Exploring the Magic

Our journey into the Magic Kingdom continues…

To avoid getting photographically bored (gasp!) when you’ve been fortunate enough to visit this park as often as we have, you learn to notice the details. There isn’t much the Imagineers can get past me these days.

For example, while strolling down the sidewalk on Main Street, USA, I spotted a new addition embedded in the brickwork:

"Portal to Magic" (Portal Icon - Main Street USA, 'Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom' Interactive Adventure, Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World) Canon PowerShot SX40 HS, 9.9mm, F/4, 1/400s, ISO 100

At the time, I had no idea what I was photographing was part of the latest interactive adventure called “Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom”. This large bronze medallion tells game-players where magical portals are located within the park. Hmmmm, interesting… we will have to play this the next time we are there.

"La Fountaine de Cindrillon" (Cinderella Statue, Cinderella Fountain, Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World) Canon PowerShot SX40 HS, 17.3mm, F/4.5, 1/400s, ISO 100

 
 
 
 
  
Moving onward, we wanted to take a look at the progress being made over in the new expansion area that was formerly known as Toontown.

However, on our way there, Cinderella’s Fountain captured my eye and once again, I got down low and shot upwards so as to isolate the statue’s silhouette against the brilliant blue sky.

 
 
 
 
 
  
For reference, this is what the fountain looks like shot straight on from the front.

Cinderella Fountain

Now, you can’t photograph Cinderella and not think about Prince Charming. Good thing his carrousel was close by and looking very colorful, washed in the Florida sunshine:

"Oh, So Charming" (Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World) Canon PowerShot SX40 HS, 6.6mm, F/4, 1/1000s, ISO 100

Behind the carrousel we could catch glimpses of the construction taking place beyond the familiar Disney wooden barriers. Off in the distance, the new Beast Castle rises out of the rocky hillside:

"Beast Castle" (Beast Castle Under Construction, Fantasyland Expansion, Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World) Canon PowerShot SX40 HS, 69.2mm, F/5, 1/800s, ISO 100)

Many folks wonder why we keep returning to Disney time and time again, but for us, the answer is quite simple: “If they build it, we will come.”

Hellooooo, Sunshine!

That is exactly what we said when we escaped the snow for a few days and headed south to sunny Florida!

The weather couldn’t have been better and though it was difficult to pry ourselves away from the poolside lounge chairs, we did make it to the Magic Kingdom just as the ‘Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party’ was in full swing. Stopping for a few moments to join in the celebration, I saw the opportunity to snap some shots as the interactive stream of dancers, stilt walkers and character-filled floats rolled past us on Main Street, USA.

"Sebastian Rocks" (Sebastian, 'Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party', Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World) Canon PowerShot SX40 HS, 51.4mm, F/5, 1/800s, ISO 100)

Quickly scoping the situation, I thought the stunning blue sky would provide the perfect backdrop for the colorful caravan but achieving this angle with no distracting elements wasn’t going to be easy. So, while everyone else was ‘pumping up the party’, I positioned myself as low to the ground as I could get and aimed my lens upwards. 

I’d say Sebastian’s smiling mug was well worth the effort!

Falling for Frost

"Falling" (Ice Crystals on Window) Nikon D300, VR 105mm F/2.8G, F/4, 1/250s, -0.3EV, ISO 640, Nik Color Efex Pro 'Bicolor 2' Filter

What do you do when the outside temperature is 9 degrees F with a windchill factor of -4 degrees F? (Yikes, now that’s cold!)

Well, what I do (still dressed in my striped pajamas, I might add )

is start shooting the ice crystals that have formed on the window panes.

 

The trick to successfully capturing that feeling of utter cold is to change your camera’s white balance setting to incandescent (this will add a blue hue to the entire image). In post, I pushed the frosty mood further with the addition of a cool-toned bi-color filter.

 

Brrrrrr… if you need me, I’ll be tucked under the warm covers!

 

 

2011 Christmas House Tour

 
Hard to believe another Christmas come and gone. Sigh.

I always find the week after New Year’s to be a little sad since I know the time is near to take down the garlands, box up the ornaments and lights and put away all the dressings of the season.

But before we do, let’s make the magic last a wee bit longer with a tour of this year’s holiday decorations. I guess you could say my style is traditional with just a bit of whimsy for the part of me that refuses to grow up! Enjoy!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Please Note: Unfortunately, I cannot control how quickly the images advance. HOWEVER, if you hover your mouse over the slideshow area, a set of controls will display allowing you to STOP the auto advancement of the images. Then, you can use the forward and back arrows to scroll through the images at your leisure.

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

 

“When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny rein-deer.”

"A Magical Sight" (Cinderella Castle with Candy Cane Holiday Projection, Disney's Magic Kingdom) Canon SuperShot SX40 HS, 10.4mm, F/4, 1/25s, -1.7EV, ISO 1600

 

 “But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight -

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

~ exerpt, ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’, Clement Clark Moore

 
Much love, good health, happiness, peace and prosperity to you and yours, now, and all through the new year!

You better watch out

"He Knows" (Santa Claus Figurine, Grand Floridian Hotel & Resort, Walt Disney World) Nikon D700, VR 105mm F/2.8G, F/3, 1/40s, -0.3EV, ISO 800

 
 
 
 
 
 

Uh oh, for all you naughty ones out there, Santa’s watching and he doesn’t look happy!

Holiday slammer?

So this is what happens to naughty elves!

"Behind Bars" (Holiday Elves, Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, Disney's Hollywood Studios) Canon PowerShot SX40 HS, 4.7mm, F/2.8, 1/60's, -2.0EV, ISO 1000