It is not a coincidence that I am featuring a photo of The Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps as Deb Wills did early this month. With this post happening the day before America celebrates it's 233rd birthday on July 4th, 2009, I wanted to add on to Deb's excellent post (psst, Deb I think this is called "synergy") and show you something which surprised me.

I've seen the Fife and Drum Corps on several of my visits yet never had I stopped to watch them. I made it a point to do so on my last trip and enjoyed their preformance immensely. I believe they do several different routines. The one I had the pleasure of seeing included a salute to each of the United States Armed Forces. They played each theme song for the Air Force, Army, Navy and the Marines. It was during their salute to the Marines that they took the formation of the raising of the flag on the island of Iwo Jima during World War II. Everyone applauded and it gave me patriotic goose-bumps to hear and see this as I had no idea that was coming.

The Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps performing outside the American Adventure.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/200s, f/18, ISO 200, EV -0.3, 18mm focal length

Can't end a post without a little tip. You'll notice I used a small aperture of f/18 (remember the larger the f-number, the smaller the opening of the aperture), this was to make sure I'd have a large plane of focus or depth of field. Most good travel photos will use this technique. Another tip, when shooting in bright Florida sunshine, use fill flash. I didn't here and it would have helped to fill in the dark shadows. Next time!

Have a Happy and Safe 4th of July holiday to everyone in the United States of America!

Copyright © 2009 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D300, 50mm lens, 1/8s shutter, f1.4, ISO 400

This is a picture of a sculpture at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. But you knew that already, didn’t you? Filling the frame is the number one way to make your photos more interesting. Ever have someone look at one of your pictures and ask, “What is this picture of?” or say, “Nice building”, when what you really wanted them to notice was the fountain in front of the building? In most cases, you don’t want to have to explain your photos. The photo should speak for itself. When you fill the frame with your subject, there will be no question as to what it was that you were trying to capture.

Everyone needs an escape from their own reality. If we didn't then Disney parks would be empty and movie theatres would never sell tickets. I was ready for an escape myself and when I found out that Disney was bringing some Pixie Dust to Boston I asked if any of my fellow Disney fans were going and willing to take me as a guest. The event was for Disney Vacation Club Members, something that I am not. As luck would have it, a few gals were going and Cheryl and Keith offerred to let me tag along.

In a medium sized auditorium at Seaport Hotel we were razzle dazzled by Disney in a way that only Disney can all with the ultimate intent of getting DVC members to buy more points. Trust me though, this was the greatest sales pitch I've ever seen.

First you are greeted by a large staff of smiling and chatty Cast Members and given a gift bag containing a lovely portfolio with a full size notepad inside, a pen, and a chart pertaining to DVC points. You were also given a card to fill out for a drawing at the conclusion of the "show." Upon entering the theater, you got what looked like a funny calculator on a lanyard. We were seated in the second row, center section. I was having flashbacks to my Disney cruise a year and a half ago. I love musicals.

Anyway, things were kicked off by the MC, Wish-Meister. He reminded me of everyone from Genie (as seen in Aladdin the Musical in CA Adventure) to Pat E. Cake (birthday parties at Disneyland) to Liberace in his sparkling white coat tails and top hat. Wish-Meister explained that our Audience Response Device, that funny looking calculator was actually a Wishamacallit. Good to know. We used it to respond to demographic questions.

During the 90 minute presentation we were treated to a singing quartet who arrived as technicians to fix a glitch sort of like Four for a Dollar pretended to be stage hands before Beauty and the Beast at Disney's Hollywood Studios. We were also given some free goodies such as travel size binoculars and a travel agenda folder.

Nicole and Dave were the hosts who asked the audience questions about how often we travel and what types of vacations we enjoy. I'm sure each program will change from city to city as a joke about spending Friday night trying to get across the Bourne Bridge will go over the heads of anyone who doesn't deal with Cape Cod traffic.

The last thing that happened in the theater was the big drawing. The winner was a fellow sitting 2 rows behind me. He was too far away to tackle and besides, I feared that Mickey might scold me and not let me into his party.

That's right, there was a party after the sales pitch. I had read that light refreshments would be served and that Mickey and Minnie would be available for photos and autographs. That's an understatement. I walked into the room and it was a full-on fiesta with chocolates, cupcakes, lemonade, iced tea, strawberries, marshmallows, and pretzel rods for drenching in the chocolate fountain.

Uh oh. Did I lose the chocoholics? Come back here, I'm not done. The best surprise of all was when I looked to my left and saw...

Aaaaaaladdin! Excellent! Guess where I went first? After a much-needed hug and some photos I set out to take photos of Mickey and then Minnie on the dance floor. Where are those photos, you ask, they are going to be used in another blog.

If you get an offer to attend this by-invitation-only event, go. It's lots of fun for the whole family. Kids have their own room to play in while the adults are shmoozed and you're given pagers in case the kids want you to come and collect them.

I've left out a few details so you'll have some surprises when you go and if you could please do me a favor, tell my boyfriend to call me.

Don't lick your computer monitor.

Hello Disney fans! How is everyone? Are you ready for another installment of Picture of the Week?! My super friends Barrie, Scott, and I will show you how to fill the frame. Now this doesn't mean you need to visit your local frame shop and put in a magnificent photo one of us took, although not a bad idea. What we're discussing is a teaching tool. Come, I'll show you.

You never know which characters you'll come across or when. This day proved to be superior in that every time Laura Gilbreath and I turned around in California Adventure, we saw another one. In Hollywood Pictures Backlot we discovered Frozone and Mr. Incredible in the street meeting guests left and right.

Can you tell by this shot what my intended subject is? No, because there is far too much going on and no central focus.

Now it's obvious that I was aiming for Frozone. By zooming in closer and moving aside to place the kids out of the frame I have a clean shot. Sure, I'd be even happier if there weren't people in the background but far better that they're behind Frozone than in front of him.

This my friends, is filling the frame. Tadaaaa!

This was Challenge #91:

And here's the answer:

Copyright © 2007 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 1/320s shutter, f/9

In the mood for pasta? This is the sign outside Tony's Town Square Restaurant on Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom. Tony's restaurant is inspired by the Italian trattoria where Lady and the Tramp shared spaghetti and a kiss.

Susan Pitts was the first to send in the correct answer for the challenge! Congratulations to Susan and all the other readers who got the answer right: Danusia Rogacki, Sharon Pierce, Kris Nixon, Tiago De Oliveira, Chris And Alison, Jonathan Walker, Brandy White, Anne Hainsworth, Jessica Folan, Rebekah Anguish, Julie Wickware, Brian Yesutis, Leslie Dameron, Chris Masse, Jared Orth, Dylan Weidner, Ronnie Lane, Ashley Mayer, Jamie Difatta, Scott Otis, Jen Cox, Tim Locklair, Pollyanna Buff, Steve Toponak, Sherry Klinefelter, Kye Layton, Spring Smith, Emma Poprock, Louise Barton, Brittany Irish, Heather Barilla, Cori Lehman, Kevin Toomey, Christine Dagney, Hayley Lawson, Amy Rupp, Sharon Stuart, Anjanette Tournillon, James Berry, Emily Currier, Kathy Berry, Erin Kubicki, Elizabeth Macgregor, Austin O'blenis, Brendan Burke, Melissa Dye, Rich Esker, Derek Mullins, Elainejohnson, Alicia Henderson, Chloe Williams, Jen Cerce, Stephanie Visco, Barbara Sims, Jaime Thomson, Rochelle, Krista Penno, David Coates, Sharon Lee, Denise Owen, Dave Cole, Brooke Stahl, Marc Lorenzo, Penny Urell, Michael Gainey, Steven Bowling, Amanda Marie Penhale, Kendall Huffman, Scott Price, Jessica Reed, Derek Carty, Karen Schlumpf, Bonnie & Kristin Cola, Kathryn Hughes, Vicki Vaught, Bill Mckim, Tom Koval, Clarence Diggles, Maryann Eckenrode, Nicole Cyr, Bob Green, Jessica Gruhlke, Carinne Kight, Jackie Purcell, Debbie Poole, Diane Furtado, Wendy And Marina Crober, Doug Brigger, Marian Leafblad, Hillary Waldroop, Z. Cheven, Allison , Paula Munson, Heather Mcfall, Alissa Ammons, Tom Hermes, Michelle Mcspadden, Craig Canady, Melesia Love, Laurie Walker, Dawn Burns, Joshua Swainston, Tricia Noble, Jaclyn Kelch, Paul Ignudo, Jr., Sarah Connors, Marie Phillips, Brian Gallant, Kayla Anulies, Christina Cella, Kim Steiner, Meagan Jarmuz, Sandra Edwards, Chris Linscott, Brian Miller, Lesley Strawderman, Meghan Parham, Teri Jo Fuson, Katie Fry, Betsey Whitehead, Michele Delorenzo, Jen Schultz, Erica Adkins, Jessica Norman, Laura Pranaitis, Mike Walter, Erin Ballou, Nathan Firth, Heather Stevens, Carrie Kenney, Shane Stack, Robin Mcconnell, Kelley H, Carolyn Como, Heidi Goodhue, Matt Cofone, Susie Howard, Sharon Blickensderfer, Christi Ison, Mary Brennan, Tim Rachuba, Lisa R, Catherine Chiarello, Elaine Tomko-deluca, Phil Vickers, Kristen Carde, Wendy Snelgrove, Tere Given, Richard Caprio, Kelly Zanauskas, Liz Weiter, Caitlin Rush, Kalin Johnson, Jennifer S., Allie Reckendorf, Dana Hall, Dale Knudsen, Nikki Powell, Janet Larson, Becky Duncan, Margot Garofalo, Marianne Swan, Jerry Joyner, Amy Miller, Brooke Riley, Dominick, Juliet Ohare, Kate Melody, Clare Mcculloch, Jennifer Mcneill, Theresa Rucando, Jeanne Cundiff, Katie Olson, Tom Higbee, Jackson Hart, Aj Perras, Heather Coursen, Carol Donoghue, Allison Dibiase, Jocelyn Lafavers, Cam Lange, Ken Dipietro, Nicole Lopresti, Danielle Murgia, Trish Babler, Berry Morris, Roye Ann Morris, Larry Heidenberg, Bob D. , Chris J, Robert Anderson, Jeremiah Good, Sue Mcdonald, Ssg, Jamie Poynton and Kelly Montgomery. Each of you will be entered in the July winners’ drawing.

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Challenge #92: Where in the world is this?

Do you know? Do you have a guess? Send in your answer, before the end of the day on Thursday, July 2, by clicking on the blue box below. Please do not post answers using the Feedback Form link at the bottom of this post. Remember to be specific with your answer - just naming a park will not get you into the drawing.

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Everyone who sends in a correct answer to a Where in the World Challenge this month will be entered in a drawing at the end of the month for some special AllEars® goodies and a cool Disney book!

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Here's a tip from Helene M. for anyone interested in the license plate map that I featured a few weeks ago.

comments: About the "Where in The World" picture of the license plate map, I'm sure someone has already said this but you can find almost the exact same piece of art at Target stores for $40 for a 24"x18" and $200 for a 35"x23"... Just thought some people might like to know how to get a little piece of the World in their home for much cheaper than a few thousand dollars :)

Copyright © 2009 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D300, 18-200VR lens, 1/15s shutter, f22

Here’s my photo for the Tree of Life Pic of the Week. I took this on my last trip to Disney World in April (oh so long ago, she whimpers…). This size photo really does not do the tree justice. It appears much smaller here than it actually is. If you want to see more of the detail, like the carvings or a tiny bit of the waterfall, just click on the photo for a larger version. If you’re a fan of the Tree of Life, be sure to come back for a night time view on the September calendar. It’ll be posted on July 6.

Photos like the one below, taken in the Beauty and the Beast Meet and Greet Library in Epcot's France pavilion showing some of the famous Disney detail, used to come out blurry and underexposed back in the days I shot film on my trips to Walt Disney World. I either didn't have a fast film of ISO 400 or better in my camera or a "slow" lens. With today's digital cameras allowing ISO settings up to 6400 and Image Stabilized lenses, I can now enjoy photographing in low light situations in all the Disney parks and resorts when needed.

Book shelf in Belle's Library inside the France pavilion. See text below for details.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/30s, f/3.5, ISO 1600, EV +0.3, 18mm focal length

Books from left to right are Little Red Riding Hood, Grimm (as in the Brothers Grimm), Perrault (Charles Perrault, the Frenchman who wrote many French fairy tales including Cinderella - he's the reason we have the glass slipper - it's actually a mistranslation from the old French) and King Arthur. Research done by my Disney trivia lovng and French honor student daughter, Krystal.

It doesn't hurt that I've learned to hold my camera very steady, too.

Little by little I'm learning to enjoy Animal Kingdom more and more especially all of the details and art that goes into something as enormous as the Tree of Life.

This was a tricky shot because shooting up into the sky gives you a completely different reading than metering off the under part of the branches which are darker. Then you've got highlights and running water. I aimed for the center, planning to dodge shadows and possibly burn highlights in later. Here's the end result with very little post-production.

Canon PowerShot S5 IS, ISO 80, f4, 1/80

Lining up your subject in a way that's pleasing to the eye is simple if you just give yourself a moment to think about the photo you're taking rather than shooting something off quickly. When you are working with a collection of shapes and lines you'll find that by changing how much of the subject you include in your shot as well as where you crop will alter the feeling you get when you look at the photograph.

A great example of shapes, colors, leading lines, and even movement is Astro Orbiter. Climb aboard futuristic rockets in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom.

This is my first shot. It's fairly clean in the sense that there's nothing taking away from all of the circles, colors and lines. It all works together and there's just one rocket making it's way around.

In this picture, I've incorporated the top of a tree and more of the base of the towering geometric structure. This takes away from the fantasy of Intergalactic travel and plants it firmly in reality.

Finally, there's no sign of the base and very little of the tree. I've changed my angle so as to show part of the planet on the right and less of the rings encircling the planet on the far left. In doing so I've created a more dramatic leading line by cutting into the arc on the left and making it feel like it's closer than it actually is.

So as you see, there's a change in how we feel about each image. Which one do you like best?

These were taken from behind the Astro Orbiter, over by the restrooms and arcade with the Canon PowerShot SX100 IS.

There are over 320 animals carved into the Tree of Life in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Not all of them can be found on the massive trunk and limbs of the tree itself. Many can be found along the trails which serpentine around the tree’s roots like this beautiful giraffe carving and makes a suitable start to this week's Disney Pic of the Week theme on The Tree of Life.

Giraffe carving amongst the Tree of Life's roots.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/25s, f/11, 250 ISO, EV +0.3, 62mm Focal Length

Barrie and Lisa will be investigating other wonders of the Tree of Life on Thursday and Saturday.

This was Challenge #90:

And here's the answer:

Copyright © 2007 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 1/500s shutter, f/16

I took this photo of Buzz Lightyear at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, during the Stars and Motorcars parade. Buzz travels around the world quite a bit. There was really no way to tell from my clue exactly where he might have been when I snapped the picture so I counted everyone who had his name in their answer, no matter where you thought he might have been at the time.

Robert Anderson was the first to send in the correct answer for the challenge! Congratulations to Robert and all the other readers who got the answer right: Jennifer Snapp, Kirsty Butler, Shannon Milair, Cara Richards, Chris And Alison, Denise Owen, Kye Layton, Sherry Trapp, Benjamin Dameron, Jamie Difatta, Elizabeth Macgregor, Elizabeth Collins, Kameo Crea, Melissa Dye, Tim W, Joy Johnston, Tim Johansen, Vicki Vaught, Diane Leclercq, Jackson Hart, Susan Thompson, Wendy And Marina Crober, Louise Barton, Ivan Barton, Benjamin Barton, Jennifer S., Michelle Thompson, Heather Young, Kevin Toomey, Megan Krainski, Jeremy Finke, Evelyn Wilson, Stephanie Mendoff, Hayley Lawson, Stephanie Visco, Mindy Marinelli, Danielle Murgia, Karen Pizzuta, April Baker, Diane, Natalie Ashton, Ashley Pizzino, Kelly Torch, Jeremy Hardy, Hillary Waldroop, Tamara Lasher, Marc Acosta, Kristen Gainey, Heather Stanley, David Coates, Robb Fluet, Richard Uhler, Christopher Jackson, Scott Otis, Jennifer Shelor, Marietta Falk, Diana Salisbury, Scott O'donnell, Alex Karr, Angie Young, Clay Anthony, Jodi Cook, Stephanie Hardhouse, Abbie Newsome, Jen Cerce, Christina Rotella, Tina Santacroce, Will Bennett, Carinne Kight, Denise Cayz , Aly Nichting, Paula Massarelli, Brenda Mcguire, Olivia Lobaugh, Hailey S, Anjanette Tournillon, Barbara Sims, Rich Esker, Jen Murphy, Laurie Jensen, Alicia Roth, Douglas Mcknight, Michelle Mcknight, Nancy Merritt, April Pangburn, Paula Munson, Louise Maxwell, Chris Bourassa, Joy Palmer, Teresa Cole, Becky Terjung, Jared Orth, Jude Toups, Jay Kerznowski, Anne Hainsworth, Bruce Lawson, Irene Kleintop, Kelly Zanauskas, Sarah Connors, Dale Knight, Tom Hermes, Cara Arnold, Brian Yesutis, Melissa Jennings, Laura Pranaitis, Tere Given, Carri Marotto, Brittany Irish, Daniel Meagher, Jessica Marcotte, Christine Paniccia, Kristin Mayotte, Elaine Mazzara, Laurie Walker, Heather Stoskopf, Lesley Strawderman, Nikki Powell, Shane Stack, Carrie Kenney, Aubrey Cooper, Virginia Mackenzie, Darrell Shortt, Aruna, John Arena, Elaine Tomko-deluca, Robert Acosta, Leigh M, Jennifer Schwing, Jeffrey Beauchamp, Paul Knott, Elaine Leviner, Christie Condit, Susan & Tom Linder, Aj Perras, Devin Wisman, Marie Phillips, Elisa Dillon, Christi Ison, Amy Whitmire, Heather Mcfall, Kala Miller, Margot Garofalo, Anna Burch, Bridgie Auckland, Katie Fry, Mickey Eckert, Tiago De Oliveira, Barclay Bakkum, Heather Coursen, Candace Dadswell, Willie Tople, Dave Carriere, Sandra Edwards, Allison Dibiase, Amy Miller, Stacey Hutchinson, Sharon Blickensderfer, Maureen Ohare, Juliet O'hare, Roye Ann Morris, Paul Ignudo, Jr., Linda Scrivano, Carolyn Como, Sydney Walker, Mike O'brien, Sherrie Weber, Krista Penno, Tom Carty and Ssg. Each of you will be entered in the June winners’ drawing.

This month’s big winner is Kalin Johnson! Congratulations Kalin, you are the lucky recipient of a fabulous Disney book and some really cool AllEars schwag!

Good luck to everyone as we begin another month! Here we go…

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Challenge #91: Where in the world is this?

Do you know? Do you have a guess? Send in your answer, before the end of the day on Thursday, June 25, by clicking on the blue box below. Please do not post answers using the Feedback Form link at the bottom of this post. Remember to be specific with your answer - just naming a park will not get you into the drawing.

_______________________________________________________________________

Everyone who sends in a correct answer to a Where in the World Challenge this month will be entered in a drawing at the end of the month for some special AllEars® goodies and a cool Disney book!

A few friends and I stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge several years ago for 2 nights. It was one of those hazy and humid Summers with enough rain to demand ponchos. We were thrilled for the complimentary upgrade from a view of the parking lot to one of the savannah. We didn't see many animals so we pretended that a small boulder was a hippo and I named him Stone Phillips.

The design of the building was cool so I grabbed a quick shot of the balconies with my 35mm camera.

Here's a "Did You Know?" featuring a unique photo you can create in Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland. There is a Cinderella fountain near the back of Cinderella Castle (as you look at the Castle from Cinderella's Golden Carrousel you'll see it on the right just before the path to Liberty Square). If you stand directly in front of the Cinderella statue and bend down, you'll see a painted crown on the wall behind her line up with her head. Whalla! You've given Cinderella her crown and she is now a Queen. Imagine a trumpet fanfare being played and white doves being released as you do this.

Giving Cinderella her Crown.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/60s, f/5.6, ISO 200, EV -0.6, 130mm focal length

Great White Egret near Arusha Rock.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/250s, f/5.6, 200 ISO, +0.3 EV, 200mm Focal Length

From Arusha Rock, the Animal Kingdom Lodge's elevated viewing area, you can see Giraffes, Zebras, Gazelles and other African animals was well many birds species which are both African and Flordian. The animals can be easily photographed with a good zoom lens/camera of at least 200mm in length. Birds like pelicans and egrets are even easier. This Great White Egret was only eight feet from me when I took this photo which is my Disney Pic of the Week for the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

In my quest to show, explain, and offer tips on how to make the most of your camera, I make use of the modes, settings, and options on whatever camera I can get ahold of. However, this time, I have stumped myself.

These photos of Swiss Family Treehouse were taken last December as I ran around grabbing shots for this website's attraction pages. I didn't take any notes in this instance and I've been unable to reproudce the results in my Canon PowerShot SX100 IS, which doesn't offer Color Swap or Color Accent I even pulled out the manual and read it just now. :gasp: I've searched high and low for answers online and I'm still coming up short.

All I can say is I hope you enjoy this beautiful disaster as much as I do.