suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

What is it about the moon that fascinates photographers? I see "the moon" that looks the same no matter what. It may be closer or further away, larger or smaller but unless it is placed in context to time and place so what?? What say you moon photographers?

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

I don't think it's what we see or what we photograph, I think it's what we feel. I must have a boatload of moonshots and I never tire of taking them in any variation I can think of.
For me the moon is as it was for all my ancestors and will be the same forever. There is a cycle of life theme in it that captures my fancy.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Other than the fact that "I used to be a werewolf, but I'm all right NoooooooowW!", good moon photographs are harder to do than they look. Perhaps it is just a rite of passage...

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

I like the images of the moon where, when you look close, you can see a little Starbucks on one side...🤫

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

For me, it is trying to get the shot that shows the maximum clarity and definition in the craters and detail. Even with experience it is not easy at times. The atmosphere can make it difficult as well as what phase the moon is in. I usually get my best shots when there is a crescent moon on clear night, especially later in the night as the atmosphere improves.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

Because it is intriguing to photograph some thing so far away and the challenge of getting a shot with good definition and detail. Not as easy as it seems at times.

ELNikkor

With the right foreground and exposure, it really makes a good photo more attractive.

alf85 Loc: Northumberland, UK.

How often do you see the moon like this, this months super moon.
Regards, Alfie.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Agreed. The best moon shot that I have ever seen was taken in San Francisco. It was a super moon rising over the street at the top of a hill between buildings. The shot was taken towards the bottom of the hill looking up. The moon looked huge.

But more often moon shots are isolated. I guess some are drawn to the moon.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Nicely explained!

alf85 Loc: Northumberland, UK.

Thank you very much for your comment, some of us dont have any other chioce, most of the time all i have to photograph is the birds in my garden through the kitchen window, or the moon at night.
Regards, Alfie.

Pitt 2020 Loc: Farmer City, Illinois

The moon is interesting to me as different ones have different names. It' really changes a lot during it's daily orbit around us in the evening, clouds, lighting, size and the shape. It's fun to get the sharpest detail in one shot or just use it as background in another. This shot is shot with grain in mind for the over all effect that it produces. I hope you can see the moon a little differently. The wolf moon... 400mm 1/40 sec. f/6.3 ISO 2000

The Wolf Moon 12/3/2017

(Download)

Chris981 Loc: Pacific Palisades

To me it is a challenge. At the same time kind of a special subject to get good details and shadows. I just try and take advantage of a good moon and clear night. However, it isn't a thing with me.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Would you believe five years ago I posted a main forum topic titled "Why shoot the moon?"

Old Timer nicely describes the challenges re details and the differences that can result from phases (the angle from which the sun hits the moon) and atmosphere. But Pitt2020's breathtaking photo posted here speaks volumes to the artistic side. Wowsa, what a beauty!

I became addicted to wanting to catch the full moon at the horizon line after the thrill of seeing the first glimpse of yellow peek over a peak. Two very modest older jpg's below (no processing) posted just to explain what I mean. First is moonrise, second is moonset.

With the sun, we are used to it being too bright to look at directly and we are used to it looking relatively the same at every sunrise or sunset - it's the surrounding clouds that attract us and remain in memories.

But the timing - and being in the right location - of capturing a full moon right at sunrise or sunset only happens every 29 days or so. And of course it's the closest "heavenly" body we can see clearly.

So as photographers we have to work hard for the shot plus rely a lot on weather, and as humans interested in the great beyond, we have this fascination with space, planets and stars. And as #3 below shows, moons can be combined in composites for a whole other kind of fun!

Thanks for a very thoughtful topic, suntouched.

(Download)

alf85 Loc: Northumberland, UK.

My best shot in 2017.
Regards, Alfie.