Tag Archives: Star Wars Launch Bay

Remembering Star Wars at Disney World

21 Sunday Mar 2021

Posted by in BB-8, Disney World, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disneyland, Star Tours, Star Wars, Star Wars Launch Bay

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We went to Disney World in April 2017 and absolutely loved going there and had a blast. We are longing to go traveling again but will not until we get our COVID-19 vaccine shots. We would love going back to Disney World and Disneyland in the future. Like many, we want to visit the new Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland. We never dreamed Disneyland would be closed like many businesses in 2020. It would be nice to go and visit later this year.

I am fortunate I have these old photographs from Star Tours and Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney World. When my wife saw these old pictures, she loved the colors and the lighting to highlight the characters. She loved the reflections from the shiny animated drone.

The photographs reminds us how we were entertained while standing in line for Star Tours. We repeated this ride to discover the different scenarios of Star Tours. Our goal would be to experience all the scenarios.

I could spend hours in Star Wars Launch Bay shooting photographs of the models and characters. It is amazing to the see the detail and intricacies of the ship and weapon models. I cannot imagine the designing of the models to seem so realistic.

Lighting in these displays are key to reveal the best of these Star Wars objects. When shooting these types of pictures, choosing the correct frame where the light is shining the best to highlight and the shadows are not obtrusive is important. It takes practice to take the ideal shot. Taking lots of photographs is key to getting the best shot.

We all need pictures to highlight the great moments in life. Especially in this pandemic times, these pictures help to remind us about our formal normal lives. They also give us hope of a free pandemic post life when we can return to vacation trips and relaxation away from home.

Keep taking pictures to remember the good and challenging times of life. We all need to spend time experiencing our life thru pictures.

Feel free to send comments if you have photography questions. I would be glad to answer any questions.

Photos Highlight our Good Times!

 

 

Tantive IV Rebel Blockade Runner

21 Tuesday Jan 2020

Posted by in Rebel Blockade Runner, Star Wars, Star Wars Launch Bay, Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland, Tantive 4, Tantive IV, The Tech Museum of Innovation

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These photographs were shot at 2 locations – the San Jose Tech Museum of Innovation in November 2013 and The Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland in December 2018.

I shot many different views of the Tantive IV. I do not know if these are the same model or 2 different ones. The difference in the orange/dull red colors could be due to lighting. Also the Ion Turbine Engines at the San Jose Tech Museum were not lighted versus the Engines seen at Disneyland.

This model was built larger than the other ships. But when we saw the ship in the movies, it did not look larger due to the distance of the camera to the ship.

As noted in the above placard, Princess Leia Organa traveled onboard the Tantive IV when the Imperial Star Destroyer Devastator intercepted it. Darth Vader was seeking Princess Leia not knowing she really was his daughter. He wanted to retrieve the Death Star plans which Princess Leia hid to give to the rebel commanders for their future attack.

The Tantive IV was Princess Leia’s ship which she took on several missions. Many years after the end of the Galactic Civil War, a former Imperial senator found the remains of the Tantive IV decrepit in a hangar in the Yarma system. He repaired the ship and returned it to Princess Leia. The Tantive IV was Princess Leia’s personal flagship.

I have a fascination with jet fighters which is why I enjoy shooting photos of the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds. My favorite is the Air Superiority Fighter F-15 Eagle. It had the highest kills per engagement with enemy fighters. It was fast and maneuverable with powerful jet engines.

The Tantive IV reminds me about the real jet fighters which were successful in battle. The Tantive IV had to be repaired a couple of times, but was able to serve the Princess.

Any good fighter may get damaged from the battles. But with diligent care and repairs, the fighter can rise again to succeed in battle.

Can we follow that example to be a fighter to seek victory in our personal battles – even if we may need help to be repaired?

Photos Inspire and Teach!

 

Kylo Ren’s Lightsaber at Disney World

25 Friday Jan 2019

Posted by in Disney World, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Lightsaber, Star Wars, Star Wars Launch Bay

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  • This menacing light saber was on display at the Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney World
  • It was great to see these Star Wars props at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
  • Detailed views, looking down the barrel of the lightsaber

A couple of years ago, we went to Disney World. We went to the Star Wars Launch Bay. As usual, I took lots of pictures of the different Star Wars memorabilia. Here are more photographs of Kylo Ren’s Lightsaber. I don’t know if this is the same one I photographed last month at Disneyland.

I took these photographs with my Canon camera. These photographs are a little grainy compared to yesterday’s blog post. I took these photographs using a older DSLR camera.

In yesterday’s post, I used my Pixel 3XL camera. As I mentioned in a previous post, I was excited to buy this new Pixel last fall since I read how great the camera is. In this circumstance, the Pixel 3XL took better photographs than a few years ago using my older Canon camera. The Pixel 3XL camera has a lot of great features and take good pictures under low light situations without a flash. I was pretty impressed with these photographs at Disneyland.

Does this mean I should give up using my different Canon Digital SLR? No, of course not. There are times my Canon camera will take better photographs than using my Pixel camera and visa versa.

Stay tuned….I will post photographs from my Canon camera which look better than using my Pixel. So is there a preference on using the Pixel or the Canon camera? The answer is…it depends.

Menacing Lightsaber

23 Wednesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Disneyland, Pixel 3XL, Star Wars, Star Wars Launch Bay

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  • Kylo Ren’s Lightsaber on display at the Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland

Here’s more photos from Star Wars Launchbay at Disneyland featuring Kylo Ren’s Lightsaber.

It is interesting how it is a Crossguard lightsaber meaning the blades are vented from the primary central blade. So the blades are vented out at the top and on the sides.

The lightsabers used by the Star Wars’ heroes are generally shiny and polished. But Kylo Ren’s lightsaber is rough around the edges with the wires exposed. It is not a sleek looking weapon. Is this a reflection of the character of its owner?

I like to spend time examining photos to see the detail as I mentioned in yesterday’s blog. Why is Kylo Ren’s lightsaber so unfinished in looks? He created it from an ancient design and contains a cracked Kyber crystal. This accounts for the crossguard appearance and it’s power.

Kylo Ren created this lightsaber with the intent to destroy others. He struck down Lor San Tekka and his father, Han Solo. But Rey almost struck him down even though her Jedi skills were just budding. She was of a pure heart versus his darkness.

This is a good lesson of hope that good triumphs over evil. I will always be a “sucker” that good will be victorious over evil.

If you are interested in more Star Wars trivia, please see the links below.

Keep Photos that teach.

Kylo Ren info from Starwars.fandom.com

Kylo Ren Lightsaber info from Starwars.fandom.com

What is the Fastest hunk of junk in the Galaxy at Disneyland?

22 Tuesday Jan 2019

Posted by in Disneyland, Millennium Falcon, Star Wars, Star Wars Launch Bay

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  • Millennnium Falcon, YT-1300 light freighter
  • Detailed view of battle damaged hull and quad laser canon.
  • Detailed view of the cockpit
  • “You know, that ship’s saved my life quite a few times. She’s the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy!” – Lando Calrissian
  • Han Solo explains, “She’ll make point five past lightspeed.”

It is the Millennium Falcon at the Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland. I enjoyed shooting photographs at different angles of this Y-1300 Light Freighter.

I am not sure if this model is the actually movie model or not.
The display does not specify. Nevertheless, I like the detail in the model which is why I took multiple photos to show this. It is nice how the model is suspended in the show case.

Below is an interesting link of trivia about the Millennium Falcon – The link is to Starwars.wikia.com

Legend/Canon facts about the Millennium Falcon

I am a Sci-Fi junkie. I can spend hours watching Star Wars movies, reading trivia, looking at model drawings, and shooting anything Star Wars.

The details seen in the Star Wars series is proof that “Details Matter”. Often in life, we want to live life vicariously and spontaneously. But we may find out without planning, we could find ourselves in dilemmas if we do not plan. Details are important to consider to avoid problems and stress. Details also make a difference in appearances. The Millennium Falcon is proof that “Details Matter’.

Where to see the Tantive IV Glow

10 Thursday Jan 2019

Posted by in Disneyland, Star Wars

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  • A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….at Star Wars Launch Bay – See the Tantive IV glow
  • Tantive IV Model

We went to see Star Wars Launch Bay at Disneyland in December 2018. I could have stayed here for a real long time and amused myself taking photographs of the Star Wars memorabilia with my new Pixel 3XL. If you have looked at my older posts, I have photographed other Star Wars exhibits, since I am mesmerized by all the props.

These are 2 glass exhibits cases. The front ship is the Resistance X-Wing Fighter featured in Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens. The back ship is the Tantive IV Rebel Blockade Runner seen in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

The effect of the glass cases gives an artistic look to this photograph. I was also impressed with the lighted back engines. The lights gave a nice glow to the photograph. Things do not have to be perfectly staged for a good photograph. Even though these ships were in 2 separate glass cases, the glass and lights in the display worked together to give a special effect to the photograph. So try to surmise your surroundings to see how you can optimize the light to take a good photo.

Here’s a clip from the Star Wars website where the Tantive IV is being chased by the huge Imperial Star Destroyer. Size does not matter as the Tantive IV survived the attack. In the movie, the Imperial Star Destroyer was protrayed to be much larger than the Tantive IV.

By the way – an interesting fact of reality – the models for the 2 ships were actually opposite in sizes. The Tantive IV model is a little larger than the Imperial Star Destroyer.

So even though I did not use my big and heavy Canon camera and lens, the Pixel 3XL still took a pretty decent photograph of these 2 ships. I’m hoping my new Pixel 3XL will provide good photographs, when I do not bring my heavy duty camera equipment…size does matter for convenience.

Tantive IV from Star Wars

Feel the Power of the Force

05 Friday May 2017

Posted by in Disney World, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Star Wars

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Today is Happy Star Wars Day!  We enjoyed a fun visit to Disney World Hollywood Studios and went to the Star Wars Launch Bay.  Notice there is a Storm Trooper in the background.

One of my passions is to take the movie props and models from the different Star Wars Movies.  I got into my “zone” taking the movie props from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.  I photographed lots of Star Wars photos during my visit.

I posted my video from Star Wars – A Galactic Spectacular fireworks show on YouTube

Our YouTube Video – Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular

Why do I love taking photographs of Star Wars props?  I love the details in the making of the props.  Since I do not think I will ever own a Star Wars prop, I have taken a large collection of these props over the years to satisfy my fascination with them.

My photography is a reflection of the things I love to look at.  I do not want to embellish my photos via software.  I want to take photosgraphs to match their authentic state.

May the Fourth Be With You!