20061205 - December Moon

love how u can see the depth of this crater

The obligatory full moon shot of any collection of sky photographs. Shot this one with the 200-400 VR Zoom mounted on a Wimberley WH-200 gimbal head on a Gitzo 1325 tripod. See EXIF for shot details, Flickr link is More properties in the Additional Information section.

Anyone, out there that is having trouble getting the moon; keep getting a big blurry orb (yes, me too until I learned the trick). Shoot it at 1/250 sec f/11 in MANUAL mode. That should do the trick, a little post processing for contrast, color/gray balance and of course sharpening and then you'll have the shot you want. For everyone who already knew all that stuff, sorry - please indulge me a bit, OK, the bore light is now officially off .

:-)

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Comments

ScarletPeaches says:

I was just outside trying to take pics of the moon this evening and notta one of them looks like a moon ... I just don't have the right equipment!! I'm so jealous of your moon pics ... they're really wonderfull!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Ophios says:

Echo Scarlet's feelings here. Nothing works that can give me as good a shot as yours Jeff.
I am going to try the exact settings that you have recommended and will post mine... stay tuned!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Fragile Queen [deleted] says:

Spectacularly clear image, one of the best I've seen, of the moon. Superb composition.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Expectant Alchemist says:

Hopefully the email I sent helped Scarletheather . You motivated me to pass along a trick I learned to help others capture the moon more effectively. Thanks for your comments, you are very kind. Trust me, it's more about knowing the technique than the equipment alone. I won't lie to you, the 200-400 VR Nikkor-Zoom don't hurt none either, but any decent telephoto (anything over 150mm will work, better if 300mm plus, will get the job done.

Good luck and show us your shot once you get it - it will be great.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

aussiegall says:

Great shot, such fantastic detail
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Robert Lz says:

Jeff I did everything you said and I get a little yellow marble, Are you closer to the moon than me?
I will tell you how great it is later, I am going to the fire.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Dixie Native says:

THE absolute best moon shot I've seen on Flickr! Breathtaking, stunning, perfect. Magnificent clarity. Thanks for making my night.

An Awesome Shot Award
You are invited to add this image to An Awesome Shot!
Please tag the photo with "AnAwesomeShot"
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Robert Lz says:

I am back and warm
a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/wisdo m" title="Photo
Sharing"> Wisdom
Astonish me!
Now is time to present this Wisdom Award for you!

Would you please add this photo to below group:
www.flickr.com/groups/wisdom/

Seen On-http://www.flickr.com/groups/give_us_your_ best_shot/pool/
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Ophios says:

I got a bright blurry ball. I think it is the equipment too. However, not yet lost hope! Not the best time to try things outside... below freezing and I do not want to win the Darwin award ;-)
BTW- amazing shot Jeff, KUDOS!!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Robert Lz says:

I set it on 1/250 and f11 and it worked, it is small but clear, thanks Jeff
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Expectant Alchemist says:

You may need to adjust shutter speed, longer if too dark, or shorter if too bright and loosing detail - leave the shutter between f/11 to f/16.

On this shot, I was playing with shutter speeds and apertures, bracketing the exposure to see what would work best under the conditions. This shot's exposure was 1/50 sec @ f/18. I stopped down the lens (used a smaller aperture (in f/stops a bigger number is a smaller hole that allows less light to pass through, but creates a sharper image with greater depth of field (DOF))) and then adjusted the shutter so that since I was allowing less light via the aperture I slowed down shutter speed to allow the reduced amount of light controlled by the aperture to expose the sensor for a longer period of time.

I hope this will help explain how this works to you folks who have not ventured into manual exposure control. Just think of it this way, there is an inverse relationship between shutter speed and aperture. In order to get a good exposure, if one increases, the other will decrease. The only other factor here is that ISO shifts the exposure values in a band that moves shutter speed and aperture together. Specifically, ISO is not pertinent to this discussion and let's just accept that the ISO was 100.

I know I said 1/250 sec @ f/11 and then I tell you I shot it differently, don't be confused. I am giving you exposure settings that will put you in the ballpark. Play with your manual controls, unless you don't have manual controls, to fine tune the exposures and you will hit a homerun. Reminder, the TRIPOD is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL, especially on a shot of this type.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

ieatSTARS says:

Wow!! Awesome, awesome, awesome! :)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

coyoteblues says:

WoW! awesome capture !!I saw this in An Awesome Shot!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

darkenergy777 says:

I saw this in An Awesome Shot!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

C . r. A . Z . y says:

WOW saw in A group
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Nadine1016 says:

i saw this in A Group...and wow!!!..i appreciate the tech infof...just specatacular!!!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

mi_kirk says:

Absolutely tremendous Jeff! This is perfect. Thanks for the tips too. A very motivating shot (that envy thing you know). I bet you that VR lens does just the trick, maybe Santa will bring me one :^)

Thanks for posting this
Shown in Sharing Exposures - A Photographers Journey
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Patrick Lavin [deleted] says:

Stunning work..

"A" Class
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Ioja says:

Fantastic. A pleasure to view.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Ioja says:

O.k. I just can't seem to stop looking at it. Is there something subliminal in the photo? Did you put it there or was it put there by the Moonians, maybe better said, the Lunatics.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Expectant Alchemist says:

Thanks to everyone for the very kind response to this shot. I am humbled and excited at the same time that you like it. Much Appreciated!!! It's very motivating.

To mi_kirk, I am rooting for you with Santa on the lens under the tree. I have to be honest about the VR, it's super, but on the tripod you have to turn it off or it will actually create a small amount of blur in the shot.

Shooting handheld or even panning from the tripod it is tremendously effective, Nikon claims to give you 3 stops back and my experiences have agreed with their marketing hype (not being mean to Nikon, but facts is facts). I must confess, as much as I like Nikon's 70-200 f/2.8 VR Zoom ability to get a sharp image I am beginning to think this 200-400 f/4 VR Zoom is the sharpest lens I have ever owned.

I wanted to make sure that everyone knows that all the technical information I provided with the shot was plagiarized from all the really great photographers that discovered how to shoot these types of shots. I am just parroting what I have discovered from reading their tips and then experimenting with the data to get it to work for me. I don't want to take credit, but I do hope passing the info along helps you - that makes it all worthwhile. Let's keep sharing and we'll all get better and better. That will be really cool.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Beth Wold says:

Wow, your shot is so much clearer then mine.... I love it it's beautiful. The crater detail is so cool.

Your shot is what I was hoping mine would look like. I'm not sure if my problem is with the post processing(noise even at ISO 100), or maybe I needed to stop down.... I tried at F5.6. I took another one this morning at about F16... but I didn't have a chance to upload it yet to see what happened.

Shown in Sharing Exposures - A Photographers Journey
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

brasileirinho says:

great detail, very impressive

A+++ Grade Photo
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

n!b says:

High Five
Amateurs
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Matt_Steele1977 says:

Probably one of the best moon shots I've seen. The detail is stunning, great shot!!

FAVORITES ONLY
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

sofieamanda says:

Wow wow, never seen anything like this. Truly brilliant.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Nicolas Valentin says:

crown!!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Jo Ann 315 says:

flickr poker

Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Ann64 says:

High Five
Amateurs
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

RonAlmog says:

High Five
Amateurs
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

ian says:

An absolutely wonderful moon capture!

Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

razik says:

Excellent shot of the moon my friend well done.

Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

PhotoBill629 says:

High Five
AMATEURS

Excellent capture. Well done.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

seanhepburn2006 says:

High Five
AMATEURS

Splendid shot!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Piulet says:

A+++ Grade Photo
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Piulet says:

Now I've seen all the explanation and MANY THANKS FOR SHARING!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Dexter Friedkin says:

THIS WAS MY FAVORITE AT (5 FOR 2)

Thanks for the Moon shooting tip too :)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Photo Art by barry says:

** This was voted a Good Photo from
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

gari.baldi says:

flickr poker

Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

xxx zos xxx says:

flickr poker

Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

§ Mary § says:

Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

k_soggie says:

flickr poker

Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Jon Bryant says:

High Five
Amateurs
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Kels5536 says:

High Five
Amateurs
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

bryanpeabody says:

flickr poker

Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Thomas_McKane says:

Incredible moon shot. Very well done! I still don't have a VR lens in my collection. = ( They are obviously a tremendous asset to any shot where sharpness matters and this one stands out as excellent. I want to thank you for posting your method on this shot, it will help us all when shooting the moon in the future.

Thanks for posting this amazing photograph to the group.

Shown in Sharing Exposures - A Photographers Journey
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

razik says:

Just me
Thumbs Up! from Flickr Smileys

Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

coyoteblues says:

Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

mpsutt says:

That's an amazing shot. I love the detail.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Neto Antonio says:

High Five
Amateurs
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

M_Salazar [deleted] says:

AIN'T NEWBIE(s)
Ain't newbie
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

billadler says:

Exceptional moon photo -- crystal clear, crisp and beautiful.

GLOBAL VILLAGE(s)
GLOBAL VILLAGE
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Turniposaurus says:

Great capture! and thanks for sharing the exposure hints.

Thanks for sharing with the #1 Favorite Group
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

gervo1865_2 says:

Thumbs Up! from Flickr Smileys

Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

♥ P r o t e a says:

Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

srini_g2003 says:

Rate My Photo(s)
Awesome details and very sharp!! Thanks for the tips too...And what sharpening you did in photoshop... because I used smart sharpen in ps and it adds too much noise to my photo...

--
Seen in RATE MY PHOTO(s). Add 1, Reward 5 Different Member's Photo. (?)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

koert michiels says:

Thumbs Up! from Flickr Smileys

Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

_Blue_ says:

Thumbs Up! from Flickr Smileys

Brilliant.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

JasonDGreat says:

AIN'T NEWBIE(s)
Ain't newbie
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Lito Inso says:

nice and sharp! great capture!

AIN'T NEWBIE(s)
AIN'T NEWBIE
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

CiuPix says:

Rate My Photo(s)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr.Poderoso says:

This was my favorite at (5 for 2)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

true2source says:

That is one of the best "moon from earth" shots I have seen on Flickr. And thanks for the tips will give it a go.

I just love the detail of this beautiful,scarred,pounded,beaten,admired and adored orb.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

echobelli says:

AIN'T NEWBIE(s)
Ain't newbie
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Studio386 Photography says:

Rate My Photo(s)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Newfie Bullet says:

Great job here is one I took two nights ago. I like yours better.

I saw this picture in the #1 Favorite Group
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

dachalan says:

This was my favorite at (5 for 2)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

MamaLola* says:

Superb capture!!
AIN'T NEWBIE(s)
AIN'T NEWBIE
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Seen in RATED PRO - Ain't Newbie ( Add 1 - Rate 5 Photos) (?)

You are MY WINNER!
Please add this photo to
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Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Anna.Goldsbrough [deleted] says:

This has to be one of the best shots ive seen! great stuff!

Thanx for the advice on my stella bottle its appreciated, i'll give it go when I get my photoshop back!
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

irb13 says:

Thumbs Up! from Flickr Smileys

Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

head off elephant [deleted] says:

** This was voted a good Photo from
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

i love moon shots, and this one is a good one.
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Ana*J [deleted] says:

WOW! absolutely stunning! love that you didn't center it in the frame.
WOW AGAIN!
--
Seen in Sharing Exposures - A Photographers Journey (?)
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Michel@ says:

Superbe !!

** This was voted a GOOD Photo from
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

Nongbri Family Pix says:

Thanks for the tips - I've always wanted to try the moon shots.
AIN'T NEWBIE(s)
AIN'T NEWBIE
Posted 38 months ago. ( permalink )

fdecomite says:

AIN'T NEWBIE(s)
Ain't newbie
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

Michael Y. Wang says:

Bravo!!!!great capture!
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

jomiwi says:

What a fascinating capture. The detail is truly astonishing.
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

jamespcullen says:

Nice work thanks for the info
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

razik says:

Awesome collection have great holidays my friend
Posted 37 months ago. ( permalink )

dr ama says:

Very nice
I saw this in #1 Favorite Group
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

FAYCEL says:

Heres mine..... But urs is a lot better i guess... great work!!
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

-Steve Roe- says:

This one really is something special - absolutely love it. Great in mono. It's also all that space (no pun intended ) - sitting in a see of seriously 'black' black -awesome shot .
You are a blue ribbon winner! Please add your amazing photo to
Blue Ribbon Photography (invite only images)
Please tag your photo BlueRibbonWinner
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

Expectant Alchemist says:

Steve - thanks so much, I am going to try this again next full moon. I have a 2x teleconverter now and will use it and high speed crop (HSC) mode on my camera (takes the sensor crop from 1.5X to 2.X) to get it as full frame as possible. Appreciate all the kind words and thanks for the invite.
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

One Foot Over The Moon says:

Found it. :) Excellent!

A+++ Grade Photo! please join us
Posted 35 months ago. ( permalink )

NJ Photographer says:

Great shot!!
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

lyadarus says:

wow!!!! .... beautifully captured and this is the first moon shot am seeing with amazing sharpness and details ....
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

***Karen says:

This is awesome!
Posted 28 months ago. ( permalink )

ComputerHotline says:

manojsai says:

wow.

www.flickr.com/groups/first_quality/discuss/7 215760395407...
--
Seen in The Moon [*current* photos only] (?)
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

noprayer4dying says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Lunar photography, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

annrav says:

Amazing detail. Very nice.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

Alex //Berlin _ as+photography says:

This Picture is a great Reflection of your World and you are invited to

Reflect your World (Invite Only /Post1-Award3 or Invite1)

Look at our Weekly Contest
Please add the tag ReflectYourWorld
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

p4r4n01d says:

Such an amazing moon pic, wish I could take moon pics that good, I can't zoom in far enough they are all tiny.
Posted 15 months ago. ( permalink )

tinafrey03 [deleted] says:

great detail !!
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

JRphtgrphy says:

You are invited to display your image and join our group.
I wish I'd taken it!!!

Damn! I Wish I'd Taken That!!! - Invitation
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Post 1--Award 2

Please respect this group by giving awards
if you accept the invitation
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

М£Oo7ά ~ says:

*

wow..

Amazing

*
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Japs4u says:

amazing shot..
I have 24-105 MM canon lens on 40D, i tried couple of times to take moon shot but it was too far off for me..
is a camera lens enough to take moon shots like this or there is anything like telescope needs to be bind with camera??
please advice and if possible reply in flickr Mail.

cheers!
jai.
Posted 11 months ago. ( permalink )

Spontaneousit says:

GORGEOUS !! I envy you for this moon shot
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

mdterp_429 says:

very nice shot. i just tried to take a shot of the moon and its no where near this nice or detailed!
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

Saariy says:

THIRD LIFE (Invite code )

You are invited to add your image to :

Third Life group (invited only)
Give life to 2 other images by by posting Awards on them !

Excellent capture, beautiful picture

YOU ARE INVITED TO ADD
THIS BEAUTIFUL PHOTO TO

*Saariy's Quality Pictures Gallery*
1 POST / 2 COMMENTS. +20 FAVES ARE REQUIRED
Tag your photo : Saariy'sQualityPictures
Posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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Additional Information

Taken in Garland, Georgia (map)
Taken with a Nikon D2X.
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Taken on December 5, 2006
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20061205 - December Moon

Comments

ScarletPeaches says:

Ophios says:

Fragile Queen [deleted] says:

Expectant Alchemist says:

aussiegall says:

Robert Lz says:

Dixie Native says:

Robert Lz says:

Ophios says:

Robert Lz says:

Expectant Alchemist says:

ieatSTARS says:

coyoteblues says:

darkenergy777 says:

C . r. A . Z . y says:

Nadine1016 says:

mi_kirk says:

Patrick Lavin [deleted] says:

Ioja says:

Ioja says:

Expectant Alchemist says:

Beth Wold says:

brasileirinho says:

n!b says:

Matt_Steele1977 says:

sofieamanda says:

Nicolas Valentin says:

Jo Ann 315 says:

Ann64 says:

RonAlmog says:

*ian* says:

razik says:

PhotoBill629 says:

seanhepburn2006 says:

Piulet says:

Piulet says:

Dexter Friedkin says:

Photo Art by barry says:

gari.baldi says:

xxx zos xxx says:

§ Mary § says:

k_soggie says:

Jon Bryant says:

Kels5536 says:

bryanpeabody says:

Thomas_McKane says:

razik says:

coyoteblues says:

mpsutt says:

Neto Antonio says:

M_Salazar [deleted] says:

billadler says:

Turniposaurus says:

gervo1865_2 says:

♥ P r o t e a says:

srini_g2003 says:

koert michiels says:

_Blue_ says:

JasonDGreat says:

Lito Inso says:

CiuPix says:

Mr.Poderoso says:

true2source says:

echobelli says:

Studio386 Photography says:

Newfie Bullet says:

dachalan says:

*Mama*Lola* says:

Anna.Goldsbrough [deleted] says:

irb13 says:

head off elephant [deleted] says:

Ana*J [deleted] says:

Michel@ says:

Nongbri Family Pix says:

fdecomite says:

Michael Y. Wang says:

jomiwi says:

jamespcullen says:

ian says:

MamaLola* says:

FAYCEL says:

Saariy says: