Saturday, February 14, 2009

sunday stills - the moon

This week's Sunday Stills challenge was the moon. I will admit that these are not my best photos....they are not even good photos...but they are moon photos. I do believe, however, that I get an "A" for effort. I've included the story of said effort...

I have never really photographed the moon...it's never been a subject that interested me. So before taking any photos I went online to do a little research for this challenge. I was planning on buying a tripod anyway, but now I had good reason as every article I read said it was a requirement. So I bought one on Monday. I printed out the moonrise and moonset times for my region for the week and eagerly waited for the clouds to disappear.


the eerieness of this photo jumped out at me

On Tuesday evening, the clouds were moving so I set up my camera with tripod and snapped a bunch of photos. They were all crap. I realized that I needed to get out of the automatic modes on my dslr. So I read some more articles on moon photography. Then I read some articles on basic photography so that I could really understand what they were saying in the moon photography articles. Then I poured over my operations manual so that I could figure out how to work my camera (outside of the automatic settings). It was cloudy for most of the week and each day the moonrise/moonset times kept getting later and later (so I was either asleep or at work).


waning moon....

On Friday morning, I awoke at 3am, flipped over and saw the moon staring at me through my bedroom window. I immediately hopped out of bed, threw on my boots and a coat over my pj's and headed into the backyard with my camera and tripod. I had taken about 25 photos, while fumbling in the dark with my camera manual, when I heard Jones open the window and ask: "Honey? Is everything okay?". "Just taking pictures of the stupid moon," I replied. "Go back to bed." He is still giving me suspicious sideways glances today. And all of those photos were also crap.


this one is my favorite (even with the blurred tree) - i
think it's the most interesting

Saturday morning, 5:15 am, I once again set up shop. The first two dark photos posted are from that session. I took a few more later Saturday morning when there was more light and the third photo is from that round. This last photo is from the only time before this challenge that I have pointed my camera at the moon...it is from my archives, taken about two weeks ago. It was my back up for this challenge in case I couldn't get a shot this week.


my only pre-challenge moon photo

I spent the week being haunted by the moon. I know now that every assumption I have ever made about the moon is true....she is a fickle, elusive creature. Sophie and I would much rather chase sunsets. (But we loved the complexity of this week's challenge and enjoyed learning so much more about our camera and the art of photography)

30 comments:

yolanda said...

beautiful images, as always! i particularly love the first one.

andrea, thank you so much for the comment you left on my blog. really, it warmed my heart to the core. thanks so much for reading, and for letting me know you like it. it means so much to me.

i hope you realise what a wonderful light you shine.

love,
yolanda

Sabrina said...

I did a lot of online researching, too, trying to chase that moon! I love the third one--your favorite. Really neat!

Shirley said...

The third one is spectacular! Also love the moodiness of the first one. You sure put a lot of effort into this challenge!

Hilary said...

You did a great job. Once you start playing more with aperture and shutter speed, there'll be no stopping you. :)

The Wife said...

I think they are are great. Awesome job.

Anonymous said...

I admire your work very much. The last photo is my favorite - very crisp.

desertsandbeyond said...

Wow! Beautiful images! I'm going to have to play with my camera and see what I can get!

Jen Mo said...

You have some really great shots! You have a great talent!

Becky said...

They look pretty darn good to me! Simply beautiful moon!

uought2b.a.dog said...

Those were some good shots of the moon! Shamu and Prissy

CTG Ponies said...

I like them all and you definitely get an A for effort!

RURAL said...

That was too funny, out there at 5 am in the freezing cold, fumbling with the manual, and the settings. Girl, you are a real photographer! See we must suffer for our art. LOL.

I love all the shots, and the story that goes with it.

Jen

Ed said...

Excellent shots I really like the one with the blurred tree. Thanks for the comment on my blog too.

VioletSky said...

Wow, determination paid off for you. I, too, was stymied by the overcast skies. And got nothing.

J9 said...

I agree on the eiriness of the first, and I love the giant moon as well!

Paula said...

OH MY GOSH! These are so good. You did wonderful. I really love the first shot through the trees and then the Gigantic moon shot. Awesome. You're research really paid off!

Far Side of Fifty said...

Your persistence paid off! I chickened out at my pre dawn opportunity! I love the big moon shot it is very interesting! You did good! :)

Flo said...

These are really good. Love the moon through the trees, that's my favorite, but I also love the giant moon. Really good pics.

Mine are up over at my photo blog

Kathy said...

Andrea I think your shots are really good. I need to start reading my manuals and figure out how to take better pictures too. I bought a new camera after taking some crappy ones with hubbys new dslr. My new one takes good ones without having to try too hard. Suits me fine. LOL Have a beautiful day.

allhorsestuff said...

I love the first one,White light of the moon craddled inside bare brantches!
KK

Rising Rainbow said...

Wow! You are your own worst critic, girl! You not only get an A for effort, you get one for content too!!!! You did great with these. I may not be the best with my camera but I have a great eye having done art shows for years with some of the top photographers in the country, I can assure you your moon shots are more than worthy......All of them.

Unknown said...

I realy like the third picture. The moon looks huge in it!

pam said...

I like each and every one of those moonshots. Each one has something different to offer.

Anonymous said...

Great shots! I like the one with the blurred tree best too.

Sabine Peters - Artwork & Photographie said...

Wow! Great job. I love your moon-pictures.

Jan said...

You certainly put a lot of effort into the moon pictures. Now I know why I suck at photography. I don't put any effort into it! I'm glad you do.

Dughallmor Beagles said...

Wow, beautiful! I can never get the moon (all my photos are phone camera!) but you've nailed it, esp with your favourite, it's also mine :o)

gtyyup said...

Nicely done...and great story of how hard you worked at it too!! Touch challenge! But, you did it!

Sharon said...

I really LOVE the first one and the last one!

Caffienated Cowgirl said...

the first one is a great shot!