Picture This!

I last left off having watched Yvette, the French Canadian maid entertain folks in the Main Salon at the Adventurer's Club. To read Act One, click here.

Once I got back to the Treasure Room, I spent time chatting some more with friends and then made my way over to the bar to try and purchase a special Kungaloosh plastic cup. During my previous visits I was under the impression that the Adventurer's Club mugs and cups were only used to serve alcoholic beverages and yours truly doesn't drink. So when I was advised that one could order soda and get the cup I was elated and made my way to the bar.

Gingerale in an AC Kungaloosh cup: $4.00
Tip: $1.00
My happiness: Priceless

The show in the library had just filled up so my pal Mark Goldhaber said this was the time to line-up for the next show which some of us thought to be the Hoopla (HOOPLA!) but turned out to be Sugar Snapp's very entertaining Maid's Sing-Along.

Sugar Snapp mingles with guests waiting to see her show. She's quite the character.

I'd like to point out if I may that it was a very kind and (no pun intended) sweet gesture that each person found on their chair when entering the library. Inside a shear red drawstring bag was a packet of sugar and a note that read:

Sugar is just pixie dust that makes life sweeter!
THANKS for all the sweet times!
Xo,
Sugar Snapp

After learning all about grey squirrels, there wasn't a chance in...the World...of getting into the final show that night so I made my way out onto the street only to find a doorman summoning people into Comedy Warehouse. Wahoo! It was a great show as always and they kept me laughing the whole time.

Time to head back to the hotel. Awww shucks!

Saturday, the day no fan wanted to reach. The day Pleasure Island and all of it's neon lights, thumping bass, cheers, first dances, smiles, and boisterous laughter came to an end. Two friends of mine planned on getting there in the early evening as Adventurer's Club opened at 6pm. In hindsight, I should have followed suit because I didn't get into AC until Sunday morning but I'm jumping ahead of myself.

Upon arriving at PI, I grabbed some quick shots of the line at Mannequins, the band playing outside, those trying to get into 8-Trax, and as I neared the exit of Comedy Warehouse, comedian/actor Paul Vogt.

Frankie and the West End Boys keep rockin'.

The news going around was that AC was at capacity and people were only allowed in when others left and anyone who wanted to could stay there from open to close. I feared never getting in sort of gave up, another mistake. I got in line for Comedy Warehouse and my friend Robin joined me. It was a GREAT, SUPER, FANTASTIC performance and I was happy to have witnessed all the antics and as a bonus, got to see one last show co-starring Lisa.

With fingers crossed and wishes for a miracle, Robin and I joined the ever-growing queue to get into the Adventurer's Club. Very slowly, people would trickle out and those of us waiting to get in applauded and cheered them. A few of the actors came outside during the night to meet and greet with friends and fans. To me, that says a great deal about how much these folks love their jobs and appreciate each and every person who has ever climbed the highest of mountains, skiid polar ice caps, and proved his/her recklessness, bravery, and most certainly their loyalty.

When shooting in low light or after dark at Walt Disney World, I have stressed the use of a tripod to get the best results. However, I understand it is not easy to do so when traveling to and at the parks.

If you have a digital SLR camera, I have another alternative for you called Da Grip. It's explained in this video by National Geographic photographer, Joe McNally, on how to hand hold a camera to get you one or two extra stops. I can usually hand hold my camera down to about 1/30th of a second with my lenses before I learned this technique. Now, I have successfully gotten good results down to 1/8th of a second which is two extra shutter stops as Joe explains in the video. On my next trip to WDW, I'll be putting this technique to the real test!

You might remember I reviewed Joe's book, The Moment it Clicks, earlier this year. The video is 7 1/2 minutes long.

Cinderella's Castle during a performance of Wishes .
Nikon D70/18-200VR, 1/15s, f/3.5, ISO 200, 18mm Focal Length

In reviewing all my digital photos of fireworks at Walt Disney World, I didn't have many to go over. I keep saying I'm going to bring a tripod one of these days. On my last trip, I used a Disney furnished quadpod (you would call it a trash can) to capture this moment during a performance of Wishes as my Disney Pic of the Week for Fireworks.

I remember reading all about Pleasure Island when I was planning a trip with friends in 1995. It all sounded so exciting with its various themed clubs but we never made it there and I was sorely disappointed. During various trips that came later, mostly alone, I made an effort to explore Pleasure Island but only got as far as 8 Trax, Rock 'n Roll Beach Club, Comedy Warehouse, and the infamous Adventurer's Club. The last two clubs quickly became my favorites as I love improv, singing, and comedy.

I took my cousin Matt to the Adventurer's Club a few times between 2004 and 2007 and it just wasn't his cup of tea. Now, it wasn't the shows but some guests who freaked him out. We did make into a show in the library during a birthday trip and his friend Greg was brought up on-stage to do the Fax Machine Dance. Greg is 6'6" and at the time was 17 years old. The maid who brought him there turned red and referred to herself as Mrs. Robinson when she realized she'd just picked up a teenager. GOOD TIMES!!

Over time I came to pick out favorites at Comedy Warehouse; Mary and Lisa. I didn't have faves at the Adventurer's Club and I think it's because I never saw all of the shows but I did recognize several actors which gave me a wonderful feeling of comfort.

On Wednesday, September 24th, Barrie and I carried our tripods and cameras around Pleasure Island staying outside of the clubs. Things were spookingly quiet for a nightspot that's about to close despite letter-writing campaigns and petitions.
The calm before the storm.

No line, no waiting at Mannequins.

On Thursday night, I returned to PI alone in hopes of hitting the dance clubs to see their interiors at the very least but instead I opted to revisit the Adventurer's Club. My friend told me that Lou Mongello might be there and I figured he may be accompanied by his wife and friends whose company I enjoy. Once inside the Club (pronounced as if it was in Spanish), one could see the crowd downstairs filled the room. Making my way downstairs I poked my head into the Treasure Room and sure enough there was Lou and friends. YES! People I know!

The place was at full capacity on 9/25/08.

Emil carried the Balderdash Cup around and received many a "Congratulation".

A bit of info that is pointless but all the same quite funny to me. As you've seen, the Adventurer's Club was quite hopping and so when I made my way to the Ladies Room I feared the impending line. Much to my surprise, there was no line. Wow! OK so anyhoo, when I left the loo, I saw one of the maids and she passed right by me. I was so happy to see an actor up close that I let out a "YAY!" Well, back into the room I went and quite luckily found myself just to the side of the small platform where Yvette, the French Canadian maid took to the microphone.

As previously stated, I didn't have a favorite actor/actress as of yet but after a few sung notes and jokes, all that changed. Too bad I didn't stay put for her entire performance but I felt like those who visit the Club far more often than myself deserved to have a better view.

The theme for this week’s Pic of the Week is Fireworks! The fireworks shows in Disney parks are truly spectacular events. This week, Lisa, Scott and I will be sharing some of our favorite photos from the breathtaking fireworks displays that Disney produces.

Copyright © 2008 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 2.4s shutter, f11

This photo was taken at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, during Hallowishes. I like standing right in front of the Partners statue, where the Photopass photographers set up shop, to photograph the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. The backlighting of the castle and the fireworks gives me a nice silhouette of the statue from this spot.

Here’s a tip. It’s usually pretty crowded there at the hub, but if you set up your tripod right next to the Photopass photographer’s tripod, people will be less likely to stand right in front of you or trip on your tripod legs. Give it a try next time you are there.

How to Photograph Fireworks

This was Challenge #55:

And here's the answer:

Copyright © 2008 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 1/160s shutter, f6.3

Getting a hot dog at Casey’s Corner on Main Street USA is a “must do” whenever I am in the Magic Kingdom. You can always find this guy hanging out in front just waiting for someone to holler, “Batter up!”

Scott Price was the first to send in the correct answer this week! Congratulations to Scott and all the readers who got the answer right: Aj Perras, Alicia Henderson, Allie Reckendorf, Allison Dibiase, Allison Meredith Lowry, Amber Keen, Amy Lucas, Angela Jones, Anna Mansfield, April Ramey, Barbie Lawless, Belicia Dawson, Brenda, Brian Petras, Brian Sherwin, Brian Yesutis, Bruce Arnold, Bruce Lawson, Cameron Love, Cari-ann Smith, Carol Donoghue, Caryn Schill, Chris And Alison, Chuck Sands, Colin And Katy Christenson, Damon Carter, Dan Record, Dana Schirnhofer, Danielle Destefano, Dave Cole, Debbie Hudson, Derek Carty, Diane Furtado, Dina Grassi, Double Family, Ed Nawrocki, Elizabeth Akerley, Emma Poprock, Erin Hammer, Erin Kubicki, Glenn Meyer, Heather Coursen, Heather Mcfall, Holley Blyler, Jackie K, Jared Orth, Jeanne Cundiff, Jen & Ansley, Jen Cox, Jen Norris, Jennie Connelly, Jennifer H., Jennifer Tremley, Joanna Snow, Joy Johnston, Jude Toups , Julie Fahrner, Kameo Crea, Katarina Whitmarsh, Kate, Kathy Francis, Kathy Lutz, Katie Rich, Kellie Harpel, Ken Fischler, Ken Kleiner, Kevin Cowdell, Kevin Toomey, Kim Garabed, Kristopher Nixon, Kye Layton, Leslie Dameron, Marcie Soderlund, Marie Phillips, Mark Trigg, Matthew Waga, Merrie Tesh, Michael Gainey, Michael Nanney, Michelle Buchecker, Michelle Whalen, Neil Taylor, Noreen Rachuba, Paul Amico, Paul Ignudo Jr, Penny Urell, Richard Nussbaum, Robin Fitts, Ron Harper, Ronni, Rusty Podbelski, Ryan Stevens , Sarah Steill, Scott Cullen, Scott Junkin, Shane Stack, Sharon Dale, Sharon Leitgeb, Sharon Powers, Shelly Ranney, Stuart Hale, Tammie Sparks, Theresa Rucando, Tim Rachuba, Tim Sayler, Tom Koval, Tom Linder, Tommy Carty, Trish Babler, Vicki Vaught and Wendy Snelgrove. Each of you have been entered in the October winners’ drawing.

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Challenge #56: Where in the world is this?

Do you know? Do you have a guess? Send in your answer, before the end of the day on Thursday, October 9, by clicking HERE!
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Everyone who sends in a correct answer to a Where in the World Challenge this month will be entered in a drawing at the end of the month for some special AllEars® goodies and a cool Disney book!

Replica of the Stave Church in Epcot's Norway pavilion.
Nikon Coolpix 995, 1/250s, f/5.2, 100 ISO

My entry for the Disney Pic of the Week on Architecture can be found in Epcot's Norway pavilion. The Stave Church is a replica of the Gol Stave church found in the Norwegian Folk Museum in Oslo, Norway. Don't forget, as the AllEars.net webpage will tell you, there's an exhibit inside where you'll learn about some very famous Vikings.

After having figured out a photographic naming system, organized digital photographs on our computer systems, learned about metadata and some powerful software to manage our growing library of photos, it's now time to learn how to edit them. I'm not talking about editing like in Photoshop, I'm talking about selecting the best photos from a typical day of creating photos at a place like Walt Disney World or anytime you come back to your computer with a new batch of photographs.

This process is referred to as rating. Since rating your photos is a very personal thing, I am going to tell you how I approach it to give you some ideas on how you might. I have chosen to use the Star Rating system which many software products support. Simply put, photos are rated from Zero Stars to Five Stars. How you use those Stars is up to you.

When I get a batch of photos from the Magic Kingdom, as an example, onto my computer and start reviewing them, I only use One Star for photos I want to keep for further review. Any photos I don't give a Star to will be deleted. These Zero Star photos are easy to spot. They are technically bad (focus off, exposure too dark or too light, blurry from too slow a shutter speed, etc.), compositionally bad (no subject, subject too small or too big, unflattering people expressions, background too busy, etc.) or for some reason the photo just doesn't look good to me. Again, it's very subjective and personal. For family and vacation photos I am not as picky as I would be for a wedding or portrait work. The picture of my kids with Stitch might be a bit overexposed but it's the only one I got so I'll choose to keep it.

After discarding the Zero Star photos, I'll go back and see what's left. I'll be more keen on rating photos above One Star this time. A photo gets Two Stars if it's technically solid with focus on the subject and excellent exposure. Sometimes I will drop the Star if what I thought I saw the first time doesn't hold up. Three Stars is given to photos I feel are the best of the lot. These photos are technically solid (if not nearly perfect) and have a great subject. Most of the photos I publish here are Three Stars or better. Currently, I don't use Four Stars but maybe you do or will. Five Stars is for my computer wallpapers. They are all landscape in orientation and outstanding (in my opinion) photographs for my computer's desktop.

Below is an example of one of my Five Star photographs of the Liberty Belle Riverboat leaving dock with waving guests aboard and the Haunted Mansion in the background. The photo is nicely composed, very colorful, tack sharp focus and well exposed.

The Liberty Bell Riverboat sets off on it's trip down the Rivers of America.
Nikon D70/18-70G, 1/250s, f/11, 200 ISO, EV +0.3, 31mm Focal length

Star Ratings is just one way to rate your photographs. Others use colors and numbers. I first used a rating system using numbers from 1 to 10 but found that too much to keep track of in my head as to what was a 4 versus an 6 or 7. I found this useful link of a professional photographer and how he uses the Star Rating system.

What system do you use to rate your photographs? I would like to know and do a follow up article on what others have found works for them.

Copyright © 2008 Barrie Brewer, Nikon D50, 18-200VR, 26s shutter, f8

Choosing a Pic of the Week for architecture was really hard! Walt Disney World is an amazing place to take architectural photos and I love that kind of photography. So let’s just say I have more than a few photos that would have worked for this week. Narrowing it down to just one was definitely a challenge. I ended up picking this night time photo of the Japan pavilion in Epcot for no other reason than it makes me remember being there.

It's time once again to peek inside my photo album. Although I hadn't followed a soap in years (after Ricky Martin left "General Hospital"), I thought it'd be fun to check out Super Soap Weekend at Disney's CA Adventure. Let's journey back in time to 2002 when Soap Opera Bistro still existed. All of the actors pictured are or were on "General Hospital."

One important thing I need to express is that these photos cannot be posted elsewhere, saved, printed or distributed in any manner.

Colton Scott portrays Nikolas Cassadine

Marissa Ramirez plays Gia Campbell

Left to right: John Ingle (Edward Quartermaine), Wally Kurth (Ned Ashton),, Jaime Ray Newman (Kristina Cassadine), Alicia Leigh Willis (Courtney Matthews), and Billy Warlock (AJ Quartermaine).

Rebecca Herbst as Elizabeth Webber

Michael Saucedo co-starred as Juan Santiago

Meeting the guy who played Ricky Martin's character's son was interesting because Michael Saucedo is older than Ricky Martin. Interesting casting.

Previous Photo Album - Character Masquerade