The 15 Most Impressive Amateur Moon Photographs Analyzed
The moon, our only natural satellite has been an inspiration to artists and photographers, probably since the beginning of recorded history. Any photographer professional or amateur has at some point or the other tried their hands at moon photography.
Unfortunately, photographing detailed close-ups of the moon is not possible without a powerful telescope or tele photo lens. Photographers who do not have such glass still do use the moon as a powerful compositional element, and it is such a category of images we have put together for this posting.
We have selected images that do NOT require expensive equipment out of reach of the average amateur, except for maybe just one image right at the end.
This is a simple image and could have been made using literally ANY camera out there. The photographer has done well to capture the feel of a moonlit night. Notice the purpose off-center placement of the moon in this composition, and also the bluish tint on the entire image, which would have been lost or reduced with a different white balance setting. We like this image because of its simplicity.
This is a very interesting composition, and the color tone has worked to connect all the elements in the frame. A different white balance setting and this would have been a less effective image.
Wow! This is a fine example of spot metering, without which this photograph could have been a very ordinary one. The moon, a light source in itself casts a beautiful highlight on the sea in this case. There is just enough light to give shape and backlight to the clouds, again a key element in making this image work.
What is it about time exposures that seems to take your breath away time after time? Agreed that the cloud formation is lucky for the photographer, but then it still had to be noticed and captured to good effect. Speaking of composition, we are often told NOT to split the frame into two using the horizon, which is exactly what this photographer has done to make this wonderful symmetrical composition.
This image has a very painting-like touch to it, simply because of the size of the moon. Artists of old need only to paint a larger moon to romanticize their images. Photographers of the day change focal lengths!
At first glance, this is not such a striking image. Look close, and you find that the photographer has waited patiently for passing clouds to reveal the moon. The placement of the moon almost dead center could be a point of critique from the point of view of classic composition guidelines. To us, the photograph works because it works, period!
Yet another telephoto, yet another hilltop and yet another full moon. We love it! The presence of three different low key zones within this composition is what truly makes it interesting (apart from the obvious and striking magnification of the moon).
A slow shutter speed here has helped the photographer – the blur on the clouds no doubt improves the picture. It gives the moon a sense of stability in the composition which emphasizes its already existing timelessness.
So where is the moon, you ask? The monotone hue of this image is what tells us that it is photographed in moonlight. Of course the moon is over exposed right behind the clouds on the left side of the composition, but that shift in metering is what has brought out the details of the landscape. Hats off to the exposure control.
This is an extremely simple composition, but we love the image because of the accurate metering. The placement of the moon just off center has made this a good composition. Another striking aspect of the image is the presence of just the 3 critical zones – black, white and middle grey.
This is one of the best images of the moon we have ever seen. The bird in the foreground is what makes the image effective, especially since its beak is turned towards the moon! The use of a telephoto has given us an unrealistic dimension to the moon, and this is probably the oldest trick in the book to romanticize the moon.
Photographing time exposures of the water is a trying process that needs a lot of patience and technique as it is. Doing it in moonlight is something to be appreciated even more! The dream like texture on the water, and the dramatic back light make this a very impressive image.
A very similar image to the previous, but it was simply too good to leave out. Again, a time exposure, again a backlit subject… And we like the composition even better than the last one.
We love this image because of the very reason many may criticize it – the Dutch angle, without which the composition could have seemed a little lifeless.
Alright, here is what it’s all about. A full moon, a telephoto, a good exposure. This is what has intrigued astronomers for centuries. We like the simple composition.
Moon Photo 1
This is a simple image and could have been made using literally ANY camera out there. The photographer has done well to capture the feel of a moonlit night. Notice the purpose off-center placement of the moon in this composition, and also the bluish tint on the entire image, which would have been lost or reduced with a different white balance setting. We like this image because of its simplicity.
Moon Photo 2
This is a very interesting composition, and the color tone has worked to connect all the elements in the frame. A different white balance setting and this would have been a less effective image.
Moon Photo 3
Wow! This is a fine example of spot metering, without which this photograph could have been a very ordinary one. The moon, a light source in itself casts a beautiful highlight on the sea in this case. There is just enough light to give shape and backlight to the clouds, again a key element in making this image work.
Moon Photo 4
What is it about time exposures that seems to take your breath away time after time? Agreed that the cloud formation is lucky for the photographer, but then it still had to be noticed and captured to good effect. Speaking of composition, we are often told NOT to split the frame into two using the horizon, which is exactly what this photographer has done to make this wonderful symmetrical composition.
Moon Photo 5
This image has a very painting-like touch to it, simply because of the size of the moon. Artists of old need only to paint a larger moon to romanticize their images. Photographers of the day change focal lengths!
Moon Photo 6
At first glance, this is not such a striking image. Look close, and you find that the photographer has waited patiently for passing clouds to reveal the moon. The placement of the moon almost dead center could be a point of critique from the point of view of classic composition guidelines. To us, the photograph works because it works, period!
Moon Photo 7
Yet another telephoto, yet another hilltop and yet another full moon. We love it! The presence of three different low key zones within this composition is what truly makes it interesting (apart from the obvious and striking magnification of the moon).
Moon Photo 8
A slow shutter speed here has helped the photographer – the blur on the clouds no doubt improves the picture. It gives the moon a sense of stability in the composition which emphasizes its already existing timelessness.
Moon Photo 9
So where is the moon, you ask? The monotone hue of this image is what tells us that it is photographed in moonlight. Of course the moon is over exposed right behind the clouds on the left side of the composition, but that shift in metering is what has brought out the details of the landscape. Hats off to the exposure control.
Moon Photo 10
This is an extremely simple composition, but we love the image because of the accurate metering. The placement of the moon just off center has made this a good composition. Another striking aspect of the image is the presence of just the 3 critical zones – black, white and middle grey.
Moon Photo 11
This is one of the best images of the moon we have ever seen. The bird in the foreground is what makes the image effective, especially since its beak is turned towards the moon! The use of a telephoto has given us an unrealistic dimension to the moon, and this is probably the oldest trick in the book to romanticize the moon.
Moon Photo 12
Photographing time exposures of the water is a trying process that needs a lot of patience and technique as it is. Doing it in moonlight is something to be appreciated even more! The dream like texture on the water, and the dramatic back light make this a very impressive image.
Moon Photo 13
A very similar image to the previous, but it was simply too good to leave out. Again, a time exposure, again a backlit subject… And we like the composition even better than the last one.
Moon Photo 14
We love this image because of the very reason many may criticize it – the Dutch angle, without which the composition could have seemed a little lifeless.
Moon Photo 15
Alright, here is what it’s all about. A full moon, a telephoto, a good exposure. This is what has intrigued astronomers for centuries. We like the simple composition.
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Nice shots. You might want to add some credits.
( 2 years and 3889 days ago )