ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I wanted to shoot the moon rise and when I got to the location I had chosen, I saw this bench and just had to go for it. This is not a composite. I looked up when the moon would rise and where on PHotographer's Ephemeris and then chose a spot that I thought would be interesting and have the moon at the right angle. Comments always welcome. I set the camera on a tripod and put the timer at 20 seconds. Then I ran up to the bench and sat down. When I heard the shutter go, I went back and did it again....and again. lol I think I like the black and white better. Comments always welcome.
Erich

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Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I like the idea of this very much. But I'm not fond of the bench dominating the scene. Given your time limit and sprinting ability, I'm thinking a more balanced and interesting image would be to have only half the bench, more sky and area to right of moon (it's uncomfortably close to the edge of frame) and your head turned slightly to the right for a partial view of your face.

I tried a little fill light in Chromebook app and like the color better with that adjustment. In each, you might try cloning out the shiny disc at your foot.

I love that you're doing so many creative and different exercises, Erich!

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I thought about that white whatever it is. I think it needs to go. The color version seemed very "muddy" to me. If the weather plays along, I might go back this evening with a speed light off camera. That might be fun. If I do, I'll keep your ideas in mind about the bench and turning my head. Or I could actually take someone along. Nah, lone wolf thing works for me. People look at you really strangely when you fiddle with a camera and then run top speed and plop onto a bench. All part of the fun. Thanks, Linda.

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

I find your composition well done. There maybe different shots and angles but they would not be this capture. There is a lot yet to be brought out in the color version, at the option of the photographer. Well done Erich.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Thank you. I agree that changing the pose would, of course, change the photo completely. I enjoyed doing the shots and might go back and examine other possibilities. I will bring a flash along for fill. Could be fun. Thanks for your input. I also need to work on that color shot. You are right that pp can alter it significantly. Thank you.
Erich

R.G. Loc: Scotland

I keep thinking that an uninterrupted view of the bridge would have been nice, but then again I'm not sure if the shot needs another subject to compete for attention. In my viewer I tried a closer crop where I took a skim off of the bottom edge and I liked the more intimate feel that it gave. It felt like I was there sharing the scene with the bench person.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

That is an interesting point. I'm not totally satisfied with the composition. The moon is going to be essentially just as full this evening and rising in the same area. I think I am going back there with some other lenses and some other ideas for composition. Linda's idea is appealing. I thought I might try sitting on one side of the tree that is right on the right of the photo (not visible in the photo) and have the moon rising on the other side of the tree. I like the way the moon comes up over the bay in this shot. Right time of year and right time of month. Must take advantage of this opportunity! Thanks for taking a look. I'll post what I come up with if it is a significant improvement.
Erich

R.G. Loc: Scotland

I think you might find that the tree splits the photo in two. On the other hand, the tree might do a very nice job of framing the right hand side of the scene, possibly with the moon being framed from above by the tree's branches. That might give you the chance for a slightly more profile view of yourself (and the bench), and a clearer shot of the bridge too. Just remember to keep the aperture small if the tree is close up on the right. And good luck with the weather .

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I was thinking about the shots I want to try and you are right. Putting the moon between on one side of the tree and the subject on the other would split the composition. Not ideal. I think I will frame it so that the subject is sitting against the tree and the moon will be coming up right behind the subject. THen, when the moon is a bit higher, I can recompose and try a shot wherre the tree frames the shot. I know exactly where the moon is going to come up and when (to the minute thanks to The Photographer's Ephemeris). Should be fun. Interestingly, the difference between the sunset and the moon rise was about 2 minutes yesterday. Today the moon comes up 45 minutes after the sun goes down. It might be too dark. I'm going to bring a remote speed light. Lot a trouble just for a photo....lol
Erich

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Erich the first thing I would say is if your enjoying it carry on. Its never going to be more than a guy sitting on a bench with a pleasant view and a moon. It may be technically perfect but its still only gonna be the guy the bench and the moon.That may be enough for you. I would like to see a bit more thinking out of the box personally. Seen this done before with such thinking, one had the guy reading a newspaper by torchlight and one had the guy sitting on a log with a teddy bear. Both back views by the way. It transformed a 5 second glance shot like yours into a stop and look and think shot. If I was going to lug a load of equipment around and set up a shot I would want it to be different enough to make people look rather than give it a cursory glance.
It may be FYC is quite happy with a quite mundane shot and content to show concern about the bench placement and the bridge but with a little thought put into it there is so much more available with this location and a guy willing to lug equipment around.
Important thing my friend is too enjoy and I get the feeling you do but coming home with a shot that stops folks in their tracks only heightens that enjoyment.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

We disagree on one point. I don't see a significant improvement in composition if the guy is reading a newspaper. Teddy bears are out. I will lug equipment; but I draw the line at plush toys. I like this shot and it was interesting enough for me to try to get something a bit different; but I'm not used to working in those light conditions. Just getting the shot was a challenge. Now I can start working on creativity. Thanks for the input. Glad you took a look and commented.
Erich

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Point taken but composition is very different to content. Content can provide the wow factor composition usually just pleases the eyes. The one I saw the guy was reading the newspaper by the light of a torch. The torch was what made it interesting and different.
I would sincerely hope you do not include a teddy bear it would not be original and I would expect creativity with originality from you my friend. Nothing less!!!!

NJFrank Loc: New Jersey

Interesting idea. My suggestion is to sit on the left side of the bench. That way you have an uninterrupted view of the bridge leading the eye to the moon. Also don't have the moon so close to the edge.
Thanks for sharing your shot

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

I missed the full moon for this month. I am, however, going to go back to that location at around twilight and try some of the ideas that have been posted. I do like the idea of the newspaper and the torch. We call them flashlights; but a torch with real fire might do the trick! Problem number one, though, is that the location is directly behind a police station. They take, I would assume, a rather dim view of such things....even if it is in the name of ART!
Erich

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

Maybe a police flare is in order.