This was Challenge #106:

And here's the answer:

Copyright © 2009 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D300, 18-200VR, 1.6s shutter, f/11

Starabilias was a really fun store to browse when it was open. I always gave myself lots of time because it was full of interesting music, movie, history and sports memorabilia. It was located at Downtown Disney - Westside.

Robin Mcconnell was the first to send in the correct answer for the challenge! Congratulations to Robin and all the other readers who got the answer right: Sharon Pierce, Scott Otis, Vincent Maltese, Charles Wright, Travis, Sarah Haas, Tim Rachuba, Chad Ryan, Sharon Dale, Jon Solomonson, Linda Mac, Chris Nash, Vittoria Vignone and Kristen Gainey. Each of you were entered in the October winners’ drawing.

It’s time for the monthly drawing. This month’s big winner is Carri Marotto! Congratulations Carri, 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 #107: 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, October 29, 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!

Funmeister Mascot of Pleasure Island.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/6s, f/9, 500 ISO, +0.3 EV, 28mm Focal Length

The Funmeister or Moon Man mascot can still be found around the remains of the original Pleasure Island entertainment complex and thought it a fitting tribute for my Disney Pic of the Week on Pleasure Island.

Copyright © 2008 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D300, 18-200VR lens, 1.6 sec, f/11

When you see a shot like this, it’s pretty clear why they closed Pleasure Island. Still, I miss it. My Pic of the Week was taken on the last weekend that Pleasure Island was open.

This was Challenge #102:

And here's the answer:

Copyright © 2009 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D300, 18-200VR, 1/160s shutter, f/11

Characters in Flight is a giant, tethered, helium balloon ride at Downtown Disney with spectacular views of Walt Disney World. I didn’t get a chance to ride it on the trip when I took this photo but I’m definitely looking forward to it in January. Check out how many people got it right this week - amazing!

Frances Phebus was the first to send in the correct answer for the challenge! Congratulations to Frances and all the other readers who got the answer right: Craig, Tim Weston , Diane C., Anthony Oneto, Michelle Mcspadden, Hollie Hinton , Kris Nixon, Amy Knoche, Scott Greenbaum, Sharon Pierce, Brittany Irish, Elizabeth Collins, Jodi Cook, Denise Cayz , Jaclyn Koller, Ken Fischler, Mike Malampy, Ken Jackson, Amy Lucas, Wendy Osborne, Sharon Dale, Carla, Dawn Bach, Rich Kacprowicz, Shannon, Megan Krainski, Amy Filliben, Dawn Burns, Scott , Scott Otis, Jillian Domings, Matthew Sherman, Linda Scrivano, Danielle And Matt Murgia, Anthony Dearman, Alissa Ammons, Brian Yesutis, Leigh Mertz, Deb Ragno, Louise Barton, Betsy Bates, Katie, Emily Currier, Tina Cole, Alex Karr, Linda Coutu, Ed Aleszczyk, Ronnie Lane, Brendan Abel, Rich Esker, Ariana Stowe, Annette Nuenke, Monica Alderman, Noreen Rachuba, George Weigler, Sarah Haas, Lauren Sullivan, Cari-ann, Jackson Hart , Stephanie Servaites, Stacey Van Dyke, Berry Morris, Karen Adamakis, Debbie O'connell, Melody Salemi, Tim Rachuba, Michele Delorenzo, Teri Jo Fuson, Michelle Raimist, Danielle Ford, Jim Kayer, Mary Beth Tarbet, Austin O'blenis, Diana Fitzgerald, Phil Vickers, Danielle Berkovitz, Jenny Shenold, Grant Hart, Lin Fales, Jennifer Harmon, David And Melissa Lizewski, Jen , Barbie Lawless, Michael Pyle, Christine Dagney, Karen Diegel, Howard Schreiber, Emily Dagney, Mallory Bach, Marie Wolfe, Richard Caprio, Donna Currier, Douglas Mcknight, Theresa Rucando, Joy Johnston, Michelle Sunde, Stephanie Visco, Jocelyn L., Steve Toponak, Caitlin Barringer, Amanda Mccracken, Amy Rupp, Lee Anastasi, Jackie Purcell, Emma Poprock, Belicia Dawson, Scott Cullen, Bill Androckitis Jr., Karen Hotchkiss, Erica Adkins, Seth Walker, Wendy Shain, Jen Cerce, Brianne F, Jay Bradford, Bonnie Ford, Tricia Petty, Brian Haas, Bryan Blochberger, Baines Family, Victoria Vogt, Quincy Delcolletti, Charles Wright, Betsey Whitehead, Allie , Jacquelyn Law, Claressa Nisley, Alan Law, Valerie Gugala, Heather Young, Pat W., Letitia Faulkner, Gabriella Rizzo, Jeremy Hardy, Ann Fowler, Marie Phillips, Kameo Crea, Susan Pitts, Erica Sipich, Evelyn Wilson, Ssg, Amanda M., Eric Hoffman, Lisa Hoffman, Jeremy Coto, Kristen Gainey, Caryn Schill, Kendall Huffman, Shannon Brueggemann, Jorge Caso, Mary Virginia Clause, R S Engel, Curtis Bille, Nick Straka, Maria M, Jennifer Tremley, Bryan Fencl, Marc Lorenzo, Karen Nelson, Wendy Ip, Double Family`, Richard Uhler, Jennifer Haas, Vickie Woods , Dan Mangini, April Pangburn, Mike M., Marissa, Chrsitine Holzman, Jill Smith, Elisa Dillon, Dominic Plavny, Rick Hemsley, Michelle Thompson, Stephanie Hardhouse, Kelly Zanauskas, Daniel Record, Robin Fitts, Julia Wickware, Lori Rienhardt, Humberto Ciucio Junior, Tina Santacroce, Sue Thompson, Erin Hammer, Jessica Gruhlke, Danielle Quatrella, Jamie Difatta, Irene Kleintop, Ana Marlett, Alicia Roth, Walter Fletcher, Erin Lundvall, Laurie, Ashley Pizzino, Patrick Albrecht, Tom Koval, Kelly H, Christina Cooper, Kidnurse, Tony Clay, Mike Kaczanowski, Elizabeth Scarborough, Annie Hulsey, Mike O'brien, Kim Steiner, Krystal Pound, Daria Hagemeyer, Bennet Creed, Amanda Perkins, Z Cheven, Chris J, Melissa Littman, Jennifer Glaze, Laura, Jennifer Mccurry, Gregg Mcglasson, Laura Laws, Erin Austin, Hoekzema Family, Kye Layton, Datosha Brigger, Doug Brigger, Susan Hines-brigger, Jeff Finger, Misty Mehelic, Dee Dee Chapman, Mike Zendler, Lynn Barber, Dave Cole, Callie , Dan Hawkins, Jane Dickerson, Angela Saulsberry, Duane Wisniewski, Christie Condit, Jeffrey Dunne, Linda Abbate, Pamela Meeker, Emma Ford, Louise Maxwell, Christopher Bourassa, Pollyanna Buff, Jill Linton, James Greene, Dana Grandinetti, Dallas Hamilton, Cara Richards, Kim Perry, Vincent Maltese, Sandra Edwards, Anne Hainsworth, Mike Gillardi, Karen Dresser-smith, Jerry Marceau, Alison Rosenberger, Teresa Cole, Scott Button, Cameron Lange, Christopher Hall, Nicole Lassiter, Paul Ignudo, Jr, Karen Desantis, Susan Flebotte, Dolores Riccio, Chris Miller, Bruce Arnold, John Leach, Deanna Simmons, Jim Finley, Jake Christopher, Becky Skidmore, Matt Degrandis, Elaine Tomko-deluca, J Breezy, Ellie Argaluza, Bruce Lawson, Dennis Blackburn, Greg Gallo, Meagan Jarmuz, Jaclyn Kelch, Kim Peters, Mark Franklin, Scott Price, Rochelle, Amanda Marie Penhale, Jaron Goldberg, Vanessa Gordon, Jen Norris, Kristen Mccoy, Helene Mahnken, Carri Marotto, Deb Gallo, Angela And David Blevins, Erin Loring, Michael Gainey, Tere Given, John Arena Jr, Karen Schlumpf, Steve Pocopanni, Sue Mcdonald, Sara Beth Wade, Stuart Hale, Mark Cullison, Emily, Joyce Tofflemire, Karen Klein, Paula B, Alex Hill, Leslie Schwartz, Lou Baker, Jacob Hill, Denise Long, James Steele, Mildred Popp, Lisa Falletta, Karen Robertson, Jennifer Schwing, Sarah Connors, Deb, Melanie Moeller, Jim, Mike Thomson, Rex Brigger, Laura Pranaitis, Michelle Roth-smoot, Caitlin Rush, Tiffany Wakefield, Wendy Palmquist, Bill Daniel, Megan E., Debby & Andrew Webber, Jonathan Thomas, Wendy Snelgrove, Tom & Susan Linder, Dean, Tiago And Rocco De Oliveira, Eric Bouchet, Randy Katz, Tim Johansen, Joshua Thorne, Derek Carty, Paul Newman, Jennifer Dye, Lauri Phillips, Sarah Biesterfeld, Celia Bubb, Tiffany Gibb, Jacque Schmidt, Jen Schultz, Leah Nan Broussard, Jerry Weldon, Jeremy , Brandon Joyce, Steve Bob, Shauna Hasselman, Alicia Henderson, Aruna, Antonio Arena, Susan Doucette, Melesia Love, Michael Nanney, Angela Fennell, Diane Leclercq, Tracy Discher, Keith Burwell, Dennis Bratnik, Carolyn Como, Kelly Kobiela, Misty Lyons, Casie Crowder, Wade A. Williams, Christy Gattis, Debbie Hicks, Kellie Carter, Amanda Smith, Dave Carriere, Danielle Fitzgerald, Sherry, Shane Stack, Robin Mcconnell, Peter Lee, Megan, Jennifer Townsend, Angela Quirk, Kevin Geiger, Candace Dadswell, Brittany Bailey, Jennifer Chartier, Gemma Keen, Lindsay C., Hillary Waldroop, Julianne Williams, Heather Pedulla, Julie Williams, Jane Johnson, Bev Folmer, Theresa Maradei, Suzanne Brown, Chris Connors, Debbie Connors, Joseph M Zafia, Abby Earl, Susan Popp, Kay Chance, Peter Ball, Carolyn Brooke, Amy Perras, Laney Wood, Sharon Poag, Jon Uk, Nicole Elliott, Janet Ostrowe, Heather Coursen, Phil Thach, Jane Gilarno, Cheri Palmisano, Allison Dibiase, Michael Barker, Kristin Dormuth, Heidi Summers, Jennifer Bogdan, Barb, Janet Theriault, Amy Miller, Danielle Aston, Bob Hendrix, Bridgie Auckland, Richard Nussbaum, Kirsten Stark, Judy Koslowski, Denise Dossat, Angie Daley, Kelly Simms, Gail H, Brent Lollar, Melissa Dye, Stephanie Pcolinsky, Sharon Lee, John P., Kris Kline, James Berry, Melissa Rebelo, Kathy Berry, Holley Blyler, Jennifer Cameron, Shannon Milair, Carol Donoghue, Amy Morgan-rogers, Luis Rodriguez, Chris B, Jamie Poynton, Candy Grasty and Peggy Saeger. Each of you were entered in the September winners’ drawing.

By the way, I missed a couple of names last week. Both Sharon Dale and Brenda Strohmeyer had the right answer to Challenge #101. I added both your names into the September drawing. If that ever happens, (I should say “when” not “if”) just let me know. Sometimes my eyes go a little buggy when I’m reading through all the entries.

It’s time for the monthly drawing. This month’s big winner is James Berry! Congratulations James, 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 #103: 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, October 1, 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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Self Portrait in front of Goofy's Candy Company in Downtown Disney.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 8s, f/16, ISO 200, +1.0 EV, 18mm Focal length, Tripod

Still vacationing (not at Walt Disney World this time) and will return soon!

This was Challenge #89:

And here's the answer:

Copyright © 2008 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D300, 18-200VR, 0.0166s shutter, f/5.6, ISO 800

This is the head of the Dreaded LEGO Dude (my own personal pet name for him) at LEGO Imagination Center in Downtown Disney. You can find him inside the store.

Derek Mullins was the first to send in the correct answer for the challenge! Congratulations to Derek and all of the other readers who got the answer right: Neil Taylor, Jodi Cook, Sharon Pierce, Vicki Vaught, Heather Young, Nathan Cripe, April Ramey, Brian Yesutis, Betsey Whitehead, Dylan Weidner, Robin Fitts, Sharon Dale, Scott Cullen, Belicia Dawson, Sandra Shaw, Elizabeth Scarborough, Douglas Mcknight, Lee Anastasi, Louise Barton, Walter Fletcher, Jacquelyn Law, Ashley, Kameo Crea, Michael Dameron, James Berry, Kathy Berry, Hollie Hinton, Caroline, Sherri Pell, Jennifer Tremley, Kris Nixon, Cindy Dore', Marc Lorenzo, Paul Knott, Michelle Mcknight, Nancy Merritt, Maria M, Tim And Brendan Wingfield, Trish Babler, Lynn Barber, Melissa Dye, Russell Wurr, Debbie Hicks, Mike Cerce, Jen Cerce, Christi Ison, Scott Otis, Jessica Marcotte, Kelly Zanauskas, Christy Gattis, Jeremiah Good, John Foggo, Roye Ann Morris, Duane Wisniewski, Jennifer Mcneill, Carinne Kight, Ed, Ssg, Sam I, Diane Ramos, Chloe, Allison Ulery, Jamie Poynton, Thomas Auckland, Richard Nussbaum, Casey Sullivan, Elizabeth Macbon, Karen Pizzuta, Nicole Amidon, Barclay Bakkum, Tom Hermes, Jared Orth, Noreen Rachuba, Tim Rachuba, Christie Condit, Jessica Reed, Regina Reed, Carrie Kenney, Jeremy Coto and Mandy Youngblood. Each of you will be entered in the June winners’ drawing.

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Challenge #90: 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 18, 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!

In my recent article on Using a Tripod at Walt Disney World, I talked about the advantages of using a tripod over trying to hand hold a camera when light levels are low like at night. This week I want to show you by comparing two photographs of the same subject using both techiques.

I carefully chose the subject and took the photos from the same location. For the first photo of Fulton's Crab House Restaurant in Downtown Disney's Marketplace, I steadied myself as best I could against a railing and used Joe McNally's Da Grip with an image stablized (IS) lens. Nikon calls theirs vibration reduction (VR) lenses. To get a proper exposure, I had to increase the ISO to 1600 and use an aperture of f/5.3 to get a shutter speed of 1/13th of a second. This is quite hard to hand held and I took a series of shots with this one being the best.

Fulton's Crab House taken Hand Held.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/13s, f/5.3, ISO 1600, EV +0.3, 80mm focal length

I do like this photo. The reflection of the lights in the water ripples and the lights and signs of the restaurant are nice but it's dreary for lack of a better word. It doesn't reach out and grab my attention.

In the second photo where a tripod was used, I was able to set the ISO at 200 for less noise and an aperture of f/22 which gave the lights a nice star effect. The shutter speed climbed to 30 seconds which allowed more light to hit the sensor. You can see more definition in the outside lighting and you can see more of the inside lighting. The long exposure smooths out the water ripples and reflections so they are not as pronounced but I find it a very pleasing result. This photo does grab my attention. What do you think?

Fulton's Crab House taken using a Tripod.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 30s, f/22, ISO 200, EV +1.0, 82mm focal length

This was Challenge #81:

And here's the answer:

Copyright © 2009 Jack Spence, Nikon D80, 1/250s shutter, f/8, ISO 400

Jack was right, this one was hard. Most people, understandably, thought it was taken in front of the Great Movie Ride in Hollywood Studios. This picture actually comes from the Planet Hollywood merchandise shop, outside of the Planet Hollywood Restaurant at Downtown Disney Westside. The outside of the shop is covered with handprints. If you look at the picture closely, you can see “white” areas on the building. This is where the handprints are. Thanks Jack – that was a fun one. Oh, by the way, I didn’t know the answer either!

Scott Otis was the first to send in the correct answer for the challenge! Congratulations to Scott and all the readers who got the answer right: Nathan Cripe, Tina Cooper, Jeffrey Dunne, James Berry, Kathy Berry, Jaime Thomson, Melissa Dye, Michele Delorenzo, Brian Yesutis, Cheri Palmisano, Carinne Kight, Danielle Murgia, Anne Hainsworth, Alicia Henderson, Wendy Ip, Jen Cerce, Noreen Rachuba and Katarina Whitmarsh. Each of you will be entered in the April winners’ drawing.
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Challenge #82: 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, April 23, by clicking on the box below. Please do not post answers using the Comment link at the bottom of this post.

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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!

Do you have a zoom lens for your digital SLR? Most people do as they tend to be purchased as a kit and the lens in the kit is usually a zoom lens either in the 18-55mm or 55-200mm range. Maybe you got both or have one with a different range.

Besides the advantage of having a variable range of focal lengths, zoom lenses can be a lot of fun in creating the Zoom Effect. The best way to do the Zoom Effect is to use a tripod and set your camera in Aperture priority mode. You want to set the aperture to give a long shutter speed. Something like f/16, f/22 or f/32 if your lens goes out that far and starting at the smallest focal length of the lens.

In the example below, I took a photo of the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney's Marketplace. This photo was taken at 1 second shutter speed, an aperture of f/16 and ISO of 200 at a focal length of 110mm using my Nikon 18-200mm VR lens.

Rainforest Cafe sign in Downtown Disney.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1s, f/16, 200 ISO, 100mm Focal length

Here's where the fun comes in. On this next shot, I set the aperture at f/32 which gave me a shutter speed of 3 seconds. Starting at a focal length of 18mm, I tripped the shutter and quickly and smoothly zoomed the lens out while the shutter was open. By the time the shutter closed, I had zoomed out to a focal length of 135mm. The results as you can see, give a great effect of the sign jumping right out at you.

Rainforest Cafe sign zoomed in at Downtown Disney.
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 3s, f/32, 200 ISO, 18 to 135mm Focal length

Pretty neat, eh? The Exif data will only show the final focal length when the shutter closes but I knew where I started from. You can also start at the long end of the zoom lens and zoom to a lower one. I'll leave that to you as an exercise. Leave a comment below if you want to share your results.

I have found it best to keep your subject simple when doing this. Too many subjects and it gets hard to tell what you are taking a picture of. This is great to do in low light and especially with artificial lights like the sign I used above. The link above will give you more tips and ideas on how to use the Zoom Effect.

If you really want to have some fun with photography at Walt Disney World, give abstract photography a try. It’s a perfect place to find all kinds of interesting shapes and colors. So, just what is it that makes a photo abstract? If the first thing you notice is the shape, the lines, the texture or the color rather than being able to identify what it is a photo of, then it fits the definition of abstract. Abstract photography leaves more to the imagination and helps you concentrate on texture, form and color rather than the bigger picture. This week, Lisa, Scott and I will share a few of our abstract interpretations.

Copyright © 2008 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D300, 18-200VR lens, 1.6s shutter, f1

This is the Cirque du Soleil tent in Downtown Disney. If you’ve seen this tent, you know that it is just massive. I decided to focus my attention on just a small bit of it and this is what I ended up with. I know abstract photography is not for everyone. If you give it a try though, you may find that you like it more than you thought you would – I did!

Copyright © 2008 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D300, 18-200VR lens, 1/40s shutter, f3.8, ISO 500

I know it might not seem like it, but this be my Pic of the Week for shops, Matey! This gruesome trio will greet you as you enter the World of Disney store at Downtown Disney. They are in the pirate section of the store – imagine that!

Cap'n Jack's and Rainforest Cafe restaurants at Downtown Disney Marketplace.
Nikon D70/18-70G, 1/250s, f/8, 200 ISO, +0.3 EV, 56mm Focal Length

Any time you can take pictures during the Golden Hour of the day, they just have a wonderful look about them. Downtown Disney Marketplace was the first area in Lake Buena Vista Disney developed and has grown to include Pleasure Island (or what is left of it) and Disney's West Side. Given my other Walt Disney World hobby, I tend to include restaurants in a lot of my photography. So, I thought it fitting to use this as my selection for this week's Disney Pic of the Week theme on Downtown Disney.

Ready for Christmas yet? Shopping all done? Gifts wrapped? Yeah, me neither. Here is something you can start doing at Walt Disney World today. Taking pictures of the fabulous Christmas decorations in the themeparks and resorts. With more coming by the end of November with the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios, Christmas parades and special events held all through the holiday season.

How best to capture the millions of lights Disney Imagineers use is our topic for today and I have a some tips for you. Let's start with something people often overlook as it gets dark so early in November and December. Take photos of lighting displays during the magic hour after sunset when the sky and lights become balanced. Though it's not a Christmas display, the photo of the Planet Hollywood sign demonstrates what I am talking about here. I used AWB (Automatic White Balance) here while others will say to switch to a Tungsten or Incandescent white balance for best results. A tripod would be useful but I get good results shooting down to a quarter second (1/4s) with image stabilized lenses. The key is to wait for the sky and lights to come together. Keep taking shots until you start to see the results you are looking for. The provided link will go into more detail.

Now you are saying to yourself, who has time to wait for the light at Disney besides it's mostly full night when you are there. The lights are so pretty, there's got to be a way to photograph them. Well, you are right. Below is a technique you can use called "Dragging the Shutter". This technique is used a lot in wedding photography to allow for room lighting to be seen instead of stark dark backgrounds in large banquet halls.

Nikon D70/18-70D, 1/30s, f/4.5, ISO 400, +0.6 EV, 46mm Focal length

On camera and external flash are normally synced at shutter speeds between 1/60 and 1/250 of a second. When you use a flash and purposely use shutter speeds below the normal flash sync speed, it allows more time for ambient light to be captured by the camera's sensor. This gives a more pleasing and natural look to the photograph as you see on the right hand photo of the Donald Duck topiary I took at Epcot during Mousefest 2006. Both photos were taken the same way except for the use of flash. This can also be called Slow Sync in your camera manuals.

Using flash for photos of large areas is not practical. For best results, we have to use long shutter speeds (of less than 1/60th of a second), high ISO speeds of 800 or greater and find a way to stabilize our cameras. In the photo of Main Street USA, I was able to do all three.

Magic Kingdom's Main Street USA all decked out for Christmas.
Nikon D70/18-70D, 1/20s, f/4.2, ISO 1600, +0.3 EV, 35mm Focal length

As you can see, I am using a very high ISO of 1600 (my camera's highest available), a shutter speed of 1/20 of a second and I stabilized the camera by leaning against a garbage can and using my elbows to form a human tripod. I took several images to make sure I had a few which would come out sharp. If I had a real tripod, I could have used even slower shutter speeds and smaller apertures but I'll leave that discussion for another time.

By using these tips both at Disney or at home, your Christmas light photography will make your friends and family envious of your talents. Click this link for more tips on capturing the spirit of Christmas photographically. That's my gift to all of you!

This was Challenge #57:

And here's the answer:

Copyright © 2008 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 1/400s shutter, f8

Right on! There are a lot of people really paying attention to Disney’s details! This photo was taken outside of the LEGO Imagination Center in Downtown Disney. Here, LEGO Dad is videotaping the LEGO Dragon.

Everyone who guessed the LEGO store and Downtown Disney will be entered in the October winners’ drawing this week - and those of you who told me the photo came from the camera will be entered in the drawing twice!

Sharon Pierce was the first to send in the correct answer this week! Congratulations to Sharon and all the readers who got the answer right: Sharon Dale, Neil Taylor, Bryan Timko, Ed Aleszczyk, Angie Young, Debbie Hudson, Lesley Strawderman, Cameron Love, Scott Cullen, Belicia Dawson, Mike M., Brianne, Laura Tarbet, Danielle Murgia, Willie Tople, Holley Blyler, Caitlin Barringer, Debra Kuklinski, Chloe Williams, Jeff Schoeling , Michael Thrash, Alex Karr, Zachary Dameron, Amanda Campbell, Jessica Reed, Amy Sooy, Eric Hoffman, Lisa Hoffman, Kelley H, April Haddock, Chris Bertelmann, Michael Gainey, Brandy White, Alicia Henderson, Joanna Snow, Kameo Crea, Tim Rachuba, Cam Lange, Teresa, Gretchen Freudenheim, Baines Family, David Uchtman, Lee Anastasi, Amy Wenzel, Zach C, Jared Orth, Jennifer Schwing, Christine Mckay, Jamie Poynton, Glenn Meyer, Nancy, Lynn Barber, Heather Stevens, Kim Garabed, Angie Winter, Mary Jo Collins, Bethany Mattiuz-king, Carinne Kight, Heather Coursen, Norma Hatfield , Ruth Cookson, Jodi Cook, Cheri Palmisano, Cheryl Costello, Noreen Rachuba, Theresa Rucando, Jen Cox, Carla Leger, Allison Lowry and Nathan Firth.

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Challenge #58: 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, October 23, by clicking HERE!
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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!

Copyright © 2007 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 1/80s shutter, f4.5, ISO 800

There is no such thing as a simple sign in Disney World. My Pic of the Week is the postal and shipping area in Disney’s Wonderful World of Memories store at Downtown Disney. I’m notoriously bad at writing but this just makes me want to send someone a postcard!

A Very...

Nikon D70/18-70DX, 1/125s, f/5.6, 200 ISO, +0.3 EV, 18mm Focal Length

The Downtown Disney Christmas Tree from 2006. Selective coloring and graphics done in Picnik.com.

Here's wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday. I will not have an entry for next week but will be back in the New Year! If you get any cool photography stuff under your tree you'd think others would like to hear about, drop me a line!

Last month I did an entry on Props at Walt Disney World and asked people to send in their favorites. By far the most popular ones where all the different and fun hats you find in shops throughout the resort. As an example, my daughter is trying on a very patriotic hat in The Chapeau, a hat shop on Magic Kingdom's Main Street. This shop can monogram almost any hat and, of course, Mickey Ears for you while you wait. Hats found in World Showcase are a big hit with our Photo Blog readers from French Berets, Sombreros in Mexico, Coolie hats in China to Homburg style hats in Germany. The little outdoor shop at Rafiki's Planet Watch in Disney's Animal Kingdom has all kinds of safari hats. My daughter just had to model one for me.

Safari hat. © Scott Thomas Photography 2007
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/60s, f/4.5, 200 ISO, -0.3 EV, 40mm focal length

Other popular suggestions for props was RC Car from Toy Story at the All Star Movies resort, the larger than life Troll in Norway's Puffin's Roost shop, a Cinderella statue at the Marketplace in Downtown Disney similar to Buzz Lightyear I mentioned in the first Disney Prop entry and the Mickey sculpture at the Contemporary resort with Mickey ears perfect to sit kids in.

Would like to continue this topic so if you have a favorite Walt Disney World prop, I'd like to hear about it! Just leave a Comment using the link below.

Copyright © 2007 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50/18-200VR, 0.002s shutter, f5.6

It doesn’t take many hamburgers, funnel cakes and chicken fingers for me to start craving the fresh “California Cuisine” offered at Wolfgang Puck Café at Downtown Disney’s Westside. I’ve never been disappointed with a meal that I’ve had there. On my last trip I had a very tasty broiled halibut that was cooked to perfection. I also like their pizzas and Sushi.

In addition to their regular dining room and outdoor seating, Wolfgang’s has an open kitchen with counter seating and a sushi bar. I often go to Disney World on solo trips to take photos and I find Wolfgang Puck’s a very comfortable place to dine alone. It’s also one of the restaurants on the Dining Plan.

For a more upscale experience, check out The Dining Room at Wolfgang Puck’s (upstairs).

Quick Tip: This photo was taken just as the sun began to rise. The best light for taking photos is at sunrise and sunset. During the middle of the day the sun is often too harsh and can wash out the colors in your photograph. When the sun is low in the sky it gives a soft glow to your photos that is very pleasing. Even if you’re not really a morning person you can still get great morning shots at Disney World. This was taken from the balcony of my room at Saratoga Springs while I was still in my jammies!