trc Loc: Logan, OH

John,

Aside from what others have already mentioned about the composition, framing, etc., the one thing that just jumps out at me when I first looked at it is the lighting. I love the color and the basic lighting detail, however, it just seems like something is wrong? The moon is supplying the main lighting for the scene, so it is basically back lit, as far as I can tell or what seems natural. Hence, why are the front of the trees so well lit - it just seems quite irregular to me, or backwards. I can see the lighting on the water - that makes sense, but the lighting on the front of the trees seems to be impossible to me unless you had a very strong wide open spotlight shining on them when you took the shot. Am I all wet behind the ears, am I missing something, or what is the story when you shot the image?

I am not trying to be negative about the shot; I actually truly love it and the way it all appears. I love the moon, the focus, the coloring and the tones, the reflection in the water, the lily pads and/or vegetation on the water surface, the Spanish moss hanging naturally from the Cypress trees, and the sky's color, but those trees being so well lit from the camera direction just naturally doesn't make complete sense to me with the moon serving as a main background light - Hmmmm, help me out, please?

Best Regards,
Tom

RedArrow Loc: Coastal Louisiana

Tom, This is the light from western horizon after the sun completed set. A 30 sec exposure on a tripod with the settings on the D810 where 30sec, F22 and ISO was L10 and L10 is ISO 64 with a extra 3 stops acting as nurtural density filter. I also used a 3 sec delay after mirror lock up. I am enclosing two shots from a 180 degrees to help explain the light source. The second image of the lone tree is close in time to the moon shot. Tom, Feel free to ask any other questions if you still need more. I always look in a full circle because there maybe a shot behind your back that you are missing.

(Download)


(Download)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Both of these are stunning, John! I was just pm'ing Tom about how I try to shoot the nearly full moon just before it sets at sunrise, and I have several from a couple of years ago that were moonrise just at, or just after sunset. Minnie recently mentioned how some other folks shooting the super moon near her totally missed the spectacular sunset colors behind them

In that discussion I learned that the further south you are, the less "twilight" time you have too. For us northerners it partly depends on time of year.

trc Loc: Logan, OH

John,

Thank you very much for for explanation. I fully understand the lighting, now, and guess I never even thought about that aspect of the shot or the time it was taken. Seeing that the moon was in the east makes a lot of sense and that you captured the lighting from the setting sun behind you.

Great thinking, and I am pleased to say I learned something today, so it was a very successful day for me thanks to you!

As I had said before, I really like your image and how well it was done, especially taking advantage of all the lighting you captured in the picture and the camera settings The L10 ISO setting really added a bit more light for your capture! Thanks again, John.

Best Regards,
Tom

RedArrow Loc: Coastal Louisiana

Linda, On the longest day AKA the first day of summer the sun sets here about 8PM and dark less than 1/2 hour later. I really enjoyed the summers up north with light all the way to 10PM or later. The magic light last a lot longer in north and that is a time great for us image makers.

RedArrow Loc: Coastal Louisiana

Tom, Just remember the setting sun colors always start in the eastern sky and move west. In the right location this gives you extra time to take extra images and some maybe the hidden jewel you are looking for. You are there so make the most bang for your buck.

My location at Lake Martin was on a narrow strip of land going out in the the lake about 100 yards and this gave me 360 degree view and I keep looking over my shoulder watching and waiting for the light I was looking to capture. I plan on more trips back this spring summer but it is 120 miles one way so I need to pick the best times and hope the weather works in my favor. There is a water bird rookery there and I will work on that opportunely also.

trc Loc: Logan, OH

John,

Having driven many, many miles at all times of the day & night, I often remember heading west with it being basically dark behind me and light in front of me. Hence, I enjoyed daylight longer when driving west! I also was in and crossed many different time zones, which always kept me on my toes when planning departures and arrivals and planning when driving. Thank you.

Best Regards,
Tom

crabbicat Loc: Arizona

For some strange reason flipping it makes me feel like the whole thing has been straightened. The other way it felt like it was crooked somehow. I'm so confused. :-)

RedArrow Loc: Coastal Louisiana

crabbicat, I live in the land of confusion and have the only official zip code for it. FYI it was only flipped no straighten was performed. I looked at it and I see a little of the illusion also.

G_Manos Loc: Bala Cynwyd, PA

Real improvement. Can't agree that flipping the image helps much. I am amazed that for 30 seconds nothing appears to have moved. Except maybe the water. Agree that some moon detail could add interest but the image works without it. Nice find.

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

What i like about this shot is the framing of the moon by the two main trees. I have go along with the consensus about cropping this shot. But who am i to say crop it. I am guilty far to many times of not cropping my shots. What surprised me is the detail in the trees with a 30 second exposure. I would have figured there would be some movement in that time span and the branches would have been somewhat blurred

RedArrow Loc: Coastal Louisiana

Frank, I am crop handicapped also so I understand where you are coming from. It was absolute dead calm that day and surprising free of evening bugs. I would have fishing boats, canoes and tour boats pass but it calmed down very fast. I plan on revisits this summer as we get the best sunsets in the summer. My luck the sunsets the days before and right after were better than the day I went.