So far, Lightroom tells me that I’ve not made any images in February…until yesterday. I bemoaned not being able to get out for the full moon. After tending the morning fire for a while I got breakfast ready and then wandered out to the end of the driveway to grab the newspaper from it’s tube and looked up.
Back in the house, set up the camera with the 100-400, make a couple of exposures for the moon and the trees @f/5.6, ISO 400 because it was a bit windy and the clouds were truckin’. Back in the house before the chill set in and blended two of the frames.
Back to the archives…
Stephen Gingold Nature Photography Blog 
What a beauty!
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It was a nice few minutes. Thanks.
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That is magical Steve. Beautifully balanced image!
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Thanks, Pete!
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I like the interplay of the cool and warm colors.
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Thanks. It had a nice aura about it.
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We saw almost the exact same moon down here. I am not experienced enough to photograph it. I do remember the moonlight on the snow in New England.
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This was just at the end of my driveway. I’d have been happier somewhere out in a field but there was no snow on the ground so that effect would have been lost.
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That’s a very successful blend Steve. Of course it looks natural but it has great subtlety and texture. A fine (late) kick off for February.
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Thanks, Andrew. I had to be careful with the blend to not have the moon too strong as there were a few clouds passing in front of it. It still remains to be seen whether it’s a late kick off or the whole game.
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I am with Steve. Very nice prismatic effect in the clouds and beautifully framed by the trees. I’m glad you went to the effort.
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Every once in a while the moon is surrounded by clouds like these which give off a nice prismatic aura. Thanks, Mike…I am too.
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Beautiful shot, Steve. I know from personal experience that it is impossible to properly expose the moon and the clouds in a single image (and have plenty of images with a perfectly white circle for the moon). I really like how you were able to create an image that almost certainly looks like what you were seeing with your eyes.
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Thanks, Mike. Yes, there really wasn’t a way, at least with the technology in my old 5D2, to capture the moon with any detail and keep the clouds well illuminated. Several of the frames I shot were as you described. I am happy with my camera and have said that I am not likely to replace it, despite the now considerably small sensor, unless a fuller dynamic range capability arises.
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Nice shot, Steve. Ready to howl! 😉
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Funny. We have plenty of coyotes running around here yet they were silent. Thanks, Eliza.
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You’re lucky to see the moon at all. We’re waiting…waiting…waiting. The clouds and fog are getting to be a bit much. I’m glad to have your moon to admire.
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Thanks, Linda. Your sky sounds like most of ours have been recently for the full moon. In some ways, I am happier to have made an image like this than one with no interference. But I’ll be happy to get the next one whatever the conditions…aside from heavy overcast. I hope you get to see the next one too.
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Wonderful shot, Steve!
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Thanks, Hannah!!!
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You are most welcome!
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I’m in awe of what you do, Steve. I love the translucency of the clouds here and the way that echoes the moon’s own markings. The two different trees round out this gorgeous image.
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Thanks, Lynn. There weren’t a lot of choices from where I stood. I thought having a frame would enhance things without distracting from the moon and passing clouds. Glad you enjoyed the outcome.
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I think the frame works really well – the whole image does. We have all seen many photos of the moon so to do something different isn’t easy.
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I always try for different but with hundreds of thousands of images out there it’s a challenge. Different from your past efforts is always a good starting point.
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Very Nice Steve! Like how the trees help frame the moon!
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Thanks, Reed. Just the moon and clouds would have been nice but the trees finished the composition.
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Nice mood on this one (and blend job.) My camera is feeling terribly neglected lately too, although I did shoot some crocus the other day.
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It’ll still be a while before we see any spring bulb flowers here. Iris leaves are the first to show and a few of them have started but weeks away yet. Thanks. Blending was the only way for this.
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