From Across the Lagoon

Whenever I travel to the Magic Kingdom from the Ticket and Transportation Center, more often than not I'll take the ferry. From the decks you can casually enjoy views of the Polynesian and Grand Floridian Resort to the west. To the north, you get views like this.

Something Else To Read

I do not do a lot of self-promotion. I do occasionally add something on Twitter that a new blog post has gone up, but I seem to forget to do that more often than not. But, I am going to indulge in a bit of promotion here by asking you to visit my other blog. It is called Sharing The Good Times and can be found http://greggrimsleycreative.blogspot.com/.

Sharing The Good Times has nothing at all to do with Disney, though a thought of Disney may come up from time to time. The new blog is a place where I will write about art, dreams, film, literature, music, stories, travel, writing and most importantly, life. Currently I am sharing the spiritual journey that led my wife and I to live and work in England. The new blog is more personal than The Disney Obsession.

I said at one point that I suppose I was writing a new blog for my children and grandchildren; something of a memoir. In fact, the title is a phrase my grandchildren and I say to each other whenever we get together. I expect the readership to be small. I don't know many people who want to read the ramblings of a fifty-something writing about his life. But, since you've read some of the things I have written here, I wanted to invite to take a look at the new blog. Who knows, you may find something of interest there.

Disney World After Dark: Castle at Twilight

If someone were to ask me how many photographs I have taken of Cinderella Castle, I would have to answer honestly and say I do not know. Over the years and through hundreds of photographs, I am still drawn to its mystery and enchantment. True, a lot of my shots are of the same angle, but I take them anyway hoping that I may find something that I have not seen before. Of all the park icons, it is my favorite and will keep me coming back year after year and photograph after photograph.

This photograph was taken nearing twilight in February 2012.

Disney World After Dark: Imagination Fountain

I may have posted a similar photograph through the years. If so, forgive me. I didn't take the time to go back and look. But, if you'll indulge me, this is very likely one my favorite scenes to photograph at night.

Might I Recommend...

... reading the Main Street Gazette's post, Do As Dreamers Do. It is a roundtable discussion answering the question, "What is your favorite nighttime spectacular, past or present, in Walt Disney World?" It is a good read.

Disney World After Dark: Innoventions Plaza

If you have followed this blog for any this blog for any length of time you know how I enjoy taking photographs in the World after dark. It becomes a different world in different light and I feel it takes on a different character as well. It is more, mysterious.


Though it will be hard to tell, this is a High Dynamic Range processed photograph. It is rendered from a single photograph taken with a Nikon D40, then processed through Adobe Photoshop produce copies with varying exposures that were then rendered in Photomatix Pro.


As for the timing, there are two great times to take photographs in the Plaza. One is during IllumiNations. If you can draw yourself away from the nighttime spectacular, you'll find that the Plaza is virtually empty as most everyone is at, you guessed it, IllumiNations. Another time is to linger during your exit from the park. This works best when you watch IllumiNations on the far side of World Showcase. You're a whole park away from the front entrance. Again, take your time.


Oh, and have a tripod with you. The above photograph was taken in Aperture mode with a lens opening of f/10 and an ISO of 200. This was a 10 second exposure. 


So, if you're patient, you can come away with some really nice shots.

Something On A Sunday

Gulf Shores, Alabama  12.29.11

I am committed to continuing to post things here from time to time. True my focus has been shifted to other aspects of life and to other projects, but the space will still be a place where I wish to share.

My wife and I recently returned from a few days at the beach in Gulf Shores. It has been the vacation destination of my family for many years; between 25 and 30 I suppose. It is long been a place where I could go and drop a bag in the corner and reside on the balcony watching the surf. I would simply ask someone to, "Please tap me on the shoulder when we're going home." Otherwise, I was content to do nothing but look out at the water and enjoy the steady rolling and the calming sounds of the waves.

It had been three years since I was last in Gulf Shores and I missed it. It didn't matter that it was not the summer, or that you had to wear a jacket at times. I was back in a familiar haunt and came home refreshed and relaxed having had time to reflect on the days ahead.

With this being my first post of the new year, let me close by wishing you a fulfilling new year. I hope there is something new you wish to do, something exciting you wish to accomplish. All the best!

More to follow...