While it appears that you have solved your problem, I'll add my 2 bits of experience anyway.

A while back I had a similar problem with a mouse on a laptop. When I turned off "Display pointer trails" (in Control Panel -> Mouse Properties -> Pointer Options or something like that) the problem went away. Doesn't make much sense to me but that might help someone with this type of an issue.

YMMV

Jerry

For anyone looking at this in the future, below is the photo I captured the following month from the same location. This time, the photo was taken the evening before the full moon (about 15 hours before true full). Key settings were ISO 100, f20, 1/40th sec (well before sunset). The raw file was processed in Lightroom to help the lighting. Noise reduction is not an issue this time.

This month there are a number of forest fires in Oregon which added a layer of smoke to the horizon. Because of that, the photos when the moon was lower are not quite as pleasing. On the following evening the mountain was nearly totally invisible from Portland's Rocky Butte due to the smoke layer. That was a bummer for about 50 photographers and 300 others up there that evening.

I rented a place once that said small nail holes were fine for pictures, but if I used the stick on hangers then I would be responsible for any damage. The explanation was that the stick on ones are more prone to rip off paint/texture. If the adhesion of the paper layer of the drywall is less than the hanger adhesion and there is too much weight, then the patch job could be larger. (At least that was the explanation when I asked about it)

For me, I have always used the small nails (brads) to hang all my pictures. I have never had a problem and even if I did I would have no trouble patching the tiny hole.

YMMV

Jerry

One monitor calibration website is at: < https://www.photofriday.com/calibrate.php >

It makes for a good first pass on brightness and contrast.

YMMV

Jerry

I installed Noiseware Community Edition and it can really do a good job on noise. See the image below. (It might be a little bit over processed, but it shows the improvement from noise reduction)

Between that and the other suggestions, I should be able to improve my shots during the full moon this coming weekend. (assuming the weather cooperates).

Thanks to all who commented.

Nice photos. I will be quite pleased if any of mine in the future approach what you have accomplished.

Good links too. I had already found the Photographers Ephemeris software. It helped in figuring out where to be last month.

Closer to the moon? I'd love to do that, but the mountain would be behind me back on earth. :-)

Just kidding. There are tradeoffs for getting closer to the mountain too. The relative sizes of the moon and mountain changes and I'd need to research potential locations along the lines of interest. Then there are all the trees in the way. This is Oregon... Closer is a possibility for further in the future.

Hi. With the second super moon of the season coming this next weekend, I would like to get some opinions on what it takes to get a good photo with it. Below is an example of what I accomplished last month. My equipment (which is not going to change in the near future) is a Nikon D5100 with two kit lenses (18mm-55mm & 55 mm-200mm). I also use a tripod and remote shutter button for this.

Last month, my hope for taking a pictures on the evening before the full moon was ruined by clouds, so it was the next evening (after the moon was truly full early that morning). By the time it rose from behind the mountain, about a half hour or so after sunset, the mountain was getting fairly dark. Because the moon moves fairly quickly, I tried keeping the shutter speed fast enough to keep the moon from blurring. With the aperture as wide open as possible (which was only f5.6 at the 155mm zoom), the ISO value had to be high enough to make the photo pretty noisy. I also tried using in camera HDR because the moon would be bright but the mountain would not be. That didn't seem to make any difference, partly because the moon isn't as bright as expected near the horizon. It also forced me to use jpg instead of raw.

This month, I hope to get out there a day or two ahead of the full moon, weather permitting, to capture the moon while the mountain is still sunlit. From this same location it looks like the moon will rise much higher on the mountain, which is ok. However, due to the increased elevation before it can appear, it won't show up until probably about 45 minutes after it's official moon rise time. (Moon rise is based on flat horizon) The mountain might be brighter, but the moon will be dimmer.

This time, I plan to allow somewhat slower shutter speeds (maybe 1/10s to 1/30s) so I might be able to keep the ISO value down. I also have a CPL and a UV filter. Are they or any other filters likely to help with these photos? What other suggestions does anyone have that I should try in order to improve the chances of getting a photo that is close to the best I can do with my setup? Are there any tricks to the trade that might help? The moon raises fairly quickly, so there is not a lot of time to think on the fly.

The one thing I know I can't do much about is the weather. This is the Pacific Northwest and hazy mountains with at least some clouds is not uncommon. Any tricks for the haze?

Thanks,

Jerry

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I'm obviously not catzeye, but I would love to see what you were able to do with this image. From what I could tell, everyone else made suggestions (very good valid ones) on how to avoid the problems with this image, but you were the only one to try to "fix" the image like the original post asked.

My guess is that you were probably far more appreciated for taking photographs at the family weddings where you get paid with a "thanks" and leftovers , than the formal choreographed show weddings where the photos are mostly staged. In one, you have a bond with the wedding party. In the other you are just a hired worker.

My brother was our photographer at our wedding. It wasn't half as exciting or unusual as the weddings you describe, but more casual than a lot of them out there. He was photographing a family event, not a big production. We think he did a pretty good job with his 35 mm Minolta. We paid for the film and processing, but probably didn't thank him enough. In two days (Saturday), we will remember and celebrate that event that took place 34 years ago.

Jerry

Regarding Multnomah Falls (a definite place to go see), you might want to put it near the end of your schedule. Right now it isn't quite so picturesque, due to repairs of the people bridge that is in the middle of most pictures of the falls....

http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/apr/29/battle-ground-firm-benson-bridge-multnomah-falls/

Conditions for photographing.....

Historically, Portland has an average of 12 rainy days in May. Many of the remaining days will be cloudy. Of course the rainy averages are slanted more toward the beginning of the month, and many of those days may have just a shower or two. Dress appropriately in layers and have a rain proof layer available. ( http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=89627&cityname=Portland-Oregon-United-States-of-America )

Given that, if you can be somewhat flexible it will help. The mountains are not all that great to photograph on most rainy or cloudy days (there are exceptions) Generally if it is cloudy, Mt St Helens is a total bust. (I've been there on both sunny and cloudy days). However, waterfalls are often best photographed on cloudy days, and/or just around sunrise for lighting and less people reasons. (Early to bed, early to rise)

On the tail end of your visit is the Rose Festival in Portland. It starts the weekend of May 24th and goes for the following two weeks. The crowds will be greater, but the roses will be in bloom. If you like to photograph people and carnival activities this might be a plus. The joke around here is that the sun comes out just after the Rose festival ends. Of course that isn't totally true, but there are more sunny days after that.

Have a great visit.

Another voice for the Oregon Coast. The coast highway is not the fastest way to travel north but very beautiful with lots of little towns. The views are amazing in many places. Most of the Lighthouses can be toured and make nice photos. (restoration projects often close one or two of them) Take you time to really enjoy the trip.

Since the redwoods were mentioned, the largest ones are around Humboldt State Park. Redwood National Park has many redwoods that are big compared to other trees, but those at HSP are much larger.

As for the equipment, you will not be very close to much of the wildlife on the cruise, so you will need lenses for both the wide landscapes and to pull the wildlife closer.

Jerry

Harris Beach State Park

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Heceta Head Lighthouse

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Cape Arago

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Inside Umpqua Lighthouse

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