Firstly, I'd love it if you'd hop over to Sarah's and vote for my photo (second one down). It was picked in the top 4 for June. Thank you! But make sure to come back! :)
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Around 4:30 this morning we were awakened with IV machines beeping ... and beeping ... and beeping. Once Alex's nurse got the machines quieted, it was a little hard for me to get back to sleep. Especially once I noticed how cool the moon looked in all its fullness. So I broke out my camera. Only problem was I had no tripod. But I did have a little red cooler with a flat top, so I balanced it on the window sill and starting playing. Alex's nurse was in and out a couple times while I was playing and probably thought I was nuts.
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Around 4:30 this morning we were awakened with IV machines beeping ... and beeping ... and beeping. Once Alex's nurse got the machines quieted, it was a little hard for me to get back to sleep. Especially once I noticed how cool the moon looked in all its fullness. So I broke out my camera. Only problem was I had no tripod. But I did have a little red cooler with a flat top, so I balanced it on the window sill and starting playing. Alex's nurse was in and out a couple times while I was playing and probably thought I was nuts.
I was trying to get a shot of the full moon over the city of Pittsburgh. But I was having trouble with exposure. If I kept the shutter open the correct amount of time to have a well-exposed moon with all the details, you could barely see the city lights. And if I kept the shutter open long enough to see the city lights, I had an over-exposed moon with no detail.
ISO 100, f/11, 5 second shutter speed
I love the city lights in this photo but the moon is just a white glowing blob. Not good.
So I took a few photos of just the moon ...
ISO 100, f/11, 1/20s
This turned out pretty well considering I was balancing the cooler on the window sill and the camera lens on the lens cap to raise it up a bit.
Since I didn't end up with the shot I was after, I made a composite ...
What do you think?
What I need are tips on how to expose something like this so I can get the bright city lights and a well-exposed moon. Or isn't that possible? I know people use black foam board and stuff to partially expose parts of their frame, but I don't have anything like that here in our little hospital room. And I'm not sure my brain would have worked that well at 5 a.m. anyway. I have my tripod now so I might be able to play more. Except that I am completely exhausted and would love about 18 hours of uninterrupted sleep. I know that's not possible in a hospital though.
So I doubt I'll play again while we are here. Except to photograph the fireworks tomorrow night. I'm told we will have a pretty good view of the fireworks display. One of the doctors said we should sell tickets to our room. :) I hope Alex feels well enough to enjoy them with me!
3 comments:
I have no tips for you but I think the composite looks great!
I think the composite you did is what works. I've tried it before, over exposing to get the light and under exposing to get the moon. Your picture is pefect regardless. I hope Alex is home soon. I know that is so scary. Hope you get rested up soon. Take care.
I have only been successful with such a shot using good old Photoshop myself. Love your detailed moon shot!
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