Take Me to the Drive-In (Explored)

    Said it before, will say it again, it doesn’t get any better than the themeing of this restaurant. Pure awesomeness.

    Another hand-held 5X HDR. As well as the D3s does in low light, when you push it to this extreme – naturally you’re going to have some noise. And I did. So I smeared it. I’m pretty happy with it beings I didn’t have to bother with setting up a tripod.
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    Sci-Fi Dine-in Theater, Echo Lake, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort

    Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you're having a Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah day!
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    This picture made it to Flickr Explore November 1, 2011 - #271 - thanks everyone!

    Comments and faves

    1. ★

      artland, jrtce1, Vaillancourt Photography , Kiki FL, and 145 other people added this photo to their favorites.

    2. artland (19 months ago | reply)

      Congratulations!
      This is a wonderful shot!
      You are invited to post it to:


      artland

    3. Eugene1959 (19 months ago | reply)

      I totally agree with you. The theming is outstanding and the food is good to. Great shot.

    4. Kiki FL (19 months ago | reply)

      One of my favorite shots of one of my favorite restaurants on property. Faved, faved, faved!

    5. Silver1SWA (Ryan Pastorino) (19 months ago | reply)

      This place is a lot of fun, but I was disappointed with the menu. The theming though is AWESOME and so is this shot. So clean and done to perfection. Instant fav!

    6. Peter E. Lee (19 months ago | reply)

      Fantastic! Easily one of the best shots I've ever seen of this restaurant. The light is just amazing and I love the leading lines and poses of the diners.

    7. ohhector (19 months ago | reply)

      wow this is the best shot I've seen at this place yet! it looks like a sleek promo shot ;)

    8. Fab05 (19 months ago | reply)

      Amazing capture Joe. The detail is just outstanding.

    9. Crebs08 (19 months ago | reply)

      Wow this is so sharp and crisp, great job. Loving the color.

    10. wdwSteve (19 months ago | reply)

      Nice job looks good to me. I always enjoy eating there

    11. AZ Socks (19 months ago | reply)

      I took some pictures of Sci-Fi Dine In when I was there two weeks ago, and they don't compare to the quality of yours.

      I only DREAM that I could take photos as well as you do!!!

    12. Natalie Bell (19 months ago | reply)

      This looks fantastic!

    13. Scottwdw (19 months ago | reply)

      Whoa...when did you get a D3S? This is a sweet hand-held HDR!

    14. Tom.Bricker (19 months ago | reply)

      Just out of curiosity, how much time do you spend aligning and processing these 5 shot HDRs?

      The reason I typically avoid doing ANY handheld HDRs isn't just because I think it's unnecessary, but because aligning the shots takes more time than I'm willing to commit. On that 7-frame HDR about which you heckled me (smart-...), I just put it into my Photoshop plugin and let it do all of the work. Done in 6 minutes. By contrast, when I've tried merging handheld shots, I've given up after 15 minutes. You must have a better method, or more patience than me.

      All of that said, here's a little heckling back: you could have achieved results very similar to what you've posted today with 2 frames, and you could've done the RnRC shot with one frame. ;-P

    15. JGou (19 months ago | reply)

      The color balance and black level is exceptional, just exceptional.

    16. Brett Kiger (19 months ago | reply)

      Very nice, that D3s is a beast when it comes to noise!

    17. Allen Castillo (19 months ago | reply)

      Amazing HDR processing.

    18. Silver1SWA (Ryan Pastorino) (19 months ago | reply)

      What's the burst rate on the D3s? That makes a world of difference when handholding brackets.

    19. David.Stewart (19 months ago | reply)

      5x handheld is impressive stuff

    20. Jeff_B. (19 months ago | reply)

      Awesome! hard to believe that this an indoor restuarant. Superb work as always Joe.

    21. stevem19 (19 months ago | reply)

      Wow! This is so perfect! Just an amazing job right here! Love this....& the Sci-Fi.

    22. Duane Matsen (19 months ago | reply)

      awesome photo. you nailed the exposure, not over processed and still tack sharp. Really nice work. Love the D3!

    23. Adam Hansen (19 months ago | reply)

      Wow, this is fantastic especially considering it was handheld. Viewing this large make it even more impressive.

    24. MBesantPhoto (19 months ago | reply)

      Wonderful shot of one of my favorite restaurants!!

    25. Burnsland (Steve Burns) (19 months ago | reply)

      Nice work! I do love it inside there.

    26. Scottwdw (19 months ago | reply)

      I do a lot of hand held HDRs of the 5 shot variety. The D700 and D3S only bracket at one stop intervals so the 5 stop bracket gives a -2 to +2 in 1EV intervals. Done in fast burst mode, it does not take a lot of time. The HDR software I use, Photomatix Pro 4.0, aligns the photos when it brings in the set. Using one stop intervals also creates less noise.

    27. EddyMixx (19 months ago | reply)

      Joe this is an absolute triumph!

      there are stack scripts that come built in photoshop that align images so much better than many other plug-ins (including photomatix) could ever reproduce. so its not overly complicated to produce this. i'm sure there are similar scripts in paint shop pro that do the job as well. but a steady hand is always important..which for Joe was much easier since that D3s he used is ultimately THE best low-light camera in the world right now. if only my wife didnt mind the 5k it costs, i'd be HDR-ing Peter Pan and Haunted Mansion by now.

    28. DugJax (19 months ago | reply)

      Excellent tones and wide view! The atmosphere is amazing though I was disappointed in the food. That was several years ago so maybe it's changed for the better.

    29. janoimagine (19 months ago | reply)

      Great capture.

    30. DigitalSLG (19 months ago | reply)

      Fantastic shot of this restaurant...haven't been there in years. Must go back in January. :-)

    31. ranzino (19 months ago | reply)

      Love that place. Reminds me of an oldie but goodie from back in my point and shoot days. www.flickr.com/photos/ranzino/10914359/

    32. wolliefotografie (19 months ago | reply)

      Well done, the view and the colors very nice.

    33. Mishal Almesfer (19 months ago | reply)

      that is great shot and processing
      really amazing
      what is your work flow ?

    34. briberry (19 months ago | reply)

      Awww, I remember eating there on my last trip to Florida. A most awesome dining location. Love the angle you got here!

    35. This photo was invited and added to the 5 Star Disney (Invited Photos Only) group.

    36. vikas photography (buzzzzzzy!!!) (19 months ago | reply)

      Classical capture... so beautiful 'n' vivid colors & light shades!!!

    37. AZ Socks (19 months ago | reply)

      Okay, I'm a novice at this and am eager to learn... I have a Nikon D7000 so when you mention the bracketing done in one stop intervals so the 5 stop bracket gives a -2 to +2 in 1EV intervals, what exactly does this mean?

      Please forgive me, but I'm anxious to learn more and become a better photographer.

    38. fudgepuddle (19 months ago | reply)

      hi Joe :)
      what a great image! the lighting you've captured makes it look really atmospheric.
      and I can't believe we've never been there... it's now firmly on the list for next time!!!
      x

    39. Kristi, The Mrs. (19 months ago | reply)

      That's such a fun place to dine! Nice capture.

    40. evelyng23 (19 months ago | reply)

      really impressive work!

    41. Mojumbo22 (Matt Pirecki) (19 months ago | reply)

      I could kick myself for never having eaten there.

    42. imagine3b (19 months ago | reply)

      Just beautiful! Impressive handheld work.

    43. Victoria*G (19 months ago | reply)

      Cool photo! I've never been in here before, but now I might have to!

    44. Dwood Photography (19 months ago | reply)

      Sweet exposure on this.

    45. dwanellington (19 months ago | reply)

      I absolutely love this place. Your photography is amazing! Your shots capture all the feelings that I felt the first time I visited Disney World.

    46. TheDisneyDad (18 months ago | reply)

      What a great picture Joe. Thanks. The Sci Fi Dine Inn picture was awarded Picture of the Day on Dad's Facebook Page.

    47. Eat My Disney Dust (18 months ago | reply)

      What a fantastic handheld HDR shot! I can only hope to get any of mine as good as this...

    48. This photo was invited and added to the Authentica group.

    49. WJMcIntosh (18 months ago | reply)

      Can't believe you were able to get this without a tripod. That does it. Time to sell the house and get a D3S. We could set up a tent in Occupy L.A. Incredible lighting, sharpness and colors....all with a handheld HDR. Amazing...

    50. This photo was invited and added to the Amsterdam Blog Associates - Post 1 Comment 2 group.

    51. Sean Foster (17 months ago | reply)

      invite code

    52. thebeadlesbakery (11 months ago | reply)

      i enjoy this SO MUCH.

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