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.