I’m trying out some adjustments to my editing techniques for sunset shots and my first reaction is it feels like the additional effort is worth it. I hope you like this one. Enjoy.
I decided to go back a few trips in my image catalog to some unedited Pandora shots. Pandora always offers some unique editing challenges. The alien-ness of the scene at least offers a bit of freedom with color balancing choices.
I’m a simple man. It rains. There’s a puddle. I take a photo of said puddle. EZ.
It’s Spaceship Earth and the sun is reflecting golden light off of it. Maybe it just needed a rainbow or majestic eagle to finish it off…
Eagle eyed Disney parks fans may be looking at this photo and thinking something looks different. Since I’m all about full disclosure when I change things in a photo let me explain… On our last trip in March we did the paid after-hours event, which was the perfect chance for us to ride Peter Pan multiple times with no wait. I was finally going to get all the shots I have missed over the years on this ride. Imagine my disappointment when I saw that the show lighting for this scene had an issue and was casting a horrible shadow across Wendy’s face. Looking at the photo later on my computer it was killing me that I would have to let this shot go to waste as I loved everything else about it, besides the shadow cast on her face. I made an attempt to fix it but the shadow was just too harsh and it wasn’t happening. I finally had the idea to take Wendy’s face from the next scene and transplant it into this scene. I kept the bow and carefully cut and aligned her face from the other scene into this one. I had to do a bit of color matching as well as shadow cleanup to match but I think it turned out great and I’m really happy with the final result.
Typically, when life gives me a puddle, I lay down in it and take a picture. When life doesn’t give any puddles however, sometimes you have to find the next best thing. These now extinct Leave a Legacy “monuments” at Epcot’s entrance do nicely with providing a bit of reflection and adding additional interest to the photo. Add in a beautiful sunset and a passing monorail and you’re in business.
I had the fisheye lens on when approaching this shot and the cast members were pushing for exit so I just went with it. I think it worked out as I like the framing of the rock work at the bottom that I probably would have excluded with a different lens.
At Disney, when it starts to pour rain, most people run for cover. I run out into the middle of the street and start taking photos with a big smile on my face. I love how the sign lights up the rain splashing off the ground here.
Today I’ve got another image from Hollywood Studios. It only rained for about 30 minutes, but this was legitimately the wettest I’ve ever been at Disney. Totally worth it though.
Also, this is the July 2021 image for my upcoming WDW Calendar. You can pre-order yours by clicking here.
My 2021 WDW Calendar is now available for pre-order. Early bird pricing of $20 is available until August 15th. The first 100 pre-orders will receive a special print FREE.