Hazy Moon Transit: I was trying to get a telephoto shot of the 3/4 full moon last week, when this jet flew right across the face of the moon as I was composing the shot. Not wanting to...

Buzz Lightyear

I was trying to get a telephoto shot of the 3/4 full moon last week, when this jet flew right across the face of the moon as I was composing the shot. Not wanting to miss this rare occurrence, I didn't really have time to set up the camera ideally, so the image came out a bit underexposed and somewhat grainy (even though it was shot at ISO 100). I have applied a little highlight recovery, but that's it. I would appreciate any suggestions on how to improve the shot to bring out the colors, the image of the moon and the jet and make all a bit clearer and sharper. The shadow in the left corner is the roof line of a building that I can clone out later.

Jet transiting the moon

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

In view of recent events on the forum, I would like some clarity - I have downloaded your image, improved the clarity etc. but won't upload without your express OK.

Wendy2 Loc: California

Searcher wrote:

In view of recent events on the forum, I would like some clarity - I have downloaded your image, improved the clarity etc. but won't upload without your express OK.

DITTO!

Buzz Lightyear

I'd be happy to OK permissions, but how do I do that?

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

Buzz Lightyear wrote:

I'd be happy to OK permissions, but how do I do that?

You just did.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

Buzz Lightyear wrote:

I was trying to get a telephoto shot of the 3/4 fu... (show quote)

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

I have not done much, in Lightroom increased clarity, contrast, increased whites and highlights, decreased blacks and shadows.

Brilliant picture. How good would it have been if you had seen it coming?

Wendy2 Loc: California

Buzz Lightyear wrote:

I'd be happy to OK permissions, but how do I do that?

Thanks, you just gave permission, so here is something I came up with.

another version

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

Sorry, forgot to click the Store Original button

Buzz Lightyear

Searcher wrote:

I have not done much, in Lightroom increased clarity, contrast, increased whites and highlights, decreased blacks and shadows.

Brilliant picture. How good would it have been if you had seen it coming?

Thank you, Searcher. Much better. Is it possible you can upload your original so I can take a closer look? Interesting that you say you decreased blacks and shadows, but it appears to me that the shadows around the periphery have actually been increased. Still, it may actually be an acceptable improvement as it frames the image in a vignette.

Ooops - I see you did download your original. Thanks.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

Buzz Lightyear wrote:

Thank you, Searcher. Much better. Is it possible you can upload your original so I can take a closer look? Interesting that you say you decreased blacks and shadows, but it appears to me that the shadows around the periphery have actually been increased. Still, it may actually be an acceptable improvement as it frames the image in a vignette.

Ooops - I see you did download your original. Thanks.

My bad English, I INCREASED blacks and shadows to increase the contrast a little more.

Buzz Lightyear

Wendy2 wrote:

Thanks, you just gave permission, so here is something I came up with.

Wendy -- thanks. I like what you did. Can you explain?

Wendy2 Loc: California

Buzz Lightyear wrote:

Wendy -- thanks. I like what you did. Can you explain?

Sure! As you may know, there are only a zillion ways that you can do one thing in photshop! If you don't have photoshop, this may not make sense to you.

First I cloned out the dark area, that part is easy.

Then I created a new adjustment layer, using Brightness, set it to screen, inverted it, then painted over the trail and the moon. I did the same, only chose Multiply the second time and painted over the darker parts of the moon.

Next, I used Levels and increased the Contrast and did a wee bit of sharpening.

To make the moon brighter, I could apply the Brightness technique again. I like the brighter moon in Searcher's edit.

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

What I like is the fact that when blown up the aeroplane has shape - wings, tail etc. I find the detail quite astonishing for the distance. Without binoculars I am not sure that I would have seen the plane at all.

Buzz Lightyear

Wendy - thanks. Yes, I have Photoshop and will try some of the things you suggested.