My Moon Shot (first attempt) any good?

[A.Christopher]

I'm always fascinated with photos of the Moon, just never have taken the time to attempt it myself. While we were on vacation in the Great Smoky Mountains I figure I would give it a shot. What do you think? I tried not to over do the post processing. Is it worthy? :oops: Any tips that may help me improve I would greatly appreciate.

Date taken:25-Oct-09 19:39
Date modified:6-Nov-09 22:59
Shooting Conditions
Camera make:Canon
Camera model:Canon EOS 50D
Focal length:400 mm
Exposure:1/80 at f/5.6



http://www.adamchristopher.net/img/v7/p833134809-5.jpg

[Apollo.11]

Nice shot. Can't go wrong with the moon.:D

[Celestron]

Are you serious ?? First time around and you wonder if it needs any improving ?? If this were my shot i wouldn't even try to improve on this shot !! This is fantastically great !!

[artyman]

Looks far better than my first moon shot.

[ameerat42]

I agree with the above. But, hey Apollo 11, what about Apollo 13? Am...

[Catanonia]

Most execllent 1st attempt and nice processing and presentation of the moon.

One slight comment would be what most astro guys forget and that is the layout of the shot. I would like to see more black empty space to the side of the moon so the target is not bang in the center. Rule of 3rds applies to astro as well and makes a shot.

Only a slight critisim, but this is a fantastic shot.


Since you had editing ok, i had a quick crop and size go to explain.

[Apollo.11]

I agree with the above. But, hey Apollo 11, what about Apollo 13? Am...

Believe it or not, Apollo 11 is my given name.

[A.Christopher]

Wow, thank you all for the kind comments. I can't wait to get some free time on a clear night and try again.

Catanonia: Thanks for your input. I really preferred to have cropped it tighter to show more detail in the Moon's surface but wasn't sure about cutting off the dark (black) side or not by pushing it out of frame. Your edit looks very good.

[Kasrielle]

Most execllent 1st attempt and nice processing and presentation of the moon.

One slight comment would be what most astro guys forget and that is the layout of the shot. I would like to see more black empty space to the side of the moon so the target is not bang in the center. Rule of 3rds applies to astro as well and makes a shot.

Only a slight critisim, but this is a fantastic shot.


Since you had editing ok, i had a quick crop and size go to explain.

Interesting - I've heard from more than one source that the rule of thirds does not apply astro. So when going close for detail, I crop my shots dead centre.

What do others think?

[Kasrielle]

Ho, and to the OP - fantastic shot, especially for a first try!! Wow. I still rarely get shots so sharp and so perfectly exposed.

[Celestron]

Interesting - I've heard from more than one source that the rule of thirds does not apply astro. So when going close for detail, I crop my shots dead centre.

What do others think?


Depending the object but a single main object for me is near or dead center .

[MintMark]

Adam I really like your moon photo. At 400mm I think it can't have been that large in the whole frame, so I think I should be impressed with the detail that the 50D retains after such a crop... (thinking about a new body now!)

My first moon shot was a point and shoot attached to one side of a 10x25mm binocular with an old film canister. And it had a crater! :)

As for composition and the rule of thirds... I think there is a science and an art point of view. These things are so big and so far away I know that with more resolution and magnification I will see new features... so I want to try to do that. On the other hand you can get an amazing picture of an object in a wider field and in context... and that is easier to achieve with less equipment and can be just as satisfying.

I'm sure it's true that nobody here has an image they don't think could be improved!

[MidnightSun]

That's a real beauty...keep it up...:D

[kawboy613]

Sorry to "jack", but i've tried moon shot's on close nights (only have 200mm right now) And mine always come out blurry, almost ghostly.... even at fast shutter speeds?

How does one take a good moon shot, or is this a tripod thing (which i don't own)

PS. GREAT shot A.Christopher!

[Kasrielle]

Sorry to "jack", but i've tried moon shot's on close nights (only have 200mm right now) And mine always come out blurry, almost ghostly.... even at fast shutter speeds?

How does one take a good moon shot, or is this a tripod thing (which i don't own)

PS. GREAT shot A.Christopher!

I can't get any good shots without a tripod. I use manual settings, and tripod and a remote shutter release. With that method I get shots like this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2636/4084051789_b937e93f2e.jpg

[DanThoman]

It's hard to say about the rule of 3rds for any picture. Usually, it works. That said I think AC's is VERY good, but felt something was lacking in the picture as a whole. I really like Catanonia's crop much better. Then I look at Kasrielle's picture. It's really beautiful and I think would loose something if it was off-center.