Venting About Photography

[Davyjones]

Hey Gang,

I need to vent. My wife and I just came back from WDW and the only thing that truly annoyed me was this: When Disney asks you not to use flash photography during rides, how hard can it be?!? We were on POTC twice that day and both times someone on our boat KEPT TAKING FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY! I swear that it was almost every 7-10 seconds! My wife saw that I was getting annoyed with these people and could tell that I wanted to say something to them, so she told me to calm down. This kind of thing happened on multiple rides during my trip there. It of course didn't ruin my vacation, but come on! Can't you take pictures without using a flash? Can't you follow rules? Ugh...

Sorry. Had to get that out. Does this bother anybody else?

[xoHelloKittyox]

It definatly is annoying. To be on a ride and totaly get the feel for it then FLASH! totaly ruins the ride for me. I dont blame you for wanting to say something. I would of wanted to too.

[mickey&missy]

YES! It's rude! I don't get it either and I know you'll find everyone here agrees. This topic has come up before.

I've been able to take some pretty good shots on rides without the flash. I haven't tried to take any on POTC, but I have on Buzz and ISAW. The beautiful thing about digital photography is that if it doesn't come out because you didn't use the flash you can erase it!

I wish there was a way for disney to better enforce the rule and I wish other people weren't so rude!

[WTDing]

I know what you mean. This really bothers me too. Last year a grandmother kept taking flash pictures on Peter Pan from the ship in front of us. It was at least once in every scene and it got really annoying.

This general lack of rule following and etiquette seems to be getting worse. Everyone seems to be forgetting that they are not the only people in the world, or the grocery store, or on the freeway, etc.

Too bad people just don't care anymore.

[merlinmagic4]

While it certainly may be true that these people have no regard for others they also may have a language barrier. Just a thought. They could put up a sign somewhere that says "no flash photography" in many languages. I agree it is annoying.

[BMan62]

I goofed one time and was taking flash pics in PotC. I had forgotten that my camera was set to Flash On when it booted up. Once I realized what was going on, I turned the flash off and all was right with the world.

[Jasper]

Certainly mistakes happen and certainly there can be language barrier issues. However, Disney does often broadcast such instructions in other languages and they also offer park maps in other languages that contain this information.

If the person is close enough for me to politely ask them to stop I will do so. While I don't think this will completely solve the problem I do think that if the offenders know that other guests are annoyed and are willing to stand up for their rights then I do think it will help.

[Von-Drake]

I agree it is very annoying. I make it a big point of turning the flash off on my digital camera when we go on rides. I did catch my dad taking flash pictures, but once I showed him how to turn off the flash everything was fine and then you notice it even more when others do not afford you the same courtesy.

[BluewaterBrad]

Yeah it bothers me about those photo idiots, BUT not as bad as the jerks that get in line, send their husbands (or kids) to get fastpasses, then hold up the line while those FP-getters cut half the line. It actually doesnt really happen to us because I NEVER let anyone cut for that reason. Twice security has been called over an incident with me and other guests. The security has sided with me both times. Now dont forget I let people get ahead in line all the time for any reason (kids, elderly, etc. things happen), but when I am walking into a queue behind a group and see and hear their rude and deceitful plan, my blood will start to simmer until the time comes when they have cut over half the line and try to pass. It doesnt happen. I know some people will tell me I should just let it go and stuff like that, but that is one line I must draw. (Sorry, I guess that was my vent!!)

[ligirlz]

I find it annoying too. Years ago DH and I were on a ride (I forgot what park it was) and someone was taking flash photography. A worker got on the overhead and yelled at the people saying "No flash photography please". they stopped after that.

DH always makes sure his isn't on flash and it works just as good.

[crltkcagle]

When we went to the Nemo show there was a lady infront of me who kept taking pictures using her flash. I also had my camera out but had the flash setting off. She would hurry up take and picture and then put her camera down. After a few times of this happening a cm came over and asked me to quit ruining the show for everyone or he would escort me out. I told him that my cameras flash setting was off. Then I raised my voice and said it is the rude lady in front of me who keeps using her flash. She turned around and gave me the evil eye and I gave it right back to her. LOL I wasn't going to get thrown out of Nemo because this lady was an idiot. LOL

[Soul_Power]

Yes, I agree. It's completely distracting, and I really wish people wouldn't do it. Like what someone said earlier, it's possible to get great shots without the flash. I just wish people would realize that!

[MickeyandTink]

Certainly mistakes happen and certainly there can be language barrier issues. However, Disney does often broadcast such instructions in other languages and they also offer park maps in other languages that contain this information.

If the person is close enough for me to politely ask them to stop I will do so. While I don't think this will completely solve the problem I do think that if the offenders know that other guests are annoyed and are willing to stand up for their rights then I do think it will help.

It must be something about POTC, because last year there was a woman sitting ahead of me in the boat who kept taking flash pictures. I chalked up the first time or two to her not knowing how to turn off the flash, but the final straw was when she turned around to take a picture and blinded me with her flash.

I castigated her for taking flash pictures and ruining the ride for the other guests. She quickly turned around. She didn't say anything, but the picture taking stopped.

[WhiteRose1]

People do not just do this in Disney, I was on the Louvre in Paris and people were taking FLASH pictures....right in front of guards...who were standing right next to the sigh: No Flash Photos in this room (in many languages)

UGH. Not only did the people not care, the guards did not do anything either!

I did not get the experience of lots of people taking pictures, and my eyes do not adjust well in dark places - I got lucky!!

[biodtl]

People do not just do this in Disney, I was on the Louvre in Paris and people were taking FLASH pictures....right in front of guards...who were standing right next to the sigh: No Flash Photos in this room (in many languages)

UGH. Not only did the people not care, the guards did not do anything either!

wow - that's awful! In a museum, it's not just about the comfort of others (which is an important enough reason), it's to protect the priceless art and artifacts. It's disappointing that the guards didn't do anything.

[JPL]

After years of frustration with Flash Photography I have given up getting annoyed it's just something that until Disney enforces we will have to live with. I actually came up with a new rule especially for POTC. I have my flash off and try to get pictures but If I am on a boat full of people taking flash pictures I just join in now figure I can't beat might as well join them.

[LoriMistress]

I've noticed that WDW is really laid back on the whole "flash photography" during an attraction. At DLR/DCA they do NOT tolerate it one bit. They will get on the loud speaker and threaten you out of the park for LIFE if you continue to use flash photography. POTC is the worst when it comes to it all thanks to the POTC movie and the AI.

[kelly.garrett]

On my first trip we went to the Lion King show, and right after the show began about 3/4 of the audience started taking flash pictures. It totally ruined the show for me because I was being distracted by the hundreds of flashing lights across the room and all around me.

Prior to the show CMs had said "no flash photography" about 10 times. What bothers me the most is that CMs emphasized it was for the safety of the performers and guests still did not care.

[Mousemates]

by the way its the same way at Disneyland...I finally decided to just get over it...I now simply go ahead and squint when ever we approach a "Jack Sparrow" because I know the flashes will start popping.

[minnie1956]

I will be honest, one trip I did that. I admit it.
I tried and tried to figure out how to turn the flash on my camera off. I really did!! I'm sorry for my past sins, I'm learning how to work it for this trip.
As a former Girl Scout I give my word to figure out my camera BEFORE we get there.