Why Shoot the Moon? I'm curious to hear from people who take close-up, night photos of the moon. Is the appeal strictly technical - a challenge to get the perfect focus and exposure?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I'm curious to hear from people who take close-up, night photos of the moon. Is the appeal strictly technical - a challenge to get the perfect focus and exposure? It seems like other than different moon phases, that once you have a sharp, well exposed image, you're "done" and that your photo probably looks similar to others' results. Or do you feel that the next one could always be better, or is there a mystical or awe-inspiring aspect to the subject that keeps you coming back? Or something I haven't come close to asking here?! Thanks for your input!

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

Well for me its the challange of gettin just the right shot of the moon, and then since we are all over the place someone may get a different view of the moon then the others , same as why i take many photo's of hawks and the fact i enjoy doing it lol

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

Very little of what I shoot has any real purpose so my reason for shooting most anything is just because it's fun and I enjoy it. That's the great thing about NOT being a professional, no concerns about the dollars so just do what's fun. It's a little like going to a ball game, I go over and over only because I enjoy it and it's the same with some shots I take over and over just because I enjoy it.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Linda From Maine wrote:

I'm curious to hear from people who take close-up,... (show quote)

The moon, at 238,900 miles away presents an irrestible challenge to many who attempt to photograph it with sufficient resolution to be able to identify known features. On the other hand, many of us like to use it in the background of ordinary photos. Some of us are crazy enough to take many shots of just the moon so we can plug it into an otherwise mediocre shot.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

I like to shoot the moon because of the challenge, and the hope of getting a more defined and detail picture than before. When I get what looks like a decent shot, I enlarge it to see what the focus is and the detail that is present and how good the contrast is. Very few meet the criteria of the almost perfect shot. It is like robbing a bank, that is where the money is. I believe it is the challenge that is fascinating and that perfect shot we are hoping for..

Haveago Loc: Swindon, Wiltshire. UK.

I shoot the moon pic's because it's there.

Like others i'm just waiting to get that perfect picture with my bridge camera. I also like putting on everything I can, going out in the cold then standing around in the cold for 1/2 an hr then coming back into the warm. Yeah right. :-)

Baz

ASR666 Loc: Singapore

Certain nights you get an interesting phase ... like this one from a few days ago. I called this 'who squashed the moon". :)

Linda From Maine wrote:

I'm curious to hear from people who take close-up,... (show quote)

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Pepper wrote:

Very little of what I shoot has any real purpose so my reason for shooting most anything is just because it's fun and I enjoy it. That's the great thing about NOT being a professional, no concerns about the dollars so just do what's fun. It's a little like going to a ball game, I go over and over only because I enjoy it and it's the same with some shots I take over and over just because I enjoy it.

:thumbup:

Searcher Loc: Kent, England

For centuries mankind has wanted to step upon the moon and discover it's secrets. Explore it's hidden depths and climb the hills and mountains. The likelihood of any present day generation Hogger going to the moon is a bit on the low side, but our cameras can visit this mysterious place. They just need a bit of help, some technical knowhow, some decent weather and sometimes a great devotion to finding new areas of the lunar landscape to search and record.

When we look at those images, we can't actually say that we have been there, but to many - it's close enough.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Ah one aspect I hadn't thought about; thanks!

Mogul wrote:

quote=Linda From Maine I'm curious to hear from p... (show quote)

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

ASR666 wrote:

Certain nights you get an interesting phase ... like this one from a few days ago. I called this 'who squashed the moon". :)

This photo is incredible. I'm sure I have never seen this way!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

dooragdragon wrote:

Well for me its the challange of gettin just the right shot of the moon, and then since we are all over the place someone may get a different view of the moon then the others , same as why i take many photo's of hawks and the fact i enjoy doing it lol

You are traveling often and far from home?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Haveago wrote:

I shoot the moon pic's because it's there.

Like others i'm just waiting to get that perfect picture with my bridge camera. I also like putting on everything I can, going out in the cold then standing around in the cold for 1/2 an hr then coming back into the warm. Yeah right. :-)

Baz

If we aren't suffering, it isn't art.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Searcher wrote:

For centuries mankind has wanted to step upon the ... (show quote)

Eloquently said. Thanks!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Old Timer wrote:

I like to shoot the moon because of the challenge, and the hope of getting a more defined and detail picture than before. When I get what looks like a decent shot, I enlarge it to see what the focus is and the detail that is present and how good the contrast is. Very few meet the criteria of the almost perfect shot. It is like robbing a bank, that is where the money is. I believe it is the challenge that is fascinating and that perfect shot we are hoping for..

An "irresistible" challenge as mogul said.