delete inappropriate photos, occaisionally they miss one or two.
And as for photographers taking an appropriate photo; some photos are inadvertantly inappropriate at the last second.
Tom
Beta Return
All photos are reviewed by a department called QA (quality assurance). They are the same ones that do Test Track. That is why your photos can be seen in a camera center instantly, but to be viewed online takes about 24 hours. Once you see it online, it can be bought. If you see it at a camera center, a photographer can refuse to sell you a photo if it is deemed inappropriate.
While they do their best to delete inappropriate photos, occaisionally they miss one or two.
Wow again. How many people does it take to review all the PP photos taken in a day? Do they work through the night too? I mean, even if they had one reviewer per active photographer, that would be hundreds of people reviewing pics constantly. Amazing feat.
I guess I didn't think that people could turn inappropriate at the last second, but that makes sense. Or, someone in the background could be doing something that the photog didn't see live.
I just can't imagine reviewing all the PP pics. Wow.
Gorjus
Well-Known Member
To be honest, I don't know the answer to how many people. In the past, when I've walked be the room where they do it, I've seen 5 people in there. But there may be other rooms. They also occaisionally employ coordinators and managers at the parks to chip in when necessary. It can be done from any computer in the parks. They cover Florida and California.
Not everyone intends to be inappropriate. For example, I took a photo of an action. However, later, when reviewing my photos, I noticed that a person in the foreground of the photo had bent over in an attempt to not be in the picture. However, all they accomplished was to provide a poster for the campaign "Just Say No To Crack", if you get my meaning. Another time, at the very second a photo was taken, a 5 year old boy looked right down the center of Belle's yellow dress. The first example was deleted by QA, the second was missed by them and thus made it through.
Their job is enormous. Not only do they review the photos for innappropriate things, but they have to add all the magic to the magic photos, they have to put a tag on photos that are exceptionally good or unique (a task they often don't do well on, probably because of the enormity of their other duties), and fix any obvious deficiencies in the photographer's ability to compose a good photo.
I don't think they work through the night, but I could be wrong. They do however work as late as the latest park is open.
Not everyone intends to be inappropriate. For example, I took a photo of an action. However, later, when reviewing my photos, I noticed that a person in the foreground of the photo had bent over in an attempt to not be in the picture. However, all they accomplished was to provide a poster for the campaign "Just Say No To Crack", if you get my meaning. Another time, at the very second a photo was taken, a 5 year old boy looked right down the center of Belle's yellow dress. The first example was deleted by QA, the second was missed by them and thus made it through.
Their job is enormous. Not only do they review the photos for innappropriate things, but they have to add all the magic to the magic photos, they have to put a tag on photos that are exceptionally good or unique (a task they often don't do well on, probably because of the enormity of their other duties), and fix any obvious deficiencies in the photographer's ability to compose a good photo.
I don't think they work through the night, but I could be wrong. They do however work as late as the latest park is open.
Tom
Beta Return
That's just amazing.
Funny about the two examples of nixed shots. I see what you mean. And smart 5-year-old :lol:
So they manually add the magical graphics to those photos? I thought the photog hit some code on their PocketPC that told the system to put the graphic in. Sheesh.
Speaking of photos that are "exceptionally good" I think our party was tagged for that. We just completed sending our model releases into Disney Photo Imaging so that they can use ours from October and January on the PP website and at kiosks. Pretty cool.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
I think the original poster is trying to do event photography ala the way Photopass works.
Yes, correct, sorry for such a long delay in response! Yes, figuring out the MOST AFFORDABLE and EASIEST method of doing something like this, is what I'm trying to do. I want to possibly employ it at sporting events. Say there is a cheerleading competition in Atlanta, I want to take photos of ALL the folks there, cheerleaders COMPETING, and then the cheerleaders families in group shots. Give them a card or pass that has their photo info on it, and when they supply it to the appropriate person, they can instantly view their shots on a monitor. Pick our their favorites, pick out the size they want, and any other special graphics "CHEERLEADING COMP 2009" or "CHEERLEADING ROCKS"
Cheerleading is just an example. I figure with an event featuring thousands of people, and doing a similiar system it could be profitable, easy, and produce great results leaving a happy customer to spread the word about your business ON-SITE.
Cheerleading is just an example. I figure with an event featuring thousands of people, and doing a similiar system it could be profitable, easy, and produce great results leaving a happy customer to spread the word about your business ON-SITE.
KeithVH
Well-Known Member
I would dissuade you from trying to deploy such a complex system. That's an upfront cost you'll have to recoup. And you're really missing the most important piece - how to uniquely identify individual orders. Disney can suck up the cost of losing Pp cards by the hundreds, if not thousands - can you afford to do that?
Here's how many shooters handle this now. One PC system for transactions and printing, one system for processing and moving images from card to system, and a cheap desktop to run a continuous slideshow of the work you're doing that day to adevrtise as people walk by. You set up a table somewhere. While you are shooting, someone is manning the table to take orders right there and print. They order by selecting the items right from a screen ("I want that one, it's my kid"), they get printed and pay and walk away. Requires you group shots, most likely by area or time for easier selection.
You need a boatload of storage, both on camera and in system. At least 2 printers. At least two cameras. What do you do if you only have one of each and it fails? This solution requires no custom software. But you also really need a third person as a runner so they can shuttle cards back to the table while you continue to shoot so you don't miss the kid whose parents really want that shot.
You should really hang on DPReview or Photo.Net and people will be more than happy to discuss what they're doing. Assuming you're a good enough shooter, and have the right equipment, you could probably get into this (from scratch) for $7-10K. Consumables will be the biggest pain though (ink and paper).
One thing to consider (although I do dislike being negative). Event shooting in many places is locked down any more. The days of anyone just walking into any venue and setting up shop can be difficult. Many times the sponsoring org will pre-contract with somebody who will get EXCLSUIVE rights to shoot the event. Largely because the event organizers get a cut of the shooter's profits (or at least an up front fee). You and I would call it a kickback but it is legal in these cases.
I would just suggest some careful research on the photo boards to help you fill out your business plan (yes, I have done this in the past, in the days of film). It can be done and money can be made with good thought and planning.
Here's how many shooters handle this now. One PC system for transactions and printing, one system for processing and moving images from card to system, and a cheap desktop to run a continuous slideshow of the work you're doing that day to adevrtise as people walk by. You set up a table somewhere. While you are shooting, someone is manning the table to take orders right there and print. They order by selecting the items right from a screen ("I want that one, it's my kid"), they get printed and pay and walk away. Requires you group shots, most likely by area or time for easier selection.
You need a boatload of storage, both on camera and in system. At least 2 printers. At least two cameras. What do you do if you only have one of each and it fails? This solution requires no custom software. But you also really need a third person as a runner so they can shuttle cards back to the table while you continue to shoot so you don't miss the kid whose parents really want that shot.
You should really hang on DPReview or Photo.Net and people will be more than happy to discuss what they're doing. Assuming you're a good enough shooter, and have the right equipment, you could probably get into this (from scratch) for $7-10K. Consumables will be the biggest pain though (ink and paper).
One thing to consider (although I do dislike being negative). Event shooting in many places is locked down any more. The days of anyone just walking into any venue and setting up shop can be difficult. Many times the sponsoring org will pre-contract with somebody who will get EXCLSUIVE rights to shoot the event. Largely because the event organizers get a cut of the shooter's profits (or at least an up front fee). You and I would call it a kickback but it is legal in these cases.
I would just suggest some careful research on the photo boards to help you fill out your business plan (yes, I have done this in the past, in the days of film). It can be done and money can be made with good thought and planning.
Gorjus
Well-Known Member
Photopass isn't the system for you. For some types of photography, we have trouble with it. IE: Bands before parades, Family Fun Day Parade, Princess Procession. A ton of people and we have no idea who belongs to who. So we just shoot everything on to one card. It is now the guests responsibility to come and look at all the photos taken for that event and try to identify which are theirs. We then add only those photos to their card. In some smaller events, everyone gets everyone's photos.