Tiny Stars: Weekly Photo Challenge
“I like the night. Without the dark, we’d never see the stars.”
Stephenie Meyer

TINY STARS
This week, like most enthusiast photographers, I went out to photograph the “super, supermoon”. My first attempt was met with a terribly overcast sky such that I never saw the moon until it was very high in the sky. The second try, earlier this evening, was more successful. I did make a few moon shots, but my favorite of the evening was the opening shot above, which captures the last of the sun’s rays and the beautiful north star high above. For me, it’s a great illustration of how important it is to look behind you, as this scene was in the exact opposite direction of the moon.
“Moonlight drowns out all but the brightest stars.”
J.R.R. Tolkien
The good news with this evening’s efforts is that I did capture some moon shots that showed some nice detail of its shadows and crevasses without blowing out the color. The bad news is I was not able to capture much of a foreground so that most of my shots were a bit uninteresting. I was amazed at how quickly the moon went from huge orange globe just above the horizon to a rather yellow, more normal-sized orb. If I’d prepared a bit more I’d have brought someone along to light the foreground, or I’d have shot two exposures, one of which focused on the foreground, and then blended the two shots in post-processing. Proving once more how important it is to plan your shots in advance. Sigh.
“Yours is the light by which my spirit’s born: – you are my sun, my moon, and all my stars.”
E.E. Cummings
I’ll close with a capture of the moon in all its super, supermoon glory just after it cleared the horizon. It would have been more interesting if I’d been able to include the dunes and grasses below. (And if I’d been able to find my remote shutter switch; using self-timer is a bit cumbersome in the dark). Oh well, next time I’ll be a bit more prepared 😊. I’m happy to have tried and to have learned from the attempt. How about you, did you give it a shot?
Some lovely moon shots here – thanks for sharing. My poem today is about the beauty of the night in case you have time to have a look? Have a good day, Sam 🙂
I didn’t get a chance to capture the super moon as I was traveling, though I sure thought about it. In previous weeks, I’ve captured some moon shots that worked for me. I try to look behind me regularly, but it’s a hard habit to learn. I’m getting pretty good at it since I started hiking as I learned to check the trail behind as it will look different when we return along the same route. 🙂
I know exactly what you mean John – especially out in Arizona! >
WOW….Gary & I are absolutely BLOWN AWAY by these magnificent shots…..however u captured them is just truly mind blowing…..have to say they almost look like paintings….a GREAT achievement in our eyes!!😘
You are the best April, thanks so much for your continued support!
Lovely photos. My attempts at the moon were a little unsuccessful. 😀
Thanks Elle, keep on trying, you’ll get there! I’m looking for my own improvement as well😊
Love the tiny stars! And capturing the supermoon is always special – like the picture with its reflection on the water. I captured it on Saturday and then again on Tuesday night (yet to process those pics)…in between it was very cloudy.
Thanks Tiny–will look forward to your results!
Love the colors in the stars photo. I didn’t have much luck either with the moon!
Thanks Nora – it’s certainly a challenge, isn’t it?! >
Congratulations on capturing this special moment, and celebrating a special day 🙂 Unfortunately we never saw it as it was too overcast. Oh well, hopefully next time in 2052 !!!
LOL, thanks Andrew!
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Great interpretation, Tina. Bravo! (I have nothing “tiny,” so I’m going to skip this week:))
Thanks Svetlana, I agree a tough one this week!
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Beautiful pictures! Definitely following your wonderful blog.
Thanks Piyumi, and welcome!
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Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous shots, Tina. I like the minimalist feel in the photos. 🙂
Many thanks Imelda. It was quite the sight!
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Always finding the best of the best… thank you…
Thanks Girlfriend! >
You did a lot better than us Tina. We are in Calgary at the moment and did all our research as to the best place to get The Shot. So before moonrise we were stood on a bridge along with a dozen other photographers and tripods – all with bigger lenses than us, pointing at downtown Calgary. The moon was so beautiful when it came up, but our lack of experience at night photography really let us down. The moon is overexposed in all the shots and not sure that the downtown buildings are really in focus either. I am not sure if it is even possible to get both the buildings and the moon looking good in one photograph, as you say you probably need to put two photos together afterwards. Oh well it was fun, and a really good place to watch the moon. Oh I forgot to say the bridge was a suspension type, so every time someone cycled or jogged over it all our photos were rubbish!!! Might try something different tonight!
I love that you tried Annette! Hopefully tonight will create better results but at least you saw it!!!
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Rain and clouds obscured any possibility of even seeing the moon. Love your shots though!
Thanks Lindy, sorry it was unkind on your end😩
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Fabulous images Tina ! It’s not easy as you say to get it all together, so much to think about at the time not least that the moon WILL keep on moving lol . I only captured a blurry phone shot, the thick cloud cover was not helping … but hey there is one more to look forward to 14 Dec , maybe we’ll get lucky then 🙂
That’s the beauty Poppy, always a next time!! Thanks for the lovely comment.
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Beautiful photos.
I looked at the cloud and went back to warmth!
LOL, we were definitely weather-lucky down here! Thanks for the visit and comment
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Beautiful Tina. I didn’t even attempt a shot – Saturday night I saw it large and white rising above the horizon as I drove home, Sunday night there was cloud on the horizon so I didn’t see it until it was well risen and far too bright, last night too cloudy altogether. And I know what you mean about the self-timer in the dark! I had the same issue with my night shots in Barcelona. I must find out how to put that setting on one of my function buttons!
Thanks Jude–challenging but fun! Was just glad I got to see it this time!😊
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Gorgeous captures, Tina. Our view of the moon last night was not nearly as clear nor as spectacular.
Thanks Patti, we finally got a clear sky last night. Remember there’s always next time!
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In 2032?? I think. I’ll be ready next time. 🙂
It was something amazing to see as are your photos of it. The first and second are my favorites. The second is a unique shot, with that lovely reflection and all else being dark.
janet
Thanks Janet. I was just lucky to have chosen a good spot. There were 5 or 6 of us shooting. I literally had to stand in the water to get that one!
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Great post – photos and commentary.
Thanks Jane. It was so beautiful in person wasn’t it?!
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Beautiful captures Tina! 🙂
Thanks Adrian
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Loved the first one, Tina. I liked your comment about getting an “eye shot”..it was a big beauty as it was rising.
Thanks Sharon! It sure was 😊😊
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I love ❤️ the e.e.cummings quote , and the lunar photos add such wonderful nostalgia. I did try my own supermoon shots, but not as pretty as yours, 😔
Thanks artureaud, best we can do is try!
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Oh, beautiful captures, Tina!
Many thanks Sue!
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Love the second one, with the light path in the water. No photos from here as it was cloudy, and I don’t have the patience for night photos anyway. 🙂
LOL Claudette, it does take some patience for sure. I was more unhappy with how fast it rose rather than how annoying it is! Thanks for stopping by.
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Beautiful Tina.
Thanks PJB!
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Great Shot’s! Mine didn’t turn out very well, lots of cloud, I may be able to salvage one…Not as good as yours though!! 🙂
Thanks ladybugzz, sometimes the clouds can improve the photo but too many just ruin it. That’s what happened to me the first night I tried. Tonight might be better–keep trying!
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well truly a success even with not as much planning as you would have preferred – and such original shoots too – that is my fav part….
Many thanks Yvette, that makes me feel better 😊
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😊✌🏼️🍂🍁🍂🍁
Oh wow
Thank you Rajiv!
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These are stunning shots, Tina! I agree with you, I think the first one is my favorite.
: )
Thanks Grace. That one felt a bit mystical to me 😊
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So beautiful, Tina! It makes me think of a chlldren’s Sunday School song ‘God’s beautiful earth…I love God’s beautiful earth” I would be very happy to serve as your photography sherpa. I’d love to traipse along watching you work!
You are very kind ML! Would love to shoot w you any time!
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These are beautiful, Tina. That second one blew me away! I missed this morning’s moon and it was too cloudy at dusk to see anything here. 😦 Thanks for letting me see the supermoon through your lens!
Glad to show you its glory! I felt the same disappointment Friday when the sky was socked in with cloud cover. Tomorrow is another day tho!
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They are all interesting. Makes me miss our marsh setting for the moon shots and the amazing high tides. And, no, I made no attempt to photograph tonight 😬
Thanks Leslee – tried ocean this time rather than marsh but could have used a bit more light on the foreground. But it sure was gorgeous! >
That first one made the evening great. Nice captures.
I took a few moon shots last month but not anything special.
Thanks Maverick. Yes, as the great Ansel Adams once said, it only takes one. >
Beautiful moon images, Tina! The color is amazing. Love the quotes.
Thanks Amy – the color really was amazing. Very little post on these other than to remove lots of grain. >
Beautiful supermoon, Tina. So lucky you got to see it and take a few shots. Sometimes it is hard to plan in advance as you can’t get a feel of the place beforehand. Which is why I like going back to a place to take second shots. But with a supermoon…you only have one shot 😂 It was too cloudy over here to even see the moon!
Exactly my sentiments Mabel – and next time it will be rising somewhere else so very hard to plan. It sure was beautiful to see tho. I hope you get another chance, it’s pretty amazing ! >
Yes, I have tried, and I always fail! I get big blurry orbs that might as well be tortillas for all their (lack of) clarity! I think you did a great job!
Thanks Lex. Keep trying, I’ve had many a tortilla too!!😊
Beautiful shots. So orange! Interesting refraction of the shape in the third. Just got back from watching it rise magnificently behind the Bay Bridge. Absolutely gorgeous but, as you know, very difficult to capture. Many levels of exposure! Ah well, we enjoyed it with the crowds on the pier. 🙂
Definitely got some wonderful “eye-photos” tonite Jane! Next time, going somewhere with a bit of ambient light! Bet it was gorgeous over the bridge. >
Working on them now…. it only takes one… 🙂 Quite a scene.
Wonderful Pictures my Favorit is the first one.
Thanks very much Robert! >