Digital Camera Photography Questions

[kevlightyear]

Ok, all you experts out there, I have some questions and concerns I'd like settled before I go to WDW, if it's not too much trouble. (I'm leaving the 25th!)

1) Does anyone have any really good tips for shooting fireworks? Not just fireworks acually, things like Fantasmic as well. I know I should use a low shutter speed. I have a setting on my Sony CyberShot called "nightshot" I'm pretty sure all it does is lower the shutter speed. Whenever I use it, though, I have to keep the camera very still to prevent blur. Is there any way to get around that?

2) What does anybody know about a "digital wallet"? My mom is thinking about buying one to store my pictures on (since there's only so much room on one of those memory sticks) instead of bringing the laptop. There might have been a discrepancy as to wether or not it takes memory sticks. Does anybody even know what I'm talking about?

3) Somebody mentioned earlier that one could go to the Kodak shop in Epcot and get pictures transferred to a disk, so that you could free up your memory sticks. Can anyone confirm that. Also, considering the pictures my camera takes can be 1.5 MB in size, is this even feasible for me?

4) My camera also has a setting for picture size. I can choose 2048 x 1536 or a modified 2048 that gives the picture a 3:2 size ratio ( I hope that's clear enough). Basically all the modified size is, is the regular 2048 x 1536 with parts of the top and bottom cut off. Here is my question. Do you guys think it is better to use the modified version for ease of printing(once we get a photo quality printer that is) or should I use the 'big' picture and later crop it using photoshop if needed? My mom is split between the two.

Thanks in advance for all the advice you guys can give. I really appreciate it.

 

[NowInc]

Lets see what i can answer::

The night shot issue::

A slower shutter speed means the more time the camera "looks" at the image before its completly saved..so the slower the speed..the greater the chance of blurring...not really any way around that...

As for your picture size issue...whichever one yields the best size to quality ratio...and you should always run all your photos thru photoshop to adjust levels and such..I have NEVER seen a "prefect picture" taken...everything needs SOME adjustment

 

[Main Street USA]

Ok, I can answer one of those for sure. Sony's Nightshot is not a good thing to use for a fireworks show. Mainly because of the loss of color, but also because Nightshot is only truly effective up to about 20 feet away.

Another major thing when shooting fireworks and shows like Fantasmic (anything at night with lighting effects, i.e. SpectroMagic, Main Street Electrical Parade) is DO NOT use a flash. It amazes me when I see people using a flash to light up something that is a light itself. Of course a quick shutter speed is also necessary for a good quality shot.

As far as the epcot thing goes, I would say its true, but for files that big it would be expensive, especially inside WDW.

And my advice on the pic size would be to take 'em big and crop 'em later. No regrets that way, and you really aren't saving much memory, if any, by using the other option.

Hope that helped a bit!

 

[hellokitty1]

REGARDING #2
THE SONY PICTURE BOOK IS SMALLER THAN (OR NEARLY)
THE DIGITAL WALLET AND YOU CAN LOOK ON UBID.COM
AND FIND ONE LESS THAN $1000. THEN YOU WOULD HAVE
THE LAPTOP USE AS WELL. ALOT OF THE WALLETS DONT TAKE
MEMORY STICK, SOME DO THOUGH. IF NOT YOU HAVE TO BUY A CONVERTER WHICH COULD RUN YOU $100.

SO THE WALLET MAY COST YOU $500 AFTER ALL IS SAID, I MIGHT
OPT FOR THE PICTURE BOOK? MAYBE SPILT THE COST.

#4
tAKE THE BIGGEST BEST QUALITY POSSIBLE AND CROP, QUALITY IS MUCH MORE IMPORTANT

#3
aS FOR TRANSFERRING TO FLOPPY DISK, IF IT IS 3 1/2 INCH DISK IT WOULD REQUIRE ONE DISK PER PICTURE (IF THE PICTURE WOULD EVEN FIT) THAT WOULD BE ALOT OF DISKs!!

#WE HAVE TAKEN PICTURES WITH OUR DIGITAL SONY CYBERSHOT
DSC-S85 IN REGULAR MODE AND THEY CAME OUT ~OK, WE a few here you can see (yes, they are blurry some, but we think it looks cool)
http://www.cartogra.com/imageboard/allphotoview.asp
WHEW, HOPE WE HELPED SOME?:wave:

 

[kevlightyear]

Well, a big thank you to you guys!

Now: What do you mean exactly by "size to quality ratio"?
hellokitty1: Your link didn't work for me, I think I need your member name.

Anyway, all of your thoughts did help a lot! Thanks!
I hadn't heard about a Sony Picture book, but I'll definitely look into it.

 

[NowInc]

Originally posted by kevlightyear
Well, a big thank you to you guys!

Now: What do you mean exactly by "size to quality ratio"?

Kinda like..which setting has the best file size but the best quality trade off...tho the best option is to just go with the biggest option available.

 

[zonguy]

Kev, it kind of sounds like you are describing Sony's F707. I have one of those too.

For fireworks, I decided to purchase the RMDR1 remote. I place the camera on a tripod, and using manual mode set the f.stop to 8, and shutter speed to around 1 second. I also force the camera to ISO 100 and set the color balance to daylight. The remote virtually eliminates any shake during the shot.

Once the fireworks start, I will keep an eye on the rear viewer, and adjust the f.stop and shutter speed as the program proceeds. For example, during the segment ROE where the fountains are the main focus, I will sometimes set the shutter towards 2 or more seconds and that gives some of the most beautiful images. Be careful that you don't set the shutter speed to too long, as the F707's noise processing will add a significant delay before you can take the next shot.

I have never found my F707 to do a good job during Fantasmic. Unlike shooting fireworks, where you're attempting capture motion, with Fantasmic you want to freeze the motion. The light levels through most of the show to not permit fast enough

The best you can do is set the ISO for 400, and make sure the f.stop is set to 2 using apature priority. Unfortunately an ISO setting of 400 will cause some digital noise, but it should not be too bad. You still need to use a tripod, since the shutter speed will be slow. (note: I suggest you wait until that last possible moment to set up your tripod, as CMs will express concern that it could be a hazard to fellow guests moving across the aisle.) In addition, try to get a close seat and leave the camera zoom set to wide. This keeps the iris open to the max setting, and you can always crop the image later to frame the subject.

Just for kicks, I will attach some samples of what I have taken with my F707.

 

[zonguy]

Pic 2

 

[zonguy]

Pic 3

 

[zonguy]

Pic 4

 

[zonguy]

Pic 5

 

[zonguy]

Pic 6

 

[zonguy]

Pic 7

 

[zonguy]

And a pic of the fountain in front of Kodak's pavilion

 

[hellokitty1]

awesome pictures

WOW, those are great photos!!
thanks for sharing:sohappy:

 

[wdwmagic]

Very nice work Zonguy!!!

 

[kevlightyear]

Wow, Zonguy, those pictures are fantastic!

Unfortunately, I do not have an F707. I have a DSC-P5. I would assume most of the features apply, but I'm lost when it comes to "f.stop." Also, I don't think I can change my shutter speed (or atleast I don't know how). Now of course, I could be wrong. You can bet I'll be checking my manual!

I agree with everyone that I should shoot big and adjust later. Plus, I like everyone's ideas when it comes to shooting at night. Thanks again!

 

[zonguy]

Originally posted by kevlightyear
Wow, Zonguy, those pictures are fantastic!

Unfortunately, I do not have an F707. I have a DSC-P5. I would assume most of the features apply, but I'm lost when it comes to "f.stop." Also, I don't think I can change my shutter speed (or atleast I don't know how). Now of course, I could be wrong. You can bet I'll be checking my manual!

I agree with everyone that I should shoot big and adjust later. Plus, I like everyone's ideas when it comes to shooting at night. Thanks again!

First, thanks to everyone for your kind words regarding the pictures I've posted.

Kev, my appologies for thinking you had a F707. I downloaded the DSC-P5's manual from Sony 's website to see if I could still be of help to you.

I was thrown by your reference to "nightshot". I believe the correct reference is "twilight". The twilight setting is used to set the camera to the slowest shutter speed, and also opens the iris to max by default. This results in brighter evening shots. The side effect though is that any motion is blurred. The term "nightshot" usually implies infra-red imaging, which is an option on Sony's camcorders, and also is a feature of the F707.

I did not see any direct control over the apature setting (aka f.stop, aka iris), or the shutter speed. I would suggest trying the twilight setting for fireworks, since that should slow the shutter speed enough to give you good results. Also, make sure you force the camera to iso 100, and set the white balance to outdoor. If your shots seem too dark, you may have better success with the 200 or 300 iso settings.

Earlier, I forgot to mention setting the camera's focus to infinity, since when shooting fireworks, there really is nothing for the autofocus to measure against. Most autofocus cameras will eventually focus to infinity, but you do not want to waste precious seconds waiting for the camera to decide what to do.

Lastly, your camera does not appear to support a remote. I still highly recommend a tripod, but you really need to be careful to avoid jiggling the camera during the shot. Before purchasing the remote fro my camera, I would exhale and hold, while pressing the shutter release. I also held the shutter button down until the camera started to record the image, to avoid unnecessary motion.

The most important advice I can offer is to practice, practice, practice. Don't expect every picture to come out perfect. For every "good" fireworks picture I have taken, I probably have dozens of horrible ones. Getting a "best" one is a rare occurance.

Best of luck!

 

[kevlightyear]

Originally posted by zonguy

I was thrown by your reference to "nightshot". I believe the correct reference is "twilight".

My mistake zonguy. You are correct, as I was reading my manual, I also noticed my flub. Nightshot is on our camcorder and I guess I got mixed up. Anyway, thanks for the advice.

On another note, everyone keeps talking about using a tripod, the tripod we have is kind of bulky and would be a nightmare to carry around. What does everyone think of a monopod, I noticed some where on the web somebody recommended it. Does anyone know where I could get one?

Thanks!

 

[zonguy]

I have both a monopod and a tripod. I find the monopod is not stable enough for long exposures (such as fireworks). While I agree that a tripod is bulky, I would suggest bringing it in your car and going back out to get it about an hour before.

I am kind of fanatical about getting good pics. I have been known to take my bulky camera case and all my accessory lenses and filters, monopod and tripod into the parks, and lug them around for several hours.

I even camped out at an excellent site for ROE for 3 hours, because the crowds get there about 1 hour before the show.

Can you say obsessed?