Pirates of the High ISO

An animatronic Jack Sparrow looks to steal a key to the city's treasure. (D700, ISO 6400, 1/30th, 85mm/f1.8, spot-metered)

Vacation Post!

So I'm learning how to use my D700. It's ISO rating (like film speed) goes to 6400 and can be pushed to 12,500 or even one stop higher. So after 3 year of living near Disney World, i know there's no other challenging lighting situations I've encountered other than trying to get on-ride photos of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and 'Haunted Mansion.' Me and my friend Dan have spent years documenting those rides and have never quite gotten what we wanted. Everything from a D2x to a 5D, 1.8 and 1.4 lenses, we still haven't gotten what we wanted.

That all has changed. Technology has saved the day. The camera really sees in the dark. Everything here has only been cropped and is right out of the camera otherwise.



A skeleton takes the helm on Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean." (D700, ISO 6400, 1/20th, 85mm/f1.8, spot-metered)


I've been trying to get that shot for years. YEARS. No matter how much i slow down the shutter, pan, or try to save it in post, it's always underexposed or blurry or both.



The infamous redhead scene of "Pirates of the Caribbean." (D700, ISO 6400, 1/100th, 85mm/f1.8, spot-metered)



That's from the stretch room at Haunted Mansion, when the lights go off. (D700, ISO 6400, 1/80th, 85mm/f1.8)



And the ballroom scene. (D700, ISO 12,500, 1/80th, 85mm/f1.8)