Last week I showed you how I used flickr, the popular Internet photo sharing community website, to try and recreate photos of a Disney flickr photographer. This week, I will introduce you to a flickr photographer who specializes in one kind of Disney theme park photography: Disney characters. Specifically, face characters like princesses, princes, and faeries.
Ron Vertrees, known on flickr and to the Disneyland characters as Disney-Grandpa, has a flickr photostream full of some of the best characters photos I have ever seen. Ron was nice enough to allow me to use a couple of his photos here. I didn’t do as well with the princesses as Disney-Grandpa does.
Let’s start with Snow White. I asked Ron after I got back for his tips on how he got such great character photos. One of the tips he gave was to use continuous or burst mode as the characters are often in motion or they change facial expressions a lot depending on their interaction with guests and other characters. This is what I didn’t do for my photo of Snow White during the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade. Got a good pose but her eyes are closed.
Snow White blowing a kiss during the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/60s, f/5.6, ISO 800, EV +0.3, 200mm focal length
Another of Disney-Grandpa’s secrets is to not wait in line but to stand near the characters helper while waiting for a time when the character is free for photos. Remember, he is taking photos at Disneyland where he lives and is often there when it is not too busy. Walt Disney World is much different. For popular characters, I would recommend you do wait in line. The characters are more than happy to pose for you even if you don’t have a son or daughter with you. Here is Disney-Grandpa’s Snow White.
Snow White by Disney Grandpa in Disneyland.
Nikon D40/55-200VR, 1/160s, f/6.3, ISO 1600, EV 0, 55mm focal length
You will notice Disney-Grandpa uses a Nikon D40 which is not an expensive camera as digital SLRs go. The lens is of good quality and very affordable. He uses Aperture priority mode and keeps the aperture as wide open (setting the f/stop as small as the lens will go) to keep backgrounds out of focus. If you have a fast lens like a 50mm f/1.8 or f/2.8 zoom, I suggest using a smaller aperture of f/4 or f/5.6 so as not to get too much out of focus like ears and hair.
Next up is Cinderella. I only saw her during a parade as well and, like my photo of Prince Eric and Princess Ariel, I had to shoot up into an overcast sky. I still like how it came out though I would have liked it more if she had looked in my direction. I’ll ask her next time.
Cinderella waving to guests during the Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/60s, f/5.6, ISO 400, EV +0.3, 200mm focal length
Here is Disney Grandpa’s Cinderella. A very lovely and expressive portrait. Notice the use of backlighting which allows Cinderella to have her beautiful eyes open. Most characters are found in shaded areas just for this reason.
Cinderella by Disney Grandpa in Disneyland.
Nikon D40/55-200VR, 1/500s, f/8, ISO 800, EV 0, 150mm focal length
I really needed to find out when and where the characters would be to get better photos like this one of Cinderella. You can find out by checking with Guest Relations at each park, on the park schedules or ask any Cast Member for assistance where your favorite characters will be. Though I did not have much luck with Cinderella, I did with her step-family one morning. I took Ron’s advice and hung out with the Cast Member who assists the characters and guests. I was able to get some very good candid photos including this one of Drizella, one of Cinderella’s step-sisters.
Drizella, one of Cinderella’s step sisters.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/40s, f/5.6, ISO 200, EV +0.3, 200mm focal length
I encourage you to visit Disney-Grandpa’s flickr photostream. If you love face characters, his photos will make you smile.
I have one more flickr post to go next week. Thank you for all the comments last week.
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I was at Disney World with my friends once and spotted Peter Pan and Wendy at a location in Adventureland. I was going to take a picture from afar, but my friend said the CM’s don’t like people to take pics when you’re not in line. Is this true and have you ever been reprimanded for taking a shot of a character from far away?
Scott replies: No, I have never heard of this nor have I ever been told not to take a photo of a character from any distance. I would avoid taking photos of other people’s children with a character unless you ask permission first. The photos of Drizella was with her posing with some children but I zoomed in to take a photo of just her.
Great series, I can’t wait to see part III. Thanks for photos and insight.
I’m a huge Snow White fan, you should see my house, and I love your picture of Snow White. I might be biased but I think it’s better then the other. Just a lovely picture!
Scott replies: Why, thank you, Kayla! Makes my day to read this.