I did make a few more images with the Full Buck Moon of July. I had this idea that highlighting the moon and Quabbin Tower would make for an interesting picture. The Photographers Ephemeris got me to the right place at the right time, or so I believed. Turns out it isn’t 100% all the time. The moon rose over Quabbin Hill a half hour later than predicted and off by several degrees in the azimuth. I had thought it would rise behind or close to the tower according to TPE. I’ll try again another time and possibly from a different position along the shore.
Missed it by this much. 
It was a lovely moon though so I gave it a solo shot. I did not try to fill a frame as the net will be loaded with full frame shots done with longer lenses for better detail. I think I prefer the wider (or in this case-taller) view anyway.
Yesterday morning I thought it would be a good idea to frame the moon with the Quabbin Tower more up close. And hence the post’s title.
Our next scheduled Super Moon is in August and should be even larger according to reports I’ve read. I am looking forward to working with a super model.
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
I agree the second shot is a bit different and has much merit to it, Steve. The colours look excellent on my iPad. Any technical tips for the moonshot? Filters? I would say this is more of a Red Leicester moon than a buck.
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No filters, Andrew. My 70-200 tends to flare badly on its own without any added glass. The techs are: 70-200@200, f/8@1/4sec, -2/3 exposure compensation, ISO 100. I selected the moon, then inverted the selection and applied strong noise reduction for the sky and shadows. The red reflection is due to the shadows dimming the light from the moon lit by the setting sun which had cleared the horizon a half hour earlier….at least that’s what TPE claimed. 🙂
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Thanks Steve. Pretty good DoF for F8, 28,000 miles. I hasn’t realized you would need noise reduction at ISO100.
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I think that distance qualifies as infinity….and beyond. 🙂 Yeah, that is a disappointment with the 5D2 in low light. The deep shadows get some awful pattern banding. If I were more flush I might follow Sandra’s example.
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I’m sure there will be some second hand A7s around now the A7s is available Steve. How is the gallery show going?
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Well, first things first. How funny….I totally forgot this complaint and just ranted about it again on your blog. 😳
The reception was quiet. The hospital, contrary to what I was told, did no advertising. The best part was my friend and only photography instructor I ever had uttering several “wow”s. Almost worth the entire expense of setting the exhibit up. A co-worker ordered a print but then said she might pick a different one……or I am thinking it will be none. That’s it so far. Lots of nice comments, which I do appreciate, but no sales, which I don’t. 😦
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NO advertising??? What are they playing at? Do they not understand the work involved? Rhetorical question. Evidently not. That is so disappointing, Steve but the ‘wow’ factor is clearly there for those who appreciate good photography. Can you get a local paper along?
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I contacted the local paper by the only venue they accept…email…and got no response. On the night of the reception the auxiliary person, a different one from my contact, told me she was sure the hospital had done what they should and it was the paper’s fault. I have my doubts. At any rate, there is a lot of traffic so maybe I will get some calls towards the end of the month. On that night, we had a couple of dozen pregnant couples walk through on their way to a LeMans birthing class. Yes, I know…it’s an old joke about the screaming at child birth. 🙂 But when setting up during the day we did have many doctors and nurses go through. So there is a flicker of hope.
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Steve, you’ve outdone yourself on this one. I’m getting used to your Gate 5 Quabbin Tower photos and this one is the crowned jewel of them all, if you ask me. Pictures of Quabbin in the moonlight are rare so that, of course, adds to the integrity of the photo as well. Picture 1 has to be my favorite, though I like the stronger reflective glow in the second as well.
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Thanks, q. Since the Quabbin is closed after dark, I am not surprised at the dearth of moonlit Quabbin photographs. I was a bit concerned, but the sign says dusk and it was light when I entered. Coming out was almost light enough without my flashlight, but I figured it would warn the night critters…beyond the loud sound of my footsteps. I was serenaded by a whip-poor-will and a bunch of tree frogs on the way out. After the night time incursion a few months back, I was expecting a greeting squad when I walked out through the gate but nobody was there.
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Glad to hear you made it out ok!
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Those are really nice photos, Steve. I also prefer those with other objects for context. Your water reflections one is a good example. Too bad the timing and position didn’t work out right this time. I’m sure you will solve that problem next time. Of course, some other surprise will show up then. 🙂
Thanks for these.
btw…I only saw the moon once briefly Friday night. We got 4.4″ of rain the rest of the time. 😦
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Thanks, Jim. That’s nature for you. There is always some challenge to overcome.
I was sorry to read about your lack of moonlight in your blog the other day. I suppose a few moments is better than not at all, but it is disappointing. That was my history this past several shooting star occasions. Thick clouds each time. I think we may have received some of your rain. We had quite a bit last night….I am not sure how much, but not 4″…and there is more heavy rain due tonight and tomorrow.
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I really like the reflection in the second shot. I often wondered how accurate it was but never tested it. I guess you’ll find out if it’s consistently out by the same amount or within a range which would be most frustrating.
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I have used TPE quite a bit at this point, Lyle. This was the first time it let me down. OTOH, at least it got me there early instead of late which would have been much more problematic. AFAIK, most folks have good luck with the software.
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Good to know.
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I really admire your dedication. But with the spectacular results you obtain I can see why.
We had cloudy skies all three nights.
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Thanks, Rod.
Unfortunately, there was a lot of that cloudy stuff going around. Usually I am in that club too.
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Very impressive, stunning shots. I’m going to have to do a bit of research on TPE though, I’m not sure what it is. Unfortunately your reply to Andrew about how your show is going has ruined this post for me – I”m so FURIOUS on your behalf that the hospital did no advertising and zilch publicity. Their lackadaisical attitude towards your work SUCKS – Their lack of professionalism STINKS and if I were you, I’d be giving them a stern talk. You put hours and hours in to making the work, hours to hang it and frankly, I think they are taking the PISS. Can you tell that I’m very angry???
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Thanks for the support, Lottie. I am not very pleased either. What I will take away is to not rely on others in the future.
TPE is software that takes your chosen location and provides the times and compass direction for the rising and setting of the sun and moon. And as Stephen Trainor’s comment indicates it has a function I was unaware of…..until now.
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I had a chat with Pete about it because I needed to let off a bit of steam on your behalf! Pete said that whenever he’s had a show, or hung work in a public space, he’s had to work his nuts off to do the publicity himself – I was rather taken aback by that but he said that generally speaking it’s up to the artist/photographer to sort out their own publicity. I’m still not convinced and I still think that the hospital could have done more on your behalf but there goes. Thanks for filling me on TPE – what a great bit of software.
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I think Pete speaks truth. 🙂 In all my previous shows, the few that I have had, I did all the advertising and promotion……called the various media, made postcards and mailed them out and promoted to local galleries in hope of creating some interest there. I foolishly took the auxiliary at their word which, as we now know whether their fault or the media’s, was a mistake on my part that will not be repeated. In the future I will do my own and if the host does any it will just be of added benefit. So, while I do agree that they could have done more, Pete is correct and the onus is on moi. Lesson learned.
Thank you, Lottie! 🙂
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No worries, you know that I am a BIG fan of yours and only want what is best. I’m longing for the day when get the recognition that you deserve and make TONS of sales. I still think that you need an agent – not a secret one but a full-on in your face type that will promote your work and get it out there. On a lighter note, I need to go back to that link that you sent me and find some more emoticons to play about with while supper is cooking…..;)
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Again, thanks very much, Lottie. I know what you mean. My moose photographer buddy got very lucky when he partnered up with a woman who is a great promoter. She has gotten his prints hanging all over the state of Maine and they are doing great as a result of her efforts. It would be super to hook up, not as a partner of course, with someone who could do that for me. I am woefully incapable of self-promotion. 😥 😥
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Steve – did you use the geodetics function (grey pin) in TPE to calculate the required time and shooting position? There’s a 2.6 degree rise from the reservoir shore to the tower, which would mean moon would first appear around 20 minutes after normal rise time, and ~3 degrees to the right.
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No I didn’t, Stephen. Thanks for commenting with that. I obviously missed that feature. I probably would have positioned myself upshore so that is valuable information. Sorry, TPE.
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BTW, do you have the ability to get a message when someone talks about TPE? As I didn’t do a ping back, I’m impressed that you were aware of my comments and responded.
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Hi Steve – we keep our eye out via Google for new posts that mention TPE 🙂
There’s a good video on planning for moon shots here: http://photoephemeris.com/moonrise-photography-the-moon-in-the-landscape
The geodetics function is explained at about 5 minutes in.
Would you consider adding an update to the post above regarding the accuracy of the app? I believe the information it provides is accurate, but in cases like this you must use the geodetics function. I’d certainly appreciate it.
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Will do, Stephen. And thank you for straightening this all out. I am sorry I did not see this video a while back, but that’s on me. Thanks! 🙂
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Pingback: 07.15.2014 Shooting the full moon with The Photographer’s Ephemeris | Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog
Just read all the comments about the lousy reception of all your work. I truely believe the hospital could have done the promotional thing but as you have learned it is up to you to promote yourself. Why can’t you get steamed about your work. You have the capability to that, so get with it.
Now I’m off advice. I like the third pic the best. I’ll be honest here and tell you that I’m not a fan of moon in your face photos but no. 3 is high quality. Love that one.
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Thanks, Yvonne. I’m glad at least one person liked the third shot. Not as large a moon. 🙂
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