OCR Around Disney / Discuss

Joshua Sudock: AroundDisney.com says:

Hey there!

My name is Joshua Sudock and I'm a staff photographer for the Orange County Register newspaper in Orange County, CA. I'll be one of the photographers critiquing you submissions.

So, here are some of the things I’ll be looking for (And, yes, I know that most of these should go without saying):

• No vulgar gestures or nudity.

• Please obey all Disney and Knott’s safety guidelines and instructions when you’re out shooting.

• Try to capture the spirit of your visit. In other words, pick images that tell stories and communicate emotion (whether it’s the frustration of standing in line for 90 minutes on a 98-degree day or the joy on your child’s face as they step off their first “big kid” ride.

• I’ve always tried to make photos that haven’t been seen before. Try not to copy someone else’s ideas. Be original and show the world iconic structures and moments in ways we’ve never seen before.

• Eliminate unnecessary/distracting elements. As you’re shooting, think about more than the smiling face in your frame – see everything your camera sees and try to eliminate elements that distract from your story (i.e. – If your goal is to show the your daughter’s first encounter with Snow White, then there’s no need for us to see the sweaty guy from Kentucky’s beer belly hangin’ out of his tank top off to the right of Snow White). Simply move to the left or right, up or down, nearer or farther from your subject to include or exclude background elements.

• Avoid Photoshop tricks! I know, it’s tempting to clone out the distracting light pole that's intruding on your near perfect masterpiece, but please don’t do it. As a journalist … I’m a stickler for visual honesty. I’ve got a pretty eagle eye and I can spot most modifications. You may be able to sneak a few past me, but please don’t even try. Use those little frustrating trees and flagpoles as a learning tool. The more of em’ you get in your good frames … the more vigilant you’ll become about avoiding them in the future – you’ll become a better photographer. Photoshop is an easy way, in this sense, to become a sloppy photographer and irrelevant as a visual storyteller.

• We do NOT advocate stalking! Please, train your cameras on YOUR family and friends. That photogenic family (who you don’t know) from Indiana didn’t plan a trip to Disneyland to become the butt of your jokes – respect that, please. This’ll make it easier for you to write an honest, meaningful caption too. Which brings me to the next bullet-point …

• Captions are going to count. Make sure your caption includes names and a story. I’ll be looking for the: who, what, when, where, why and how’s.

• Most important – HAVE FUN! A great photographer who submits great photos all the time is nice, but why spend time at a theme park if you’re not there to enjoy yourself?! Make your trips to southern California’s amusements about your family, friends and fun times – not about satisfying a self-imposed photo quota. I promise, you’ll make better pictures and get more exposure on our site and in our paper if you just relax and let your pictures reflect true-life experiences – you’ll have more fun too - don't force it.

The theme parks here in Orange County are like a playground for me as a professional photographer — unique architecture, fancy-shmancy light displays and strange happenings everywhere you look. I look forward to reviewing your images alongside Adam and others.

Good hunting!

- Josh

PS - I've uploaded a few photos I like from the last 3 years covering the resort: I'm Around_Disney on Flickr.