Photographing Dreams question

[adelaidebrumby]

Hi everyone,

I'm coming over from Australia in July and after seeing the spectacular photos people on here have taken of Dreams I want to give it a try. I really don't want to bring a tripod with me but am considering bringing a Gorillapod. Is there somewhere with a decent view of Dreams that I could hook a Gorillapod around to keep my camera stable, lamp post maybe? Thanks in advance!

[perrollaz]

I'm not a photographer but maybe my tip can help answering your question - Google maps offers street view for main street and the area in front of the castle- so you can have a look of the area in advance

[adelaidebrumby]

Thanks perrollaz, I've done that and it looks like there might be a few places but I noticed Google did it during the 15th anniversary so I was wondering if there might have been some changes since then.

[SwipatronSparks]

Thanks perrollaz, I've done that and it looks like there might be a few places but I noticed Google did it during the 15th anniversary so I was wondering if there might have been some changes since then.

the only major change to what you see on google is that the stage in front of the castle isn't there any more everything else is still the same, i would recommend if you are going for more than one might you go to dreams and just watch it for the first night and then photograph it the second night, that way you can scope out where is a good place to put your camera on the first night and you get to watch dreams properly for the first time rather than watching it through the lense of a camera. (that's my plan for when I go =] )

[Epcot_Boy]

I'm afraid that in my opinion a G/Pod would be of no use to you There is nowhere that I can think of that would provide a resting place for your G/Pod that would give you a clear view. Perhaps you could set your timer for a 10 second delay, hold up your G/Pod, prefocus and then hold your G/Pod steady for the shot..............that's possibly an answer
Personally, I would do as suggested, watch Dreams one night just to enjoy it and then perhaps use a tripod another night to get your shots.

Be aware though, in July everyone wants to get as close as possible to dreams, so mark out your spot early if you want some good shots, real early

[adelaidebrumby]

Thanks for the advice SwipatronSparks and Epcot_Boy. I'd be worried that if I just try and hold it steady I'd end up with a blurry picture I've had another look at street view and noticed they had a Kodak photo point, is it still there? I could probably hook it around that and do the lamp posts still have banners hanging on them? My other option would be to buy a cheap tripod in London before we leave for Paris and not bring it home. Either way I've got 7 nights to get some good photos so hopefully some will turn out well!

[captain rocket]

I've tried a monopod, a tripod and hand held. The best results have been hand held, the tripod is not tall enough to photograph over the heads of parents with kids on their shoulders who arrive five minutes before the show starts, same with the monopod. On at least one night of your trip I advise arriving about two hours before the show, yes seriously, and sitting on the road right in front of the castle. Be prepared to hold your spot against some pretty fierce competition and you should get some great shots with a tripod. If the shots come out well, it would all be worth it. Take the advice of others and watch the show at least once without a camera and you will be prepared for the running order and can plan the shots you want.

[adelaidebrumby]

Thanks captain rocket, will definitely take everyone's advice and watch it without a camera the first time (more like a few times ) very much looking forward to seeing it! I might even bring a decent tripod over, I'm sure I could use it in some of the other places I'm visiting.

[never2old]

When we went in November we saw Dreams from the terrace outside Plaza Gardens, behind the information board, I think I could have used a gorillapod there... You could try moving a table to the edge, or even using the little fences, if you aim up you can get a good view of the Castle, plus there are some bushes straight after the fences so no one can stand there, it gives you a bit of space. However note that the view is not perfect, you do get trees and speakers, depending on where you stand...

[captain rocket]

Have some faith in your own ability and try a few hand held shots, here's one I took with my Panasonic Lumix "snaps" camera, the shots I took at the same time with my Cannon T21 on a monopod were very poor by comparison!

[DisneyWizard]

I found that if you stand near the adventureland entrance, on the small hill where the sand meets the grass, you can stand on the slabs beneath the railings to avoid everyones heads

[adelaidebrumby]

Thanks everyone I'll try a few places/methods and see how they come up but I don't want to spend every night photographing it! That picture looks incredible captain rocket I don't have much of an ability yet, new to dslr and unfortunately there aren't many places around here to practise shooting moving objects at night though I am doing a workshop at night next month so hopefully will come away with lots of tips! And thanks never2old I think I'll try attaching it to a lamp post, it held onto a post in our yard incredibly well!

[perrollaz]

Ha Ha you will be very well prepared- can't wait to see your pictures then!!