An (@f/1.4) Day at Disneyland
The spirit, the charm, the beauty of Disneyland is not found in its rides. Indiana Jones Adventure, Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion are all nothing in isolation. The magic of Disneyland is found in its quiet moments, its meticulous details layered on over the course of some 60 years, its people who work hard to make it a special place for guests. The attractions may be construed as the meat of the experience, but if so, it takes brilliant chefs, careful seasoning, and delicious side dishes to turn that raw meat into a wonderful meal. Perhaps that’s a flowery metaphor, but I think it fits.
In a day spent at Disneyland, it’s so easy to breeze past what truly evokes a sense of magic about the place as we race from attraction to attraction. Yesterday, I headed to the park with a goal of slowing down, and breaking out of a photographic-funk I’ve been in. Over the past couple of months or so, I felt like I had lost a bit of my fire, simply going through the motions when I did take out my camera. Wanting to regain my intensity and creative spark, I set out with just my Nikon D600 and Sigma 35mm f/1.4 lens (no other lenses; no tripod–nothing else) and gave myself an assignment to capture something creative and interesting, with the ‘threat’ hanging over my head that I’d be doing a blog post today with 10 photos no matter what…so I had better come back with at least 10 shots that didn’t suck.
Going in, I had no idea what I was going to shoot, but after a couple of shots I decided to up the ante by focusing on those little details rather than E-Tickets, and also leaving my aperture at f/1.4 the entire time. I think the end result is a photo essay that differs in tone, style, and substance from my normal photography. Its a set of photos with which I’m pretty happy, if only because I think it ultimately did break me from that funk, and has me eager to head back and try some other new ideas.
With that, I’ll shut up and let the photos speak for themselves from my f/1.4 ‘Day at Disneyland’ yesterday…
Goodnight from my @f/1.4 Day in Disneyland!
Overall, I am very satisfied with the day and the collection of photos in aggregate. There are some misfires and some executional mistakes, to be sure, but I feel like I did pretty well with the challenge I gave myself, and also captured some of what makes Disneyland a truly special place. Hope you enjoyed the photo essay!
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Your Thoughts…
What do you think of these photos? Any favorites? Any that you don’t think ‘work’? Does this set convey the beauty and romanticism of Disneyland? Share your thoughts in the comments!
These photos are incredible!! I really love your photography and think these might be some of your best shots! I may a bit over excited as I’ll be heading to Disneyland next month. I can’t wait!! Will you be attending the 24 hour event there or at WDW?
My favorites were the Minnie statue (bokeh!!!!) and the girl in the canoe, as well as Tiana. The only one I didn’t “get” was the Haunted Mansion one. It felt a little…claustrophobic? I’m not sure how to describe it.
I always enjoy your photos AND text. Both are very well thought out. Cheers!
Great captures! I’m gonna take some inspiration from you for our Star Wars weekend trip mid May. Star Wars f/1.4!
do you live in california now?
Had to comment- this is my favorite post yet. These pictures really capture why I love Disneyland. Love the shot of Tiana and the second shot of the Mark Twain. Great work!
Nice shots! Love your photography and your blog!
Great photos Tom. I was pleased to see the castle in its 60th glam! My wife and I are taking the kids in October. Excited to see whats in store.
Thank you!
You accomplished your goal with these photos. These are my favorite kind of Disneyland photos, the ones that aren’t trying to sell me the experience, or brag about a good time. These are the kind that show what Disneyland is to me; a place that, while hectic and crowded most of the time, offers a place of quiet reflection if you know where to look. For me, and apparently for you too, a great Disneyland is as much about the in between moments as it is abiut the rides and characters. Great job, Mr. Bricker, I always look forward to your Disneyland posts.
These photos are so beautiful! How did you get the dusk/evening ones so clear without the use of a tripod?
These are such beautiful pictures! I have always enjoyed your blog and looking at all the amazing photos you take! I once saw you at the Beach Club in Walt Disney World but was to shy and unsure if I should have approached you tell you just that. Thank you for capturing the magic and sharing it with all of us!!
Great shots, my favorite is the one of the pinocchio very creative perspective.
I think you photography funk did you some good. These are some of the most creatively inspired photos I’ve seen you take. Very nice indeed.
I think the “threat” to myself that I was doing a post today with at least 10 photos regardless, so I better take some good ones gave me exactly the sense of urgency I needed. I’m overly competitive…even if most of the time that “competition” is really just in my head.
Tom – Inspiring work, as always. As an amateur, it’s nice to see a pro like yourself working through a photo-funk. I’m headed to WDW in a few weeks and this essay definitely gives me some ideas to try during my stay. Thanks for your passion and creativity!
Love these! The one of the CM leaning down with the balloons smiling at the little girl is ADORABLE! Great moment there. I’ve been eyeing this lens (for Canon) for a while. Is this the Art lens? I couldn’t tell from the link, but it’s the same price as the Art, so I figured.
Yeah, this is the Art version. Well worth the money, in my opinion. A really nice lens.
Beautiful shots Tom. I particularly love the candid shots that show people enjoying the magic of park (The girl with the balloons and the Minnie ears on the canoe). Also love the shot of Tiana looking out at the river boat. Such a great photo! I am definitely going to try get more “people shots” next time I am at Disneyland Resort later this year.
Those are 3 of my favorites, also. I wanted to snap more of both Tiana and the girl with the balloons, but I would have felt creepy standing around for those photos, so I just quickly swooped in, fired off a few shots, and then walked away. With the Tiana shot, the lamppost bugs me, but I still really like the shot. I think the Mark Twain in the background totally makes it.
See, I love the lamppost in the Tiana shot! It sets the scene for me.
The evening shots are incredible. Wonderful work!
Great shots! I especially loved the shot of Tiana; it captured a great deal of emotional depth.
I also love the composition of the late-afternoon Mark Twain photo. I felt like I was transported back in time and was sitting on the river bank, watching the big paddlewheeler steam slowly down river.
Great post – thanks for sharing with us. I’d say mission accomplished.
For that Mark Twain shot, I literally ran from the entrance of Frontierland up to my spot for the shot to get it before it disappeared around the corner. I was really lucky with that one!
Do you edit your picture or are they that amazing? I’m an amateur photographer and can never seem to get that feeling of beauty and story that your pictures possess. I purchased Understanding Exposure after reading your blog. Thanks!
You will find very few photographers who ‘publish’ photos straight out of camera. That’s been true since the dark room days and is true today. In my case, all of my shots are taken in ‘raw’ mode, which is essentially an unpolished digital negative–you have to edit those. If you shoot in JPG, the camera does some editing immediately to make the shots pop a bit. Most of these are minimally edited in Adobe Camera Raw.
Loved them as always
Fantastic shot with the balloon vendor & “Minnie”. That’s my department I work in so I’m a bit biased. Love it!
Do you know that Cast Member? If so, feel free to share. She has a beautiful smile!
Love it! I really enjoy looking at photography that employs a shallow depth of field and creative composition. Though I am disappointed to only see one goat shot in the mix.
Yeah, I had to restrain myself with the goat shots this time. 😉