Shooting the moon (26)

Requirement

1 image

Purpose

To develop technique in shooting successful images of the moon

Technical learning

• 2 options for using the moon in a landscape: (a) include it in the image by shooting towards it and (b) use moonlight as an illumination
• Brightness of the moon, like the sun, depends on the state of the atmosphere, including the presence of haze or cloud. Use a spot meter to measure brightness, although bracketing is a useful precaution
• The urban light that often balances exposure of moon shots is generally absent in natural landscape after dark. So, shooting at dusk or dawn works better in showing some other landscape features and recognisable silhouettes
• Use the most powerful telephoto lens available (preferably at least 400mm), otherwise the moon will appear too insignificant.
• On the first night the full moon it rises directly opposite the sun at the time at which it sets. Every following night, it rises about 1 hour later (i.e. 24 hours/ 28 days of the lunar cycle)

Exercise instructions

• Pick an interesting horizon line at full moon around dusk
• Shoot at least one image of the moon

Images and review

Full moon over London Bridge

Full moon taken opportunistically with a compact camera. So, the definition of
the moon is weaker than I would like.
However, I like the composition, especially
the balance between the moon and
the buildings

Full moon over Lake Zurich, June 10

Again I like the composition except
its sharpness, especially of the moon
itself. Smaller aperture would have
improved the result.