Happy Holidays from Walt Disney World (Plus A Survey)
This photo is from the “finale” of the Celebrate the Season Cinderella Castle stage show that is performed during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Every year we go to the party, we end up watching this show twice. Not just because I really enjoy it, but because the first time I usually forget about the fireworks and miss that shot. This year, I remember, and got fireworks shots from both shows (one close-up, one zoomed out like this–the photo in this post is from 2011).
Survey!
That said, the real point of this post is not the photo, it’s getting some feedback from you. I just feel I’d be cheating you if I expected something of you but didn’t “give” something in return…even though I know everyone’s favorite hobby is completing surveys!
I often joke that I’m going to convert this blog to posts about dachshunds or other odd things, since I have unilateral control over the content that gets posted. The dachshund part is obviously a joke, but the unilateral control part is not. From what I can tell, this is not the norm in regularly-updated blogs. Most have a slew of writers or some sort of editorial board. A lot of readers have volunteered to write guests posts for this blog, which is very flattering, but my response has always been (and will always be) “Thanks, but no thanks. This is a ‘personal’ blog.” I firmly believe that’s the right approach for this blog, but the problem with my totalitarian regime is that sometimes I get tunnel vision. I write for myself, and miss topics about which I might enjoy writing and that might appeal to a lot of readers, but that I just don’t consider.
Anyway, to that end, over the next few weeks I’m going to be soliciting some feedback to determine what kind of content you might like to see. You all invest a lot of time reading my inane ramblings, so I feel that it’s only fair to give you at least some say in the content that appears on the site.
Today, we’re going to start with some photography feedback, which I created to help me determine what kind of photography content (and brands) I should focus on with my posts. To outsiders (those who find this blog via Google), it’s probably odd that a Disney blog has so much serious photography content. However, photography content is the most requested and most popular content on here by far. The questions we receive via email are 9 times out of 10 about photography. (The next closest topic is Sarah’s dresses…seriously.) So, until I launch a spin-off photography blog, expect to see photography content on here!
For those of you who are into or interested in learning more about photography, I’d really appreciate it if you could complete this short survey: Photography Survey
I did the survey. Had to put much of my stuffs in Others since I own a Samsung NX10.
Might get a nx1000 for my girlfriend who want to get going in photography to ( after years of watching me ).
I love the mirrorless camera, made the switch to it. I think it’s the future and I really like what samsung is bring to the table right now.
As for your website, dont change a thing. I love disney, I love photography. You mix them up together and I love it.
I’m not enough of a camera guy to provide any feedback on the photography side of things, but I do really enjoy the really gorgeous pictures you post on here — it’s what brought me to the site in the first place — and really enjoy the site content as a whole. There’s plenty of web sites out there that essentially report the same Disney news, but I think you’ve found a good niche here with the travel tips/review approach, particularly against the backdrop of your images. That said, the occasional photography-related post that is directed to those of us that are basically trying to take the best pictures we can with our phones might broaden the appeal, because right now, all of it goes completely over my head. 🙂
Tom:
If you ever need a DSLR greenhorn to test out your tips at WDW, I’m here in Florida for you! I live about 40 minutes from the parks and go almost every other weekend. Well, I was there three times last week. I just bought this Olympus a few months ago and am struggling to get good photos. It might be good reading for your blog to see how I go from film to digital. So far I’m not doing very well… But I’m so glad I found your blog, and the ND filter! Some cool fireworks shots have been captures thanks to you!
Tom – your survey response percentage is probably pretty close to the overall breakdown in DSLR market share.
The whole reason I found this blog is because of my interest in photography. I purchased my T2i (I liked the D3100, but the Canon felt better in my particular hand and I liked the higher-resolution LCD) after loosing a P&S at Disney and realizing that I was pretty unhappy with the photo quality anyway. (>500 shots at Disney, probably 4 that would be suitable for printing).
There are many Disney websites out there, and many photography websites out there. I like that yours is a blend of the two. Plus I enjoy looking at your pictures. Without trying to be a flatterer, your pictures of Disney are as good or better than any I have ever seen.
Love the camera reviews (you helped me with my brand new Canon- which just took a trip to NYC for ‘testing’. haha!)but wish a little more ‘lingo for dummies’ would be employed…
Otherwise, huge fan of your site, I dig the photos (GORGEOUS!) and the reviews. Would like to see “now this is what you can REALLY do with your new toy” posts.
More photos are never, ever a bad thing.
DLP, please? 🙂
Ditto Samantha!
Have a DSLR; had it 2 years now and I use it the same as a point and shoot: always on auto.
Just wanted to say I’m happy with the blog the way it is. 🙂
Will do the survey at home since google docs is blocked here in the office. (communists, obviously)
Not only are your bosses communists, but a lot of my readers are, too. WOW at the number of Canon cameras in the results. Probably 55% Canon, 35% Nikon, 10% Other right now!
I don’t mind the photography because you do it so well. I do wish you did a sort of “photography for dummies” post. All your lingo is lost on me!
The mission statement of this blog is: “To intimidate and confuse.” 😉
Seriously, though, point well taken. I will add that to my list of things to cover in the future.
Must be a Hoosier thing because that’s my life motto too 😉 I do love your site as it is though!
Will do Tom! As I’m sure you know already…GREAT SHOT!!!!!!!!!