nina050
FollowA photographer's dream: to be in one of the most iconic and photographic places on earth, with both a sunset AND a full moon! A feast for the eyes and mus...
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A photographer's dream: to be in one of the most iconic and photographic places on earth, with both a sunset AND a full moon! A feast for the eyes and music for the soul. Monument Valley, Arizona on the Navajo Nation - October 2016
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Awards
Action Award
People's Choice in DYNAMIC LANDSCAPES THAT POP Photo Challenge
Legendary Award
Winner in Moonstruck Photo Challenge
Winner in Shoot the Moon Photo Challenge
Winner in Beautiful Desert Scapes Photo Challenge
People's Choice in Majestic Places in Nature Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Night Wonders Photo Contest
Winner in To the Moon & back Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Stillness Photo Contest
Winner in Night Landscapes Photo Challenge
Runner Up in The Moonlight Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in The Moonlight Photo Contest
Winner in Lunar Perigee - Show your best supermoon! Photo Challenge
Winner in Full moon rising Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Large Photo Contest
Amateur Winner The Moon Photo Contest
Winner in Greatness in Nature - no adult content please Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in The Moon Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Social Exposure Photo Contest Vol 6
Contest Finalist in Sweeping Landscapes Photo Contest
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
Superior Skill
All Star
Genius
Virtuoso
Top Ranks
Categories
Frederico_Verreet
October 27, 2016
Beautiful Nina. That Moon gives a sense of hope to a desolated scenery.
mcampi
October 27, 2016
Hard to believe this is exactly how it looked. It was sure worth waiting for the sunset. Love the texture of the foreground rocks and the wonderful clouds. Another Masterpiece ..... Mark
mihrt
October 28, 2016
beautiful work in your shadowed areas Nina - excellent exposure and of course lovely edit. So glad you enjoyed your trip.
lizziemellis
October 31, 2016
Beautiful sunset, the full moon is just perfectly splendid casting a spell of the whole scene, a winning masterpiece:-)
Pamelabole
October 31, 2016
Gorgeous!!!!! Love your light and shadows, soft night colors and that full moon!!!....and of course the beauty, color and textures of the rocks. Love it!!
ElenaRK
November 05, 2016
What a masterpiece!!! There is so much beauty is this photograph. Awesome composition, great sharpness and definition in the foreground, gorgeous sky... Wow, just Wow.
robhansen
November 06, 2016
Wowmazing!! This is so awesome ,not just the place mind you ,its the the composition ,that soft evening light with a moon as well !! So beautiful.
RDVPhotography
December 04, 2016
Excellent work and planning, love this place and thinking of a winter trip. You stay at View Lodge? Have to see if they are open winter, Congratulations on making the finals
estercastillo08
December 07, 2016
Congratulations Nina , being a finalist, Sweeping Landscapes Photo Contest, good luck
kathymuhle
December 09, 2016
Wow! That is the 17mile road? Where you at the Visitors Center when you took it? Did you know it was a super moon when you booked the trip? If not, very lucky you!! Stunning!
kathymuhle
December 09, 2016
Congratulations on your finalist win!! Didn't see it till I scrolled down!!
KayBrewer
December 14, 2016
Lady, you've done it again! So many congratulations - finalist in the Social Exposure contest! So well-deserved!
JoyceDickens
December 14, 2016
This is spectacular work dear Nina! Congratulations on being a finalist in the Social Exposure Vol 6 Contest!!!
KayBrewer
December 22, 2016
OK, Ms Nina, you've done it again. This picture is working for you! Finalist in the Moon contest and well it should be! Good luck!
talk2suemac
January 27, 2017
I LOVE this photo I was there a month later but it was cloudy. I love the way you captured the light and colours. I'd love to learn from someone like you.
DorisSeybold
February 03, 2017
Congratulation Nina!!!! I knew you`ll make it with this awesome shot!!! Hooray!!!!!!!
KayBrewer
February 04, 2017
Wow, Nina! Amateur winner in the Moon contest. Way to go, girl! And well-derserved!!!
terryc
February 23, 2017
This is the prettiest shot I've ever seen taken in Monument Valley, Nina!! I just love it!! Congrats on all of your well deserved awards!!
BrendaCrawford
February 25, 2017
I was going thru the contest entries and saw this and immediately knew it was one of yours. Will never get enough of some of your shots. Just amazing, voted for you, for sure. Good luck friend :)
RoadKing1985
March 01, 2017
Monument Valley is one of those that Natives and all love alike. Its a very spiritual place and lends itself to mega photo shots. Thanks for sharing. Im always amazed at that National Monument. I live in way down Southeast Arizone and still have not made it up there. What an amazing shot.!:)
DorisSeybold
July 02, 2017
CONGRATS Nina! Finalist in LARGE Photo Contest! and I suppose that many prizes and awards will follow - this photo is genius!!!
KayBrewer
July 02, 2017
Yea! Congratulations, Nina, for this fantabulous picture being a finalist in the Large contest!
GayleLucci
July 03, 2017
Congratulations, Nina! A truly monumental shot of one of the grandest spectacles on the planet... Your amazing photography allowed us to see Her at Her most spectacular.
mihrt
August 17, 2017
Congrats on being featured in AWAKE MAGAZINE AGAIN NINA !! what an accomplishment !
Pamelabole
January 19, 2018
Still loving it!! : ) Congrats on being a well deserved contest finalist.....you and Mark both nailed this shot!! : )
deannefortnam
January 31, 2018
Congratulations on your Runner UP in the Moonlight Photo Contest, well deserved
Pamelabole
February 05, 2018
Still loving it!!
Congrats on being the runner up in the Moonlight contest!! : )
Congrats on being the runner up in the Moonlight contest!! : )
Oceanskyphotography
October 16, 2018
This photo shows the true beauty of our planet! Best wishes in the contest!
Eddieuuu071
October 31, 2018
Thank you for submitting your wonderful photo to my “Best Edit” challenge! Great job! Good luck!
JayneBug
April 16, 2019
A feast for the eyes and soul indeed. Magnificent beauty, color and image. . Magical. Congratulations on all of your awards for this capture.
KayBrewer
April 15, 2020
Nina, congratulations on your so-deserved win in the Moonstruck challenge! Way to go, girl!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
Monument Valley in Arizona is one of the most iconic photographic places in the world. The Visitors Center has probably the best view of the mittens so we made a point to be there well ahead of sunset in order to set up our tripods in preparation for low light conditions.Time
We arrived well ahead of sunset in order to gain a "front row seat" ahead of the hordes of other photographers who were there to try to capture the same scene. This photo was taken at approximately 6:30 p.m. in mid October after the full moon had emerged from the cloud cover and had risen to a good height over the monuments.Lighting
Because we were experiencing a "super moon" this particular night, the light was much stronger than it would have been on an otherwise moonless night. However, in order to capture the depth of color in the rocks and the sunset, a slow shutter speed was still required which of course necessitated the use of a tripod.Equipment
This photo was taken with my Nikon D750 full frame DSLR with a 28-120mm Nikkor lens mounted on a tripod. A remote release was also used.Inspiration
Monument Valley is one of my favorite places in all of the American southwest. The photographic opportunities are endless. Because I knew that there was going to be a full moon along with the possibility of a sunset on this particular night, I felt very comfortable that I was going to have the opportunity to capture something very special. I wasn't disappointed!Editing
Some minor adjustments for overall tonality, clarity and sharpness were made in Lightroom. However, this photo is representative of exactly how I remembered this scene appearing in real life.In my camera bag
My current camera of choice is a Nikon D750 full frame DSLR. I usually use my Nikkor 28-300mm zoom lens which I find to be very versatile in most situations. I also have a Nikkor 24-120mm lens which was used to shoot this particular photo. I always have 2 64gb memory cards in my camera with a 32gb spare in my bag. Additionally, I always carry a fully charged spare battery and battery charger, UV and polarizing filters for all lenses, a Tiffen variable ND filter, the Cokin filter system, a lightweight carbon fiber tripod, a remote release, and cleaning supplies.Feedback
Landscape photographers often have the luxury of returning to a particular location at different times of the day or night (or seasons) in order to capture a scene under different lighting or weather conditions. This is particularly true of a place like Monument Valley. However, since you can't always count on a sunset (or full moon!) there is also a bit of luck involved. But planning ahead usually helps to maximize photo opportunities. Most landscapes are best captured during the early morning or late afternoon hours during the "golden hours" when the light is softer and more appealing. This is especially true of red rock country. Lastly, when coming to a popular place like Monument Valley, it is best to plan on at least a couple of days to visit so that you have plenty of time to explore ... and because lodging is limited, it is always wise to make reservations well in advance!