Moon Shots (Page 2): It sounds like you are trying to shoot in darkness...... take two shots, one for the moon and one for foreground then bring them together in post.

frankraney Loc: Clovis, Ca.

Gray Fox wrote:

I have conquered taking photos of the moon per se. But I want more detail around the moon such as a cloud layer, rocks or trees. If I expose for the moon, the rest of the view is vastly under exposed...If I expose for the surrounding clouds, the moon is blown out.
Of course I can do this with layers, maybe stacking, etc. but I want a one-shot deal.
Any ideas?

It sounds like you are trying to shoot in darkness...... take two shots, one for the moon and one for foreground then bring them together in post.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

This is a two photo shot. The moon was taken handheld with a Nikon 200-500 VR @ 500mm. Train handheld with a 28-300 VR. Both shot with a D810. PP with Photoshop Elements.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Orange Krate wrote:

This is a two photo shot. The moon was taken handheld with a Nikon 200-500 VR @ 500mm. Train handheld with a 28-300 VR. Both shot with a D810. PP with Photoshop Elements.

NICE.

DJ Mills Loc: Idaho

Great shots and PP.

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Gray Fox wrote:

I have conquered taking photos of the moon per se. But I want more detail around the moon such as a cloud layer, rocks or trees. If I expose for the moon, the rest of the view is vastly under exposed...If I expose for the surrounding clouds, the moon is blown out.
Of course I can do this with layers, maybe stacking, etc. but I want a one-shot deal.
Any ideas?

I have made attempts to try to get a moon with background all-in-one shot with limited success. The enclosed shots are ones I have done in the last year. The first shot was done last week and I managed to catch the Moon, Venus and Mercury in one shot. The Moon and Venus is still overexposed and the clouds may be a little too dark. The 2nd photo is the JPG of the shot I used for the water reflection portion of the composite and the third photo is the composite made using Photoshop. In the last photo of the moon behind the clouds, the moon is overexposed and the clouds seem right. I would need to have used bracketed shots that night to get the moon and clouds exposed correctly.

Moon with Venus with Mercury to upper right

(Download)

JPG of shot used for water reflection

(Download)

Composite photo for relfection and moon

(Download)

Moon behind clouds
Moon behind clouds...

(Download)

Jim216 Loc: South Carolina

What lens are you using ?

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Gray Fox wrote:

I have conquered taking photos of the moon per se. But I want more detail around the moon such as a cloud layer, rocks or trees. If I expose for the moon, the rest of the view is vastly under exposed...If I expose for the surrounding clouds, the moon is blown out.
Of course I can do this with layers, maybe stacking, etc. but I want a one-shot deal.
Any ideas?

Check the moonrise and sunset charts. Find the time during the month when the moon rises prior to the sun setting. This will be your best time to shoot the moon with landscape in it.

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Jim216 wrote:

What lens are you using ?

Whose photos are you referring to?

Jim216 Loc: South Carolina

The moon shots...

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

All shots were taken with a Nikon D750. The lens and shooting parameters were:

1) Nikon 28-300 f/5.6 1.6 sec ISO 640
2) Nikon 24-120 f/11 1/125 sec ISO 125 (Moon)
3) Nikon 24-120 f/4 0.5 sec ISO 100 (water reflection)
4) Tamron 15-30 f/2.8 1/13 sec ISO 1250

Jim216 Loc: South Carolina

Thanks...