Your feelings on flash photography

[Laura]

I feel like Disney should produce a guide for people, like the parks maps, that give people the basics. This would give them better photos, and prevent them from annoying others. I notice that Kilimanjaro drivers now mention to use sport mode.

Sponsored by -- not Kodak.

 

[wdwmagic]

Sponsored by -- not Kodak.

Sponsored by WDWMAGIC LOL

 

[mollydtt]

Maybe if there is no one else on the ride, --but honestly, anyone flashing a camera during a "dark" ride is lighting up all of the areas that aren't supposed to be seen. One time, when my daughter and I were riding Spaceship Earth, someone 5 or 6 cars ahead of us took flash pictures constantly. I can honestly say that the big room where you are "supposed" to see the earth is pretty nasty looking.
I've taken a few pictures at night (Electrical parade, Wishes Fireworks, Illuminations) and just TURN OFF the flash option. The lights are supposed to be bright and you aren't really going to throw a flash far enough or powerfully enough to light up anything other than the people in front of you.
My camera is not professional quality, but I've taken pictures inside the Sci-Fi Diner and the Fiesta restaurant and NO FLASH. Maybe people just don't know how to turn the flash off.

 

[Laura]

Maybe if there is no one else on the ride, --but honestly, anyone flashing a camera during a "dark" ride is lighting up all of the areas that aren't supposed to be seen.

Exactly.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Taking a picture depends on how fit the tart is flashing. And if im in striking distance from the Ginger Ninja.

 

[Lucky]

Why do people need to take thousands of photos of the same damn thing anyway, when you can download a photo that in most cases is better quality?

 

[mollydtt]

Why do people need to take thousands of photos of the same damn thing anyway, when you can download a photo that in most cases is better quality?

That is so true. After my last trip, I spent time downloading many beautiful pictures that I could never have taken in a million years. I am planning on showing them to my parents---they've seen *my* pictures already, with friends and family included in the shots---but the really great ones I've gotten from these websites. I'd rather enjoy the show and not worry about trying to "capture the moment" when others, with exceptional video equipment have already done the work.

 

[Yirmin Snipe]

I normally don't bother to do any flash photography on dark rides, I've seen the results of those flash photos that people take and I find the photos to be pointless because you end up with photos showing how the effects were done and that ruins the magic.

I have however blasted back several rapid flashes my my strobe when some idiot on the pirates started blinding me with their little point and shoot... A bit of I will play by the rules, but if you start bothering me I will flash into your face so much you wont enjoy the ride either... vindictive? Yes... but I dare say the idiots usually get the point and stop.

 

[Yirmin Snipe]

It is beyond rude to use a flash on a dark ride. I do wish they would make more of a point telling people it is not allowed though. The announcement on Pirates, for example, is pretty quiet. And that ride is usually full of offenders.

Actually I used to remember hearing the announcement but don't recall it at all the last trip.

 

[rufio]

One time, when my daughter and I were riding Spaceship Earth, someone 5 or 6 cars ahead of us took flash pictures constantly. I can honestly say that the big room where you are "supposed" to see the earth is pretty nasty looking.

I would LOVE to see the rest of that big nasty room!

 

[joanna71985]

I hate flash photography with a passion!

 

[RedFurredCadet]

However it's not just ruining the experience of some attractions and dark rides. I recall during my final years of high school as an art student, when it came to the kinds of issues with art displayed in art galleries (off topic, but don't beat me to that part yet), and its accepted that certain types of artwork is vulnerable to light. To apply it, this could mean that the props and certain parts of the ride, attraction and so on would be vulnerable to bright lights, especially the cumulative effects of flash photography lights, which could fade some delicate props.

Rather interesting things in the world of a wanna-be curator (or equivalent), but that's another story.

From an outer-WDW forum which might explain the ethics behind flash photography, are on this article: http://community.discovery.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9701967776/m/45619644101

 

[DisneyJunkie]

My feeling on it is "why be a jerk?" to people who feel they have to start flashing away with their cameras on rides where it would disturb other people, or on rides where flash photography is specifically prohibited. I know the answer to that is "just because we can", but still. Come on, people....grow up and consider others.

 

[MagicMike]

What are your feelings about not keeping your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside the ride vehicle at all times?

Point being it's a rule. While not necessarily in place for your safety, it is there to keep the ride experience as high as possible for all guests. Disney works extremely hard to create a theme, story, and effects best enjoyed within the elements constructed. I know it can be tempting when you are the only rider in a POTC boat, but that should be the time you concentrate most on enjoying the ride with out interruption, finding things you never noticed before, appreciating all the details that make it so great, and less about trying to get a photo. Trust me, I am a picture fiend but sometimes the best memories are made when you put down the camera for awhile.

 

[MagicMike]

BTW have you ever actually seen any photographs taken on a dark ride that really turned out well? The answer to that is no. No, you have not.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

I HATE flash photography on dark rides with a passion. We were on GMR in May and some girl in front of us was taking flash photos. She spoke Englsih (I heard her talking) so I knew she heard the announcement and the CM had to ask her 3 more times to stop. Finally she didn't and I tapped her on the shoulder and told her in a polite as I could way to cut it out with the photos. She stopped after that. I will be the first person to call someone out who's taking flash photos. Sorry but you're not going to ruin MY ride experience because YOU feel entitled to take pictures. I do take pictures with my DSLR but I do not use the flash. And I don't take pictures every 5 seconds.

 

[ddbowdoin]

I do agree that it's really annoying on a crowded ride. In March I had someone take a flash photo right in my face as the cars were turning backwards on SSE. On that same trip I was trying to take photos on SSE (without flash) and suddenly noticed this annoying red light in my way! About ten pictures later, I realized it was coming from my camera... Needless to say, I didn't take anymore until I figured out how to make that go away. Considering the massive crowds during spring break, I was a little embarrassed.

that is an autofocus assistance light on your camera... on Nikon DLSR's its a white light. You can shut this feature off.

 

[ddbowdoin]

it's the worst on pirates...

it's frustrating because you know the images being produced in that camera SUCK to begin with!

 

[atigs]

It never really bothered me before, and I don't think it would bother me if the announcements on the ride didn't OBVIOUSLY ask for people to not do it...but it drives me up a wall now! I think it's just the fact that guests are deliberately disobeying (sup, Mufasa?) the instructions that are kindly given at the beginning of a ride that irks me so much. It's not that hard to find pictures of the interiors of rides online, and I GET the impulse need to take pictures, I really do...but just....STOP! It distracts everyone in the car around you from the magic.

 

[ddbowdoin]

It never really bothered me before, and I don't think it would bother me if the announcements on the ride didn't OBVIOUSLY ask for people to not do it...but it drives me up a wall now! I think it's just the fact that guests are deliberately disobeying (sup, Mufasa?) the instructions that are kindly given at the beginning of a ride that irks me so much. It's not that hard to find pictures of the interiors of rides online, and I GET the impulse need to take pictures, I really do...but just....STOP! It distracts everyone in the car around you from the magic.

honestly, I dont even know why people bother... at the end of the day there must be a massive amount of ignorance or really poor eyes because when people go home and download those images I can't see how people can be impressed with anything they see.

even with a f1.8 and mid grade body (push ISO high) you better have a great breathing technique to shoot at 1/20 of a second... but people think their little 100 dollar point and crap with flash is going to be awesome?!?!?!