Sixth Bloom

  • Photography Tips
    • Start Here
    • Photography Courses
    • Edit Pictures Like a Pro
    • Grow Your Business
    • Learn Your Camera
    • Childrens Photography Tips
    • Family Photography Tips
    • Newborn Photography Tips
    • Senior Photography Tips
    • Wedding Photography Tips
    • Photography Projects
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • Food
    • Instant Pot
    • Meals
    • Snacks
  • Kids Activities & Crafts
  • Family
    • Gardening Tips
    • Travel
    • Money Saving & Budgeting
    • Home & Lifestyle
      • Our Family Life
      • Decor & DIY
  • About Me
    • Featured On
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Me
    • Guest Post Application

March 4, 2015 By RachelKing 2 Comments

5 Tips on Shooting Disney After Dark

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my Disclosure and Privacy policies here

Sharing is caring!

868 shares
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

5 Tips on Shooting Disney After Dark

5 Tips on Shooting Disney After Dark

1. Let the lights of Disney light up your photos!

As the Parade of Lights passes by, that existing light will add beautiful character to your photos! Rather than relying on flash (which can kill the ambiance) – let those existing lights give life to your images! Spotlights, streetlights, parade lights, whatever light there is – use it to your advantage! Disney World and Disneyland both do a superb job at keeping things lit with gorgeous colors and lighting! Usually the character spots have great lighting that can create great photos with ease!

5 Tips on Shooting Disney After Dark

 

2. When there isn’t any light – don’t be afraid to use flash! 

When you use the flash on your camera, it can create a flat image – so I highly recommend using an off camera flash if you are savvy with your camera & think that you can handle some extra gear. Personally, I try to travel with only the basics and light stand or tripod isn’t an option – but if I REALLY am wanting to get a cool image with lighting then I’ll take my flash and ask my dear husband to be a human light stand for me and hold it at a 45 degree angle from my subject.

5 Tips on Shooting Disney After Dark

 

3. Plan!

If you’re planning on taking photos after dark then likely you and your family will have had a jam packed day of activities. Making sure everyone is still chipper & happy can be key for great nighttime photos. Getting kids to cooperate can be a challenge, but make sure they are well rested, that they have a belly full, and bribes can’t hurt! This goes for uncooperative dads, too! Let your family enjoy the atmosphere and capture those candid shots rather than saying “look at me” and “SMILE” every few minutes. You’ll wind up with genuine smiles and sheer happiness if you let the photos happen rather than prying it out of them.

5 Tips on Shooting Disney After Dark

4. Think about your camera settings.

Shooing at ISO 200 is probably ideal for midday photos – but if you want a great natural light nighttime shot, you will definitely want to push up that ISO.   Most SLR cameras are capable of shooting with at least ISO 800 without much grain. Another setting to watch is your shutter speed. In order to capture the light, you may want to slow down the shutter speed – but remember – when you do this, it can create motion blur in your images. My suggestion is to keep the shutter speed above the focal length of the lens.

5 Tips on Shooting Disney After Dark

5. Don’t stress over getting the “perfect shot”

The memory is what matters most.  So often in today’s world we get caught up in photos and forget to enjoy the moments with our family.  Get a few shots when things are going good (like kids are in a good mood, your favorite character is around, or the parade is coming by – and then enjoy!  Sure, we all want beautiful photos to remember great times, but some of my favorite childhood photos are completely compositional catastrophic, unbelievably blurry, or just plain silly – but they are still so dear to me!

5 Tips on Shooting Disney After Dark

And keep in mind – my absolute favorite time to take outdoor photos is just before sunset, but there are plenty of opportunities in Disney after dark you won’t want to miss, too!   I hope you get some fantastic photos on your next trip to the happiest place on earth!!!

Filed Under: Learn Your Camera

Popular Posts

traveling tips

Save Your Sanity -10 Hacks for Holiday Travel

what to do in orange beach

Family Fun – What to do in Orange Beach & Gulf Shores

7 tips for Mom to pick up her camera and use it

7 tips for Mom to pick up her camera and use it

Back to Nature Chocolate Chip Cookie | Review

« Stand Out from Your Competition with a Studio Welcome Guide
Why a Camera Won’t Make You a Pro Photographer »

Comments

  1. Madaline says

    March 5, 2015 at 1:33 pm

    Your pictures are SOOO cute. I cant wait to go to Disney – maybe this time my parade pics wont be blurry light messes!

    Reply
    • Rachel King says

      March 5, 2015 at 2:11 pm

      Thank you Madaline! I hope these tips help you get gorgeous photos on your trip to Disney! Will you be visiting Disney World or Disneyland? Both are magical vacations!!!

      xo

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


I'm Erin owner and chief editor of Sixth Bloom! A wife and mom living the small town life in Mississippi just outside of New Orleans Louisiana. A retired piano teacher of 19 years, currently a professional photographer and blogger. I love Jesus, my family, coffee, french fries and traveling!

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023