EPICOT!
Walt Disney World Resort (Florida)
Epcot
Future World
Spaceship Earth
This shot is my favorite from our recent trip. I actually had it on my "shot list" for our last trip after seeing a jaw-dropping image in a WDW souvenir book (see second comment), but I quickly realized that I had a snowball's chance in hell of getting the shot given how the monorails actually operate. That shot is probably a dawn "Yellow Shoes Exclusive" of parked monorails. After seeing Cory's excellent shot, my mind started wondering if I could get it again. I knew it must be possible somehow.
Then, as they say in those lame commercials, came my "Ah ha" moment. Joe Penniston, master of all things creative, explained how it would be possible. I was shocked that I hadn't thought of it, because it's a technique I use in many of my shots. At that moment, I knew it would be obtainable. Also of luck, although not for him, was that Joe left his ultra wide angle lens at home. His idea for the shot is dramatically different than mine, and I'm sure he plans on getting it in the future, so I won't disclose it here. I decided to go for the more technically challenging shot, which resulted in a lot of editing for this shot. All in all, I am very pleased with the results.
Capturing the shot required the most patience I've ever had (besides waiting for SpectroMagic from the train station for almost two hours, but that doesn't count). The rest of the guys had already left that evening, and Sarah and I were the last ones in the park. On this particular evening we had already had, ahem, an odd conversation with a security guard, and Sarah and I were stationed about 10 feet from the same guard while waiting for this shot. We began waiting about 5 minutes before Matt and Jeff left the park, and waited until they caught the monorail (pictured). They may have a better idea for how long that took, but it seemed like an eternity to me. At one point, about 3 minutes before I got the shot, the security guard told us we needed to head out, as they were clearing the park. I told him that we just needed two more minutes, and he said something (I don't recall what), so I told him, "just about 30 more seconds." The longest three minutes of my life later (all the while I was fully expecting to get a tap on the shoulder), I got the shot. Phew.
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Comments and faves
Jeff_B., Matt Pasant, Burnsland (Steve Burns), SarahBricker, and 129 other people added this photo to their favorites.
Jeff_B. (44 months ago | reply)
Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! I am speechless!
Tom.Bricker (44 months ago | reply)
Here is the shot from the souvenir book. It first appeared in a 1980s book (you can tell from how beautiful the entry area looks...can I brush that into my shot?!):
Here is a shot that Sarah took of me getting the shot. If you think this is good (I do), please encourage her to post here. She has some absolutely stunning shots that I would be proud to post...but they're not mine. She needs to post them!
Burnsland (Steve Burns) (44 months ago | reply)
That is absolutely fantastic! Wonderful shot! Just like the old photo books, as you said.
Matt Pasant (44 months ago | reply)
Hol-e-crap. Speechless as well. Jeff and I wondered what you were doing down there snapping away as we were dragging our rear ends up to the monorail station.
HOW did you do this?
Cory Disbrow (44 months ago | reply)
So, thanks for some of the credit, but I'm considering taking my shot down now. This is absolutely amazing Tom. Easily one of your best. And tell Sarah to stop being a wuss and get an account already!
Scott Smith (SRisonS) (44 months ago | reply)
This is just perfect!!!!
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Photogineer (Doug) (44 months ago | reply)
Ditto on Matt's comment. This is beyond words. I actually don't know how to even comment. If you are not against it, any possible way to send the full size image. This has to go on my computer screen.
Don Sullivan (44 months ago | reply)
This is out of this world good!! WOW!!!! WOW!!!! and WOW!!!!!!
Your description of this when we talked about it on Sunday didn't do this shot justice. It's just brilliant.
Scottwdw (44 months ago | reply)
Over-the-top amazing, Tom. Now, go back and get it at dusk like the WDW people did. :-)
Oh, and tell your wife to be to get on board. Looks like she has been well taught.
Gary Burke. (44 months ago | reply)
Stunning!! One of your best yet, Tom!!
wonderful_world_of_Hilary (44 months ago | reply)
Absolutely Stunning! I'm glad that the security guard didn't tap you on the shoulder.
Photogineer (Doug) (44 months ago | reply)
Sorry, I was so stunned by the photo, I forgot to say..... Come on Sarah Post, Post. I see the shot of Tom you took here and it is a very well done technical shot. Step up to the plate. I am sure nobody will be disappointed. If not we will keep bugging Tom until you do.
CodyWDWfan (44 months ago | reply)
Un - be - lievable !!! You are really taking it to a whole new level.
I'm going to guess on how you did it.. Long exposure shot with no monorails, and then two wide open / high ISO shots of the monorails cloned in? The same exposure wide open at ISO 3200 is 1/20th f/2.8, am I close?
And another vote for Sarah to start posting :)
gpwelch (44 months ago | reply)
You rock, Tom. Great execution and perfect result. One of my favorites.
Express Monorail (44 months ago | reply)
You did it... I think you are taking over the reins of "master of all things creative" with pulling this one off. Unbelievable!!
PhotobugD (44 months ago | reply)
Wow! What an outstanding shot!
ShainaEng (44 months ago | reply)
That's such an AMAZING shot!!!
Peter E. Lee (44 months ago | reply)
Phenomenal! I salute your dedication, sir!
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Jackie Steele (44 months ago | reply)
Fantabulous.
DisneyDreamin [deleted] (44 months ago | reply)
I definitely think Sarah should be posting...I was hoping she would after this last trip. Come on Sarah...what are you waiting for? You already have fans. :-))))
Great shots!!
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wdwSteve (44 months ago | reply)
Tom this is GREAT your photo looks better then the one in the book
campchick24_7 (44 months ago | reply)
Tom and Sarah, this entire story is wonderful. Excellent job!!
deefordisney (44 months ago | reply)
Oh my glory, this is brilliant. What beautiful work! And Sarah should definitely be posting -- her shot is really cool.
Kiki FL (44 months ago | reply)
Uh...Wow...my goodness!...er...uh...Wow!...what the...how did you...oh my!...Wow!
stevenbulman44 (44 months ago | reply)
A marvelous night shot with dazzling colors and a super composition
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evelyng23 (44 months ago | reply)
this is great!! definite WOW!
pentachoron (44 months ago | reply)
That's pretty cool!
thebrick2007 (44 months ago | reply)
This is just stunning! I'll be linking this to my blog, true artistry at work.
Please tell Sarah I want to see her photos as well.
DugJax (44 months ago | reply)
This is so cool that I don't even know what to write so how about...WOW! Really awesome!!
hubsterdisney (44 months ago | reply)
Great shot, Tom. Thanks also for including your stories with the photos you post. It makes the photos even more amazing!
Crustopher (44 months ago | reply)
Wonderful shot Tom, I would of never thought to even try something like this! I think I like your take on the shot better than the one from the souvenir book! Great job!
Eugene1959 (44 months ago | reply)
This is an awesome shot. And I like your daughters picture to. It's a great shot.
~Life by the Drop~ (44 months ago | reply)
This is fabulous! Excellent creative idea and perfect execution. Very well done.
ρrakaz (Digital Monk) (44 months ago | reply)
Congrats on making it to Front Page! You can grab the FP screenshot here:
clipyourphotos.com/FP/screenshot/15150
You can keep track of your FP photos in the future here. :)
bernat... (44 months ago | reply)
Congratulations!!! your photo reach Explore Front Page
You can download the capture in lab.bernatcasero.com/flickr/frontpagecapture? user=1024524...
AlexGoldman (44 months ago | reply)
What an amazing shot :) Those are the original WDW monorails in the 80s picture right? I wonder how a shot like this would look with the next fleet they might be getting soon ... since they'd be much more futuristic I'm sure.
Souvik_Prometure (44 months ago | reply)
wonderful night exposure..colours are amazing!!!
Congrats on Explore
Dr. Ilia (44 months ago | reply)
Cool capture
rabidash* (44 months ago | reply)
~wOnderful Capture~
~Happy weekend, my dear friend~thanx 4 sharing~
Scott9432 (Back... Again) (44 months ago | reply)
Tom! What an amazing capture! The color and lighting is perfect!
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Scott9432 (Back... Again) (44 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called 5 Star Disney (Invited Photos Only), and we'd love to have this added to the group!
Tom.Bricker (44 months ago | reply)
My first front page Explore shot:
Matt Pasant (44 months ago | reply)
congrats tom. This shot earned it.
Mandy Maloo (44 months ago | reply)
Awesome job, Tom!! You have a way of capturing the true beauty of the "World". Love your shots and Sarah did beautiful work as well! I hope she posts more!
Hooray I'm Helping (44 months ago | reply)
Congrats on getting to the front page with this one. Your patience certainly paid off.
dragonfyre_13 (44 months ago | reply)
This is just gorgeous. What an easy vote for me!! I am totally amazed and don't think I would have your patience in a million years. :) Congrats!
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dawnzy58 (44 months ago | reply)
This is wild! This really deserves front page Explore.
Eugene1959 (44 months ago | reply)
I just saw this picture in explore. Congratulations.
♥[-CAROLINE MINTED-]♥ (44 months ago | reply)
AMAZING! i LOVE EPCOT
Eugene1959 (44 months ago | reply)
I just saw this shot on the front page. Congratulations again.