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wkrt83

Great Blue Heron and Full Moon

A great blue heron in front of the full moon.

A great blue heron in front of the full moon.
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NIKON D300

settings

Aperture f/6.3 ISO 200 Shutter 1/45

upload_date

Jan, 2013

Views

522

Likes

+34

Awards

Action Award

Featured Store

Top Choice

+12

Outstanding Creativity

+10

Absolute Masterpiece

Superb Composition

Jaw Dropping

Superior Skill

Exceptional Contrast

Magnificent Capture

All Star

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

I took the photo of the full moon somewhere in the U.S. I used to travel a lot and have always been drawn to the magical lunar light of the moon so I have many photos of the full moon taken from various places. I took a separate image of the heron flying somewhere near a lake in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Time

The photo of the moon was taken from around 7:00 - 8:30 PM. Most of my photos of the full moon have been taken between these times when the leading edge of the moon peeks over the horizon to the time it ascends into the eastern sky when it is the largest and most impressive. The photo of the heron was taken in late afternoon.

Lighting

The image of the heron flying actually had a good amount of color and contrast in it as it was taken in the late afternoon. I later used the exposure tool in photoshop to make it black and therefore transform it into my desired mood for the end product image.

Equipment

I have taken full moon shots with several different cameras and lenses but the camera which consistently produces the best sharpest images for me thus far is the "bridge" camera: Nikon P1000 128x stabilized superzoom camera. Handholding, believe it or not, under the "bird setting" (which can give you a 1/500 shutterspeed, and aperture approximately F/ 3.5), will give the best results for moon shots. Just anchor yourself against a car or tree, etc. to help eliminate hand shake. ,

Inspiration

I always love taking photos of the full moon, either by itself, or framed or with something in front of it. The combinations are endless.

Editing

Post-processing is what made this image. I simply placed the heron (after reducing the exposure on it) in front of the full moon with its natural black background. I also blurred the moon in this image but made the edge of the moon sharp. In my study I have the same image with the edge of the moon also blurred. I can't decide which I like better.

In my camera bag

At 68, with arthritis and other medical issues, the days of carrying heavy cameras and lenses are over. I am very happy with, and do nicely with, owning a Sony RX 10 IV "bridge" zoom camera along with my Nikon P1000 "bridge" superzoom camera.

Feedback

Experimentation along with shooting, shooting, shooting will always be your best friend. Also, there are apps you can use on your smartphone that will keep track of the phases of the moon and tell you exactly what times the moon will be full.

See more amazing photos, follow wkrt83

wkrt83

wkrt83

Great Blue Heron and Full Moon

A great blue heron in front of the full moon.

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow wkrt83

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