Haven’t your memories always been a little better than reality? That’s why reality kind of sucks sometimes (!) and it’s fun to escape into our mind’s eye. This is what I try to achieve through this medium. I also try to achieve it in real life, where it often fails in spectacularly sad ways.
But maybe our memories are better than we give ourselves credit for. Here I was in Disneyworld, as young as ever, and seeing this real place with these real colors and tones. I don’t paint over these photos…all these colors are really there, and they are the same ones that are mapped into your brain for all time. As you all know, I contend that many of us remember in HDR…
Anyway, I am piecing together a new version of my HDR Tutorial to be released some time around 2009. I’m thinking about how the process is evolving and moving forward, and I look forward to sharing it with you all soon!
December 12th, 2008 23:40 | John Piercy
Ive never been to Disney, this image makes it look all that much more magical. Its got it all reflections foreground , background .
Wonderful !
December 12th, 2008 23:50 | Stuck In Customs
Thanks John! Glad you like it…
There is one photo series at Disney that I have always wanted to take. I have this theory that kids have just as much “happy time” and “sad time” per day, no matter where they are. That “happy time” is more INTENSE at Disney, but so is the sad time. You can always easily find crying kids everywhere… so I wanted to take dozens of pictures of kids crying at Disneyworld but no one else around me thought that would be a clever idea.
December 13th, 2008 00:13 | Craig (castevens12)
I think that is a (hilariously) awesome idea. It is also interesting on from psychosocial standpoint. I do agree that emotions are polarized when at Disney World — and I think it would be great to capture that emotion in a series of pictures.
I’m sure when some frustrated parents have kids who are being a pill around them, many wouldn’t want a camera around — but some parents are cool about it.
I say do it!
December 13th, 2008 01:13 | Claire
Yes – fantastic idea. You could also do a series of kids passed out in contortionist positions in the rental strollers…generally pushed around by haggard parents.
We’ll be there again in two years and I’ll let you know now that you can photograph the girls having meltdowns (as Craig indicated, I’d probably say get lost in the heat of the moment)!
December 13th, 2008 03:45 | Seim Studios
Killer shot man. I love HDR and always find you have plenty of inspiring shots to get me thinking… Gav
December 13th, 2008 04:18 | titter85
I do agree with Claire, Craig and you Trey…it’s great idea! You have to encourage yourself and do this fantastic series! Emotions are very difficult to catch, and what’s more people don’t usually express them in front of the camera…so be careful
I keep my fingers crossed for your idea and you!
Cheers
December 13th, 2008 07:09 | Gail
Beautiful picture of a magical world!! I’ve never been to Disney World, but was in Disney Land in the late 60’s. Even back then it was magical and I was in my early 20’s. Am I dating myself, lol. Great job, Trey. And your concept of capturing emotions is a real challenge, good luck with that!!
December 13th, 2008 08:05 | Stuck In Customs
Haha okay! Some adventurous people here to encourage my bad ideas… I like you guys!
December 13th, 2008 09:11 | DEE
You have made Disney more magical. But I still don’t know the identification of the bones. How do I find that?
December 13th, 2008 10:38 | Deb
Wonderful picture! And i really like your idea of shooting the emotional extremes you can find at Disney. I also say “GO FOR IT!!”
December 13th, 2008 12:08 | Bob the builder
It’s really amazing what somebody can do with a huge swamp in Florida, isn’t it?
December 13th, 2008 17:00 | DEE
What is the identification of those bones?
December 13th, 2008 18:15 | Stuck In Customs
Aha Dee! I did put the answer to those bones down in the comments of that bone post. It was an elk vertebra!
December 13th, 2008 19:31 | DEE
Thanks.
December 13th, 2008 23:53 | Jacques (fotofreq on flickr)
Beautiful shot, Trey! Extra special to me since I am writing this brief message at 12:12 AM from our hotel in Orlando, mere hours before we are set to check in to our 12 days of Christmas at Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney! Did not bring the big guns (DSLR) with us this trip as this is a family vacation and not a photo tour, but do have the G10 and a tabletop tripod that I will hope to harvest some decent HDRs. I REALLY look forward to your upcoming photo technique tutorial! Here’s hoping you do a video version like you did for the texture tutorial, which I will be only too glad to pay for!!
December 14th, 2008 07:35 | Eric Doggett
Great shot! We’re headed back there in January. I will look for this spot!
December 14th, 2008 08:52 | Stuck In Customs
Cool Eric – be sure to send a link to your pics along!
December 14th, 2008 19:00 | Helena
Hi. Been there once. Magical…but find your photo too harsh, like a cartoon, but maybe that´s the whole idea. Love your textures, which I have used quite a lot since I got them, thank you very much. Samples can be seen on my page. You should come to our islands and shoot, you will be amazed about the light and change of scenario every mile or two. Keep up the good work. All the best whishes from Helena on the Faroe Islands….(wherever that is)
December 15th, 2008 12:51 | Trey Ratcliff
Thanks! I’d love to come to the Faroe Islands… sounds great… thanks for your feedback. I can see how you might think it is a little harsh. It really depends on the mood when I captured the scene – so each one will come out a little different.