How to capture this scene?
Jan 12, 2020 09:50:30 #
BooIsMyCat wrote:
The point is you can't expose properly for a full moon and landscape in the same frame when it's dark out. So, the OP will be unsuccessful with that part tonight. It's difficult to get a good exposure (with detail) of the moon AND the surrounding landscape in one shot. If one cannot properly expose for the moon, how can they expect to expose properly for the entire scene?
But he can practice on just the moon, for sure
I mentioned that the tendency is to keep lightening the exposure (I did the same with my first attempts!) when usually the opposite is required.Jan 12, 2020 09:58:46 #
(1) shoot the moon, exposing for the moon. The exposure will be shorter than you expect. You will get a photo with the moon showing features, but the sky and everything else will be mostly black.
(2) shoot the scene, exposing for the scene, at a time when the moon is somewhere else.
(3) combine the two exposures in post. This will require software capable of handling layers. Photoshop is my choice, but something like GIMP is free. There are several ways to do it. One way would be to select the moon in the first shot and mask out everything else, leaving it transparent. Then paste it onto the second shot. You can adjust the position and size of the moon.
One advantage to this approach is that you wind up with a masked photo of the moon which is available to place on other shots as desired.
One disadvantage to this approach is that you have a learning curve on the software you use to mask out the moon. Of course once you have gotten through the learning curve you have converted this into an advantage, having knowledge of how to do similar things.
(2) shoot the scene, exposing for the scene, at a time when the moon is somewhere else.
(3) combine the two exposures in post. This will require software capable of handling layers. Photoshop is my choice, but something like GIMP is free. There are several ways to do it. One way would be to select the moon in the first shot and mask out everything else, leaving it transparent. Then paste it onto the second shot. You can adjust the position and size of the moon.
One advantage to this approach is that you wind up with a masked photo of the moon which is available to place on other shots as desired.
One disadvantage to this approach is that you have a learning curve on the software you use to mask out the moon. Of course once you have gotten through the learning curve you have converted this into an advantage, having knowledge of how to do similar things.
Jan 12, 2020 09:59:16 #
you gotta use spot metering. and expose for the moon only. Yes you will overexpose the darker areas, but it's the only way to get the moon. As above Bracket , Bracket.
Jan 12, 2020 10:01:04 #
boberic wrote:
.... Yes you will overexpose the darker areas, but it's the only way to get the moon. As above Bracket , Bracket.
Underexpose
Remember, the scene is in darkness. The moon is in full sunlight.
Jan 12, 2020 10:02:05 #
Toment wrote:
WB can be corrected in pp. Does the sunlight choice give a warmer look? We see some moons posted that are a brownish. I tend to like a crisp white unless the color of the light and/or atmosphere is affecting. That would happen at sunset for moonrise or sunrise for moonset.Well, the moon is reflecting sunlight and that’s what I’ve read, but you’re absolutely correct about exposure, etc.
Jan 12, 2020 10:02:08 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
The problem is exposure and the bigger problem is dynamic range. Nothing to do with white balance.
.
.
Jan 12, 2020 10:02:30 #
genocolo
Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island
My primary goal was not a shot of the moon, but the foreground dock with boats in the moonlight. I can see it. Just can't capture it!
Jan 12, 2020 10:05:44 #
BooIsMyCat
Loc: Somewhere
genocolo wrote:
My primary goal was not a shot of the moon, but the foreground dock with boats in the moonlight. I can see it. Just can't capture it!
Well, doing that will wash out the moon unless you take multiple exposures - one for the moon and one for the foreground then, blend them together.
Jan 12, 2020 10:13:24 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Depends on whether you want to include landscape or fill your frame/crop closely for only the moon. The craters are more visible in other phases, but doesn't much matter if the moon is only going to be a tiny portion of the composition. Re aperture, from previous monthly topics on this subject, we have successful examples posted from f/5.6 to f/16.
Thank you Linda. I'll follow your advice.
Jan 12, 2020 10:14:16 #
Jan 12, 2020 10:18:58 #
genocolo
Loc: Vail and Gasparilla Island
Linda From Maine wrote:
Check the moonrise schedule; there are usually one or two days when you can catch it rising while there is still daylight or twilight. Note there was an hour's difference between the 9th and 10th in your area:
https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/@4156570
Re the exposure, study up on "dynamic range."
https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/@4156570
Re the exposure, study up on "dynamic range."
Yes, I agree that it is a dynamic range problem. Excellent and informative discussion from designpro some years ago.
Jan 12, 2020 10:35:58 #
BooIsMyCat
Loc: Somewhere
genocolo wrote:
Yes, I agree that it is a dynamic range problem. Excellent and informative discussion from designpro some years ago.
I read an article by Ken Rockwell... Dynamic range of a camera means nothing by itself. What matters is how well you can make the subject fit within the range of the camera. That's what makes a photographer a photographer.
Jan 12, 2020 10:45:45 #
gvarner
Loc: Central Oregon Coast
Spot meter on the moon. It is as bright as a bright sunny day. If you can’t meter properly or zoom it up, start with Manual mode and the Sunny 16 rule. Test shoot and adjust accordingly. You need a long zoom to bring the moon in to fill the frame for a dramatic moon shot.
Jan 12, 2020 10:57:22 #
BooIsMyCat
Loc: Somewhere
gvarner wrote:
Spot meter on the moon. It is as bright as a bright sunny day. If you can’t meter properly or zoom it up, start with Manual mode and the Sunny 16 rule. Test shoot and adjust accordingly. You need a long zoom to bring the moon in to fill the frame for a dramatic moon shot.
OP mentions the moon but poster has indicated that was NOT their primary focus... it's the foreground.
Jan 12, 2020 11:25:07 #
BooIsMyCat wrote:
OP mentions the moon but poster has indicated that was NOT their primary focus... it's the foreground.
I didn't interpret either as being a primary interest from what the OP stated. Just the shot.
What statement made you infer that?
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