Uploads from Express Monorail, tagged circularpolarizer, with geodata

Monorail With Pretty Trees - Or, One of These Things is Not Like the Others

nobody@flickr.com (Express Monorail) — Sat, 05 May 2012 05:13:53 -0700

Another take on this classic frame. I really liked the way the light was hitting in this scene, and using a circular polarizer really helped control the highlights. I just wish that third tree was in bloom like the others... or maybe it's dying? Either way I hadn't noticed the tree until I edited the picture. It's funny how you happen to miss details like this when looking through the viewfinder.

Wavy Lines Living Seas Abstract

nobody@flickr.com (Express Monorail) — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 14:29:05 -0800

Express Monorail posted a photo:

In terms of abstract, I feel like this is my best attempt yet. I kind of stumbled upon this shot. I was back by the restaurant at the Seas With Nemo and Friends pavilion trying to get a monorail shot that I've been trying forever to get properly. Well, I somewhat failed at that shot as my shutter speed was slightly too slow for the monorail and it is not sharp, plus I can't get the colors and levels in the picture to satisfy me no matter what I do in post. So, I gathered up the tripod and put it away and I was off to meet the gang over in Italy for lunch. But on my way, I'm glad I glanced over to the right at the building and this shot just kind of jumped out at me. I'm actually proud (and I don't say that often because I don't personally regard pride as a good thing) that I was able to spot this and actually see the abstract image here.

I know a lot of you, namely Tom Bricker :=0), see abstract and say – hmmf, what's the point? I don't know, really, it just kind of looks cool to me.

Kiki, I'm hoping I terminated my lines properly in the frame :=0) Please let me know how I did.

As for processing, there was very little. The colors, levels and frame (no crop) are SooC. I did however do some minor clean-up on the building, but it is not enough to post the original jpeg for comparison. The deep blue of the sky is due to the circular polarizer I was using. I could have brightened it up a little, but I like the contrast it offers.

This is one of my favorites from my last trip, believe it or not, so I hope you like it!
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The Seas with Nemo and Friends Pavilion (The Living Seas), Epcot Future World, Walt Disney World Resort

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you're having a great day!

Sunset Light On Paifang Gate

nobody@flickr.com (Express Monorail) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 10:38:54 -0800

Express Monorail posted a photo:

This is one of the last pictures I took before heading home. As you can probably tell by the image, the sun was low kissing everything with that golden glow that the late sun is so good at doing. When I came around the corner and saw this I knew I had to get a picture. It was simply beautiful. But I knew that if I let the camera meter the scene the face of the gate would be a huge blowout because of the metallic like gold paint. It was so bright that the highlights were even blown to my own eyes. I thought about doing a hand held exposure bracket, but then I though, why not spot meter on the highlight and let the exposure sort of act like depth of field for the gate, to really make it stand out. So this is what I ended up with. It is not far off the original jpeg. There is more detail and color but that's about it. Yes, greatly underexposed and the sky could probably pass for a night sky. But from an artistic standpoint, I think I like it. Technically correct exposure does not always equal best exposure in my opinion...

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China Pavilion, Epcot World Showcase, Walt Disney World Resort

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Weekly Disney

nobody@flickr.com (Express Monorail) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:31:06 -0700

Express Monorail posted a photo:

Since it's becoming increasingly obvious that I can't make a daily post, I'm renaming my posts to Weekly Disney. Life has just been too busy lately, and weekly is a pace I feel I can handle a little better...

This picture was made early in the morning on my walk to Epcot one day. I really like the Beach Club / Yacht Club / Boardwalk area of Walt Disney World. I can't wait to stay there again one day!

Disney question of the week: What is your favorite non-park structure on Walt Disney World property? Leave your responses in the comments below!
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Disney's Yacht Club Resort, Walt Disney World

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Daily Disney (Explored)

nobody@flickr.com (Express Monorail) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 19:47:49 -0700

Express Monorail posted a photo:

Approximately 13 minute exposure... just in case you ever wondered what the entire show of Illuminations looks like in a single exposure.

Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, Epcot World Showcase, Walt Disney World

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Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you're having a great day!

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This picture made it to Flickr Explore June 2, 2010 - #23 - thanks everyone!

Daily Disney

nobody@flickr.com (Express Monorail) — Tue, 04 May 2010 10:27:25 -0700

Express Monorail posted a photo:

Illuminations Reflections Of Earth

Epcot World Showcase, Walt Disney World

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Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you're having a great day!

Daily Disney (Explored)

nobody@flickr.com (Express Monorail) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 09:10:07 -0700

Express Monorail posted a photo:

This is a fairly tight crop, and yes, I know the sky is chaotic. I guess that's what happens when you leave the shutter open for 104 seconds. Next time I'd like to shoot this again but frame it this way to get better resolution on the castle.

Wishes! Main Street USA, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

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Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you're having a great day!

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This picture made it to Flickr Explore April 20, 2010 - #90 - thanks everyone!

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Disney Photo Challenge winner in "Fireworks" - thanks for your votes!

Daily Disney - Monday Method - Main Street Clock

nobody@flickr.com (Express Monorail) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:50:25 -0800

Express Monorail posted a photo:

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On Mondays I share a picture that maybe takes a little technical know how or creative thinking and try to explain a little how I got the shot.

Daytime blur. This one has two parts. First was a technique to get the shot and then there was some major editing.

Basically to achieve blur in daylight you need to somehow limit the amount of light that reaches the sensor with keeping a longer than normal shutter speed. This can be challenging especially in broad daylight. For this shot, it was near dusk so it wasn't quite as difficult. So the first thing you want to do, as you do in the case of most, if not all creative exposures, is think about the "exposure triangle". ISO, aperture, shutter speed. Since I know I want as long as possible shutter speed and understanding the relationship between the three, I know I want as low as ISO as possible and as small (think larger number) an aperture as possible. "Aperture Priority" mode would be a good choice here, but at the time I was trying to learn to shoot in "Manual" mode, so I read the camera's light meter and chose a 30 second exposure. Also, to help to limit the light even more I used a neutral density filter coupled with a circular polarizer filter. Think really dark sunglasses for the lens.

On the editing end of the shot, I started out with just a simple edit of levels and colors adjustment. It felt really flat. So to get the - almost fake "tilt-shift" lens - effect I did two things. Well, back up a step. First of all the clock face felt really lackluster so I did some dodging and burning on it to get it to stand out a little more. Actually, a lot more. Then I duplicated the layer and added a "motion blur" effect to the entire picture. Then I created a "show all" layer mask and painted away (with a very large soft brush) the areas around the clock. Lastly I used the "depth of field" effect within PSPX2 to blur out the background even more.

My hope is that the end result draws the focus to the clock. The blur - a combination of the natural motion blur of the crowd, the added motion blur and fake depth of field blur - makes for somewhat of a dreamy photograph. Hope you like it!

Quick EXIF:
Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 w/ neutral density filter and circular polarizer filter
Mode: Manual
Exposure: 30 sec
Aperture: f/22
Focal Length: 27mm (40mm full frame equivalent)
ISO: 100
Bias: N/A

Thanks for stopping by!

Main Street Blur

nobody@flickr.com (Express Monorail) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 19:08:41 -0700

Express Monorail posted a photo:

Cropped per Tom's suggestion... Thanks Tom! (I accidentally deleted the original...)

I'm open to all constructive criticism good or bad on the pictures from this recent trip. I thought more about composition and exposure on this trip than I ever have and really took some time to set up most of my shots. I figure maybe a little constructive criticism will hopefully help to advance my skills as a photographer. So if you've got a second and you see something about the photo that you like or don't like, don't be afraid to speak up!

Quick EXIF:
Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8DG HSM
Mode: Manual
Exposure: 13 sec
Aperture: f/22
Focal Length: 70mm (105mm full frame equivalent)
ISO: 100
Bias: N/A

Thanks for stopping by!

Like this picture? Check out these other fantastic Disney pictures from a few of my contacts in this gallery! (**UPDATED 9-24-09**)

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Disney Photo Challenge winner in "I Spy With My LIttle Eye: C" - thanks for your votes!