Flash photography + dark rides...

[Angus MacBadger]

I think the situation with Pirates has gotten really bad.

Three weeks ago (9/29). On the boat - two groups of two persons, and a large family taking up the first three rows. (I'm in the last row.) Woman in third row decides to take flash pictures pretty early on into the ride. So I figure, okay, one or two, whatever. And then she keeps taking them. And taking them. And taking them. Every scene - at least half a dozen flash pictures. No announcement. Keeps taking them. No announcement. Darkest scenes of the ride? POP POP POP goes the flashbulb. No announcement.

Me? I'm sitting in the back of the boat screaming at the woman to stop.

And how did I not end up getting physically assaulted because of my angry requests? I came down with bronchitis while at WDW, and had completely and totally lost my voice, so the only person who could hear me expressing how distracting and disruptive that woman was being was my sister next to me, who was cowering out of embarrassment and telling me that even announcements don't stop people like that.

 

[Joshua&CalebDad]

I take pictures ... lots of them, but learn how to photograph a dark ride people ... you don't need a strobe.

The last time we rode pirates I had a gal in front of me strobing as fast as her camera would recycle ... One time she even got me full in the face with it. I just looked at her and said please dont do that again ... which worked well because she kept doing it ... so I have a Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT ... it has enough power for a 200mm Zoom lens ... I grabbed it from my bag, turned it on and up ... and the next time she turned back twoards me I let her have it full power about 20 inches from her face.


Strange thing happened after that. She stopped taking pictures, and I was able to enjoy the rest of the ride in peace.

[bowing down] I am not worthy, I am not worthy. That is so awesome.

 

[Disneydreamer23]

I was on Haunted Mansion the people in front of me literally took 400 pictures during the ride I wonder Since cms warch why people that don't do that get in trouble

 

[ExtinctJenn]

I was at Pirates on Saturday and we were in line in the queue. A CM started announcing to everyone over the speakers both in the ride and in the queue that there was NO FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY allowed. He went on to say no flash in the ride OR the queue. He said to turn off your flash if you want to take a picture. I never heard them make a spontaneous announcement in the queue and especially not specifically mentioning no flash in the queue as well as the ride.

Now see this part doesn't make a ton of sense to me... in the queue I don't really see an issue. I guess in the case of POTC since the queue is inside and obviously infrared monitored that's probably the idea there.

My biggest thing about use of a flash is just that it usually doesn't give you a great shot anyway. It completely distorts the lighting intended for the scene and usually reflects off of something or brings to the forefront something that was dark and hidden otherwise. If you want to take on-ride shots so badly, turn off your flash, turn up your ISO, and you're good to go.

 

[Bob Saget]

I'm hearing the Mermaid ride in FLE is having some issues with flash mongers due to the attraction being so new, and everyone & their brother wanting 100+ pics taken of the ride.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I think the situation with Pirates has gotten really bad.

It's why when I last when on I did it first thing after rope drop. Had the whole place to myself and I assume was the first one to ride that day.

Did you say hello to George?

 

[Gt2BtheGoodLife]

I'm hearing the Mermaid ride in FLE is having some issues with flash mongers due to the attraction being so new, and everyone & their brother wanting 100+ pics taken of the ride.

Oh god, when I rode it last week, during the "Under the Sea" part... it was like a rave in there or something with all the flashes going off. yes, I admit, I took some too, but that was without my flash off (seriously, very few cell phone cameras have a good flash).

 

[Vader2112]

I like to have a nice picture like the next person but i refuse to live life through the lens of my camera on a ride it es me off when someone needs to take a picture every five seconds let alone a flash one.
My favorite was some idot shooting video of IASW using the light on the camera. I wanted to knock it into the water but just made the ride a little rougher. being 6'2" and built like a line backer has it's advantages.

 

[Vader2112]

Here is another "Great Moment in Flash Photography." The idiots who flash away during any of the Night time Shows/Fireworks.

 

[ExtinctJenn]

Here is another "Great Moment in Flash Photography." The idiots who flash away during any of the Night time Shows/Fireworks.

I'm usually strongly against the use of the word "idiot" to describe anyone but in this case I have to admit, DH and I honestly have had many laughs at people who do this. It's second only to the people (not idiots lol) who take flash pictures on Soarin' and wonder why all they get is a white screen.

 

[Vader2112]

Use of the word idiot in this case was being polite.. When I go WDW I have my mantra when I start to get annoyed or angry with another guest. This may be that persons first trip to WDW and it may be ther only once in a life time trip that they worked hard to obtain. It works the majority of the time...Love to people watch while at the World. I know people get annoyed or angry with me as I am a back pack toting, double stroller pusher, entitled AP holding resident...lol

 

[The Empress Lilly]

What does everyone think about rides that are stuck?

I took one of Little Leota after about five minutes. . I'd have done it sooner if I'd thought of it sooner. Now, when I'm stuck for more than a minute, I take a pic...if I'm stuck near anything worth snapping.

As far as I'm concerned, if the ride is stuck then it is stuck. After like, twenty seconds or so, snap away, with all the flash you want.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

I take pictures ... lots of them, but learn how to photograph a dark ride people ... you don't need a strobe.

The last time we rode pirates I had a gal in front of me strobing as fast as her camera would recycle ... One time she even got me full in the face with it. I just looked at her and said please dont do that again ... which worked well because she kept doing it ... so I have a Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT ... it has enough power for a 200mm Zoom lens ... I grabbed it from my bag, turned it on and up ... and the next time she turned back twoards me I let her have it full power about 20 inches from her face.


Strange thing happened after that. She stopped taking pictures, and I was able to enjoy the rest of the ride in peace.

Last time I rode Pirates, I was looking to my left, and the very loud girls left to me suddenly noticed 'Capitan Sparrow' to my right. Amidst the sudden deafening screaming, one of them flashed straight in my eyes. I was blinded for an entire scene. Wow. Now flashing is flashing, and it is annoying, but okay. But a flash straight in the face, at one foot distance...wow. I couldn't even see after that.
Man, I wanted to throw her overboard. Which of course, I didn't end up doing, because..well...you can't be the park police and you shouldn't etc etc.

So I'll have your story as my revenge instead. Awesome, well done.

 

[Bob Saget]

Oh god, when I rode it last week, during the "Under the Sea" part... it was like a rave in there or something with all the flashes going off.

One of my co-workers is there this week, and that was his main complaint of the new Mermaid attraction, how everyone seemed "camera happy", kinda taking away from the feel of the attraction (unless you're accustomed to the frequent meteor shower going off under the sea).

Here's a YouTube video of the Mermaid ride-thru. The constant surrounding camera flashing was insane, but I'm sure would be much more annoying in person, especially how it happens throughout most of the ride.

 

[luv]

I'm hearing the Mermaid ride in FLE is having some issues with flash mongers due to the attraction being so new, and everyone & their brother wanting 100+ pics taken of the ride.

The people in the clamshell next to mine just wouldn't stop. I so wanted to focus on the ride.

But, selfish, rude , trashy people who come up with the money can go into the parks just like the rest of us. Have to live with it.

First World Problem, I know.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Did you say hello to George?

I said hello to someone, but I didn't notice the name on the tag.

 

[ChrisFL]

Its odd, I've never had the problem while riding Haunted Mansion, but ALWAYS when riding Pirates.

I think Disney should make it prominent in their maps about the RULES for no flash photography and that security can escort them out of the park if they don't comply.

I realize this is difficult with 30-40 different languages being used by guests though.

 

[Victor Kelly]

It ain't in Klingon, means I can do it

Seriously though I prefer video, without a light.

 

[AGDLillyBelle]

I said hello to someone, but I didn't notice the name on the tag.

I'm pretty sure George doesn't wear a tag!
http://www.2719hyperion.com/2009/03/goodnight-george-ghost-story.html

 

[Animaniac93-98]

I'm pretty sure George doesn't wear a tag!
http://www.2719hyperion.com/2009/03/goodnight-george-ghost-story.html

In that case, no I did not see a George.