Moonlight at the Cave

[JimFox]

It felt like midnight but it was only 7pm at night. No one was down on the beach after the sun had set, so I had it to myself as I went back to the cave to so what I could see out of it. My dreams of capturing the winter Milky Way were quickly dashed as I looked out of and saw all that I saw was the 50% moon. So, I accepted it, made a mental note to return next summer during better conditions and set up to shoot.

It's by no means perfect. I should have spent more time on it, but with only the bright moon in the sky, I wasn't expecting much. It was one of those, where I was there because it was my birthday, it wasn't timed based on the moon. So I did my best, but didn't spend too much time on it.

In order to get the moon centered as much as possible so it wasn't on the edge of the cave opening, I had to really hug the left wall, I was within 2 feet of it, so that's why that's slightly out of focus, hopefully it's not too distracting. I was using my Sigma 14mm f1.4 on the Nikon Z8 with a Sony to Nikon Z lens adapter. This is 2 shots, one at f11 to get the star spikes on the moon, and then the next image was at f2.8 for the cave. It was pretty dark in there, though as you can see the moon light did get inside it quite a bit. I didn't use any external lights. In hindsight, I should have either refocused for that edge that was so close to me, or shot the cave at f8 and just a longer shutter speed.

Anyway, it was fun to be out in the dark with no one else around. If the photo ends up being halfway decent, I am pretty happy.

All comments are welcome,

Jim

#1 - Original

#2 - Cropped

 

[Ken Rennie]

Lovely image Jim. I prefer the original because the opening is a more pleasing shape, or it is to my eyes. It is annoying when you do something complex and get it almost perfect. Still looks good. Ken

 

[AlanLichty]

I am with Ken on preferring the first version. Something just seems more symmetrical with that one. I find that the primary portions of the scene that keep my attention are in focus so I really don't notice the OOF part of the cave wall without going out of my way to look for it. Nice work with this.

 

[JimFox]

Lovely image Jim. I prefer the original because the opening is a more pleasing shape, or it is to my eyes. It is annoying when you do something complex and get it almost perfect. Still looks good. Ken

Thanks Ken, I appreciate your thoughts. The good thing is it gives me an excuse to go back! Though I honestly would gladly drive the 4 hours just to eat the clam chowder there, it's that good.

 

[JimFox]

I am with Ken on preferring the first version. Something just seems more symmetrical with that one. I find that the primary portions of the scene that keep my attention are in focus so I really don't notice the OOF part of the cave wall without going out of my way to look for it. Nice work with this.

I think you are right Alan, it does feel more symmetrical. I guess I was taking Kyle's suggestion for a crop on my other one and see if it would work here with this one as well.

 

[Ken Rennie]

Thanks Ken, I appreciate your thoughts. The good thing is it gives me an excuse to go back! Though I honestly would gladly drive the 4 hours just to eat the clam chowder there, it's that good.

I would have to pass on the chowder. I like clams but not butter and cream so it would need to be clams, white wine, garlic, lemon and pasta. Ken

 

[larryj]

It felt like midnight but it was only 7pm at night. No one was down on the beach after the sun had set, so I had it to myself as I went back to the cave to so what I could see out of it. My dreams of capturing the winter Milky Way were quickly dashed as I looked out of and saw all that I saw was the 50% moon. So, I accepted it, made a mental note to return next summer during better conditions and set up to shoot.

It's by no means perfect. I should have spent more time on it, but with only the bright moon in the sky, I wasn't expecting much. It was one of those, where I was there because it was my birthday, it wasn't timed based on the moon. So I did my best, but didn't spend too much time on it.

In order to get the moon centered as much as possible so it wasn't on the edge of the cave opening, I had to really hug the left wall, I was within 2 feet of it, so that's why that's slightly out of focus, hopefully it's not too distracting. I was using my Sigma 14mm f1.4 on the Nikon Z8 with a Sony to Nikon Z lens adapter. This is 2 shots, one at f11 to get the star spikes on the moon, and then the next image was at f2.8 for the cave. It was pretty dark in there, though as you can see the moon light did get inside it quite a bit. I didn't use any external lights. In hindsight, I should have either refocused for that edge that was so close to me, or shot the cave at f8 and just a longer shutter speed.

Anyway, it was fun to be out in the dark with no one else around. If the photo ends up being halfway decent, I am pretty happy.

All comments are welcome,

Jim

#1 - Original
View attachment 77872


#2 - Cropped
View attachment 77873

Incredible image Jim, thanks for sharing. I like the first version, although it took several minutes of looking back and forth between the two to see any difference.

 

[JimFox]

I would have to pass on the chowder. I like clams but not butter and cream so it would need to be clams, white wine, garlic, lemon and pasta. Ken

They have lots of clam items and options, so I am sure you could find something pleasing to eat.

 

[JimFox]

Incredible image Jim, thanks for sharing. I like the first version, although it took several minutes of looking back and forth between the two to see any difference.

Thank you Larry. The only difference is the cropping. I am glad both could work.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Very nice Jim. I looked at this on my phone and hard to go back and forth to see the difference. Quite obvious on the big screen. I like them both.

 

[JimFox]

Very nice Jim. I looked at this on my phone and hard to go back and forth to see the difference. Quite obvious on the big screen. I like them both.

Thanks Jameel!