Some of My Favorite Things

I love being in Epcot at festival time. It doesn't matter if it is the International Flower and Garden Festival or the International Food and Wine Festival. Either one is fine with me. 

One of the favorite aspects of the former festival is the display of bonsai trees exhibited in Japan. If I am fortunate enough to visit the park during this this time, I will spend an hour or so enjoying and photography these works of art. 

Sadly, I cannot tend or grow bonsai. There was a time when I would buy a tree from Mitsukoshi, bring it home, and do my best to tend it. But within six months the tree was dead. I finally gave up. 

Now I simply enjoy the artistry of those who raise these treasures. 

In the quiet moments...

The World Showcase in Epcot is one of my favorite places to be in Walt Disney World. It is a cultural and sensory delight to stroll along the promenade and bask in what each country has to offer. 

World Showcase also provides a number of off-the-beaten-path locations where the weary park guest can pause, rest, and collect themselves. The garden in the United Kingdom and  the back alleys of Morocco are two places you can find me. They are usually quiet and I can sit and enjoy being in a place that I love. The Japanese Gardens in the Japan Pavilion is a treasured place to enjoy a cup of tea and enjoy a moment of tranquility. 

Leave a comment and let me know your favorite place to take a few moments to slow down and rest. 

More to follow...

You're Still Here...

I have been away for a while. Of course you know that. 

In the interest of full disclosure, my interest in taking numerous trips to Walt Disney World has waned. My last trip was in April 2016. I have found that as I have gotten older there are other places that I want to visit, or revisit, while I have both the time and the fitness. Instead of Central Florida, I have found myself in Washington (both the state and the capitol) on numerous occasions. There have been journeys to England, The Netherlands, France, Belize, and Northern Ireland. So as you can see, I am still getting around. Just not to The World. 

I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised when for some reason I logged into The Disney Obsession to have a poke about, only discover that there are many good people still visiting here. To all of you let me say, I apologize. I apologize for not having anything new here in years, and many thanks for continuing to look in from time to time. I hope now to make it worth your while again.

With so many wonderful blogs and podcasters out there filling the far reaches of the internet and cyberspace with Disney content, I will rarely post anything that you do not already know. I will, from time to time, add a comment or offer my opinion when it mood strikes (e.g. I can hardly wait to photograph The World of Avatar at night or see what the magic the Imagineers create for Star Wars). But for now I am going to commit myself to getting back to posting photographs. I do this for two reasons. One, is to honor those who find yourself browsing this place every so often. Secondly, it serves to motivate me. My creativity in the area of photography has been lacking for some time now and though I don't have any trips to Orlando planned for anytime soon, I do have a nice catalogue of images to pull from. This will then (I hope) serve to entice me to shot more in my daily life and on my other adventures. 

So thank you for being here. For sticking around as I have been away doing other things. Such is life.

To begin I offer you this from the United Kingdom Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase. I have long been a fan of the Bard. Perhaps some of you are as well. 

More to follow...

The Gate

In a place filled with many wonderful examples of architecture, the Torii Gate in the Japan Pavilion at Epcot's World Showcase is one of my favorites.

Fireworks from France

Through the years I have taken numerous photographs of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. I still do. I continue to search for the elusive photograph of fireworks that I can point to and say, "that is pretty good." Some day perhaps.

My last trip was during the closing weekend of Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival, and I decided to try something a bit different. Instead of queuing on the promenade and shooting from there, I decided to shoot from the courtyard inside the France Pavilion. I thought it may provide a different perspective on things having something in the foreground.

I still need to work on this, but here is a first effort at a different vantage point. 

It Is A Marvel

"Like a grand and miraculous spaceship, our planet has sailed through the universe of time. And for a brief moment, we have been among its many passengers."

It always has been, and always will be, one of my favorite attractions in Epcot. Though I will say that I prefer the Jeremy Irons version, or the Walter Cronkite version. I can never really decide. What I do know is that, like Soarin', one of my three FastPass+ selections to start the day in park will include Spaceship Earth.

How about you. Walter Cronkite, Jeremy Irons or Judi Dench?

Something for the Sun

As I make my way around the World Showcase, I am usually struck by the colorful parasols that are on display in the China Pavilion.  To me the bright colors seem so refreshing against a bright sun. 

If Ever...

… you and I get separated while in Epcot, this is where you shall find me. I'll either be on the bridge looking into France or on a bench, absorbing the atmosphere. Perhaps I'll be in Le Petite Rue, sitting at a cafe table with a glass of wine and a baguette, looking up at a window, dreaming.  After all, it is what I do best.  Dreaming. 

The Path to the Temple of Heaven

I am staying in the China Pavilion for another week. Day or night, the garden is a tranquil place to pause, rest and reflect.

The Mystery of China

“China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will move the world.” This quote is attributed to Napoleon. There is little known as to the circumstances surrounding the quote. There are some who date his statement in 1803; a year prior to his coronation as Emperor. 

I have visited many places in my life. There are many more that I still wish to visit. China is one of those places. It intrigues me. To me it is a land full of mystery. Perhaps some day. 

Until that time, I'll content myself with the occasional visit to the Chinese Pavilion.

Disney World After Dark: The Bab Boujouloud Gate

On 31 December 2012 I decided that it was time to step away from The Disney Obsession. I was struggling with the sporadic nature of the work I was doing here. If it could be called that. Add to that, my writing was going in a different direction. I write daily. It just happens that most of what I write would not make it to this or my other blog. I came to the conclusion that I was tired of posting for the sake of posting.

Yesterday I decided to pay a visit to see what was happening and I was amazed to find that The Disney Obsession was visited 732 times last month. There has been no new content, yet, the blog is visited an average of 26 times a day. Hard to believe. From time to time I'll post a photo on my TDO Facebook page. When I do, a reasonable number of people stop by for a look. But I don't understand what drives traffic and I am not going to try and figure it out.

It then occurred to me. I still love Disney! I still love to take photographs while in am in a Disney park! And occasionally I like to share a photograph. So I thought, why not do that here? 

Here we go. I am not going to knock myself out writing. There are many more blogs for you visit to check out what is happening in Disney, what is new in the parks, what is changing and what most everybody with an opinion thinks about it (I usually keep my opinions to myself and that will not change now). And there are many great Disney photography sites. This will not be one of those.

What you'll find here now is just a guy who loves Disney and likes to share a photograph every now and then. 

So to begin this new journey on an old blog, let's visit one of my favorite subjects - night photography. Let's begin with the Bab Boujouloud Gate in the Morocco Pavilion.

Disney World After Dark: France... again

I believe this is the fourth photograph I have posted of the France Pavilion after dark. I make no apologies, it is one of my favorite places to be in Walt Disney World. 

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.

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.

Hey there...

It has been a while hasn't it? So, how are you doing? Wonderful I hope. As you can see, the Fall has been pretty busy for me; that is if the lack of posts is any indication. But, it has been. Work is still rather busy, I am finishing up a commitment on one non-profit Board of Directors and in the beginning months of another Board commitment. This new one is on the board of a theater company I help to start some years ago. Oh, and look, there are 99 people regularly following this blog. Wow.

I am taking an art course. Well, it is an art course in that I do draw. But it is really so much more than just drawing.

Yes, I have been busy and I'll stay that way.

Something that also keeps me busy, is dreaming. I am a dreamer and I have no difficulty in admitting as much. Chalk it up to a constant state of wanderlust. I always look ahead to what may be the next thing. It isn't that I lack contentment with where I am at, but more, that I know that there is always something new to experience around the next corner. Taking a course is part of that. Looking at travel sites is another. I am always curious to know, or to dream about, what is next. Having had many adventures, I wish for more.

This photograph, taken from the Impressions de France film, somewhat speaks to this. When I see this couple walking beside the Channel, I like to think that perhaps this is my wife and I in some distant year. We will have grown old together, but still find the joy in seeking out new adventures and... holding hands.

Disney World After Dark: A Fountain II

There is something that I have been meaning to do. With every trip to Epcot I hope that I find time to sit and watch the fountains. I am not very successful in fulfilling this hope, but still, I hope. I have often thought that if ever I find myself in a situation when I can come and go to the parks whenever I wish, then I'd have a better chance of having that time.

Of all the fountains in the World, the World Fellowship Fountain is my favorite. I slow down when I walk past it during the day. If I stop to eat at the Electric Umbrella, I never set with my back to the water. At night, the fountain is even more spectacular! Then, I come to a complete stop.

Someday.

Someday I'll have the time I speak of. When that day arrives I plan to find a place along a nearby wall and watch the fountain through a whole cycle of shows. Then when that's done, I may do it all over again.

Where In The World

I am happy to report that one my oldest and dearest friends (not that he is old, in fact I am somewhat older than he is, but you get the point) correctly placed the last Where In The World. My friend Ryan Wilson of the Main Street Gazette wrote in to let us know that the picture in question was that of the Yakitori House in the Japan Pavilion. Congrats Ryan.

And folks, if you haven't already, stop by the Main Street Gazette. Ryan has been at it a few years now and always, always puts up excellent material!

Now for this weeks edition. Where In The World would you find this?

It may be a little too easy. But then, one never knows.

I Need To Rename This Series

Don't you think?

I am not always successful when trying to make a level photograph. What looks level in the view finder doesn't always come out that way and then I am faced with having to correct it in post. But, one area in Walt Disney World that I find cries out to be photographed at various angles, is Italy. The textures, the masonry, the contrasts of straight and curved edges, is too much not to tilt the camera at least 45 degrees.

At least that is my feeling on the matter.

Disney World After Dark: The Temple of Heaven

There are few places in World Showcase that I find more peaceful than the China Pavilion. When I am tired I like to have a Peach Oolong Tea from the Joy of Tea and find a place to sit in the garden. The music and the sound of water I find quite soothing. Another place that allows a moment or two of quiet is the rotunda in the Temple of Heaven. Enter here and let a sense of calm to overtake you.

Disney World After Dark: Morocco

"Moroccan artisans spent months creating the detailed geometric patterns in the buildings, like the Koutoubia Minaret, a recreation of the famous prayer tower in Marrakesh that stands guard over the entrance to the Morocco pavilion." So reads the text from the 1983-1988 section of Walt Disney World Resort: A Magical Year-By-Year Journey, the 1998 Edition. I found this book yesterday this past Saturday while rummaging around our local Goodwill Store.

The Morocco Pavilion opened along the World Showcase on September 7, 1984. For years it was a pavilion that I would pass by thinking there was no real reason to spend time there. That was a big mistake. It is rich in beauty and offers insight to a culture that we are all too unfamiliar with. For me, it is that reason that makes it one of the gems of the World Showcase.

I fell in love with the Morocco pavilion late in my obsession and I wish that had not been the case. By day it is a lesson in the artistry of a people then by night it becomes a place of quiet mystery. Step in. Imagine.