Page 30 - CelebrationsSpring2020

by Mike Billick
Photographing Day and Night
hotographing Disney can be fun whether you’re shooting during the day or at
night. For example, let’s start with Cinderella Castle. During the day, you can focus in on all of those great details and get some spectacular reflection shots (particularly on the bridge to Liberty Square). However, with that said, Cinderella Castle is a true photographic treasure at night, when it comes alive in an ever- changing rainbow of colors. The same thing can be said for Tomorrowland. It’s usually easier to photograph Tomorrowland during the day since you don’t have to be overly concerned with shutter speeds, ISO settings and the like. However, this is a land that truly comes alive at night, with bright neon lights and dazzling colors illuminating the entire land in a futuristic glow. However, capturing all of this beauty will require a little more work...though the results will be well worth it. You can apply this scenario to just about every location in Walt Disney World, so let’s talk about what each park has to offer both day and night.
Since we just spent a bit of time in the Magic Kingdom, let’s head on over to Epcot and talk about Spaceship Earth. During the day, it’s very easy to photograph this classic icon. No matter what your vantage point, you can always get a great shot of that silver sphere. But at night, it’s a whole different story! Spaceship Earth transforms into a dazzling futuristic kaleidoscope, bathed in brilliant hues of blues, purples, and oranges. As if that weren’t enough, those beams of light can be brought to prominence by using a longer exposure, making for a dramatic shot. During the day, Mission: SPACE makes for a great photo subject, but at night you can get really creative. I like to use a wide-angle lens to make sure I get everything in the frame. Also, don’t feel that you always have to center your image...it’s often a lot more interesting to stand off to the side so you can find an unusual angle.
Heading on over to the Animal Kingdom, there are two attractions that are equally beautiful during the day and night: the Tree of Life and Expedition Everest. When photographing the Tree of Life during the day, you can really focus in on all the carvings found throughout the Tree. The bright green leaves will really pop in contrast to the earth tones of the trunk and branches. But like the other park icons, the Tree of Life really comes alive at night. The Tree is aglow in a myriad of colors, and the projection shows give the Tree a whole new dimension. You really can’t go wrong whichever time of day you choose. Expedition Everest is one of those attractions, just like the Tree of Life, that you can photograph from multiples areas of the park. No matter what time of day though, my favorite place to photograph Everest is right across the lake. Not only does this location give you a great view of Everest, it’s also a great way to get that dramatic “water reflection” shot.
Finally, let’s head on over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the Chinese Theatre and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. The Hollywood Hotel is especially interesting because, depending on what time of the day you photograph it, you’ll capture two totally different moods. During the day, the outside seems to be an ordinary hotel, welcoming you in for a pleasant night’s stay. As the sun goes down however, this once- inviting hotel turns into a terrifying edifice. From the purplish-blue and orange lights to the frightening flashes of lightning illuminating the front of the Tower, this is sure to be a photo that will be a conversation piece in anyone’s portfolio. We’ll now head on over to the Chinese Theatre for a touch of Hollywood by day...and Hollywood glamour
Mike Billick is a graphic designer and photographer with a passion and love for Disney. He was very fortunate to have two great parents who took him and his brother, every year, to Walt Disney World as kids and with that, grew what he’d like to call an obsession for all things Disney. As Mike describes,“Every corner
you turn in this magical place is a memory of something special. To me, the feeling is like no other, which is why I enjoy sharing my love of Disney photography with others so they can relive all their “happy place” memories as well.”
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