We’ve got a house full of sick people.
And on my way out to the trashcan tonight, to drop off a bag full o’ puke, I noticed it was the ‘blue hour’ as described in my new book.
So I went in and grabbed my camera.
After I washed my hands, of course.
And then, as I was admiring the blue skies, I remembered reading that tonight – May 5th – the moon was supposed to be bigger, and brighter, than usual.
They call this phenomena “supermoon“.
So, I waited for a bit as the moon came up.
I played around with my settings and ran around looking for the best vantage point.
Tried and failed to open up my aperture, but the shutter speed was so slow, there was no way I could steady it without a tripod. And I don’t have a tripod.
And I tried upping the ISO, but the noise was just too much.
Then I took a few more and came inside to grab everyone – who is not currently sick – to come out and see it.
It was really that beautiful.
And told my husband I really, really need a zoom lens.
These aren’t great, but I’m determined to start pushing the envelope on what I typically shoot. These were shot on my Nikon D90 with my 50mm 1.4 lens. My settings were ISO 1250 (higher than that and there is too much noise), 1/20 sec, f/2.8.
And if I can do it, so can you. Hope you’ll join in this week with your Sunday Snapshot.
Ready to play along? Here are the Sunday Snapshot rules – in a nutshell.
1. Sunday Snapshot will begin weekly with my Snapshot post on Sunday (or Saturday night) and will close Tuesday AM.
2. It is open to anyone who wants to become a better photographer and have fun in the process.
3. Snapshot posts should have the photo to be considered AT THE TOP of the Sunday Snapshot post, and should include the Sunday Snapshot button as well as a link back here to encourage others to play along.
4. Share any photography tips and/or settings on your posts for others (like me!) who are learning – this is encouraged but definitely not required.
5. Each Snapshot entry will be reviewed by me. Then I’ll select a favorite photo to be announced on Wednesday.
6. The winning Snapshot will be selected based on composition, color, emotion, creativity and post-processing.
7. Weekly winners will be featured in a monthly Sunday Snapshot post which will be judged by y’all, the readers.
8. The winner of the monthly Sunday Snapshot will receive a photography related goodie donated by the Sunday Snapshot monthly sponsor. May’s Snapshot sponsor is SnapShops.
9. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
9. Rules subject to change, as necessary, to keep this fun and fruitful for everyone.
If you’re ready to link up this week with your Sunday Snapshot, just copy the code under the Snapshot button and paste it into the body of your post where you’d like the button to be displayed.
When you hit ‘publish’ it should show up just fine. Then add your link below.
Happy Sunday, y’all.
Nancy says
Bag full o’ puke – YUUUGH. Too bad it wasn’t flushable. Hope all are well soon…
But – on the bright side, you got some really cool pics as a result of your trip(s) to the trash can!!! You live in a truly gorgeous spot – I have serious house/land envy going here. Glad your kiddos have such a nice spot to grow up, and hope you get to stay there for a good long time 🙂
Yvette says
Praying your family gets better soon, the carpet stays clean, and no one else gets sick.
Shanda Oakley says
Great shots. They look like something out of an eery movie!
Tiaras & Tantrums says
fabulous blue skies – it is always grey around here – my son wanted to see the super moon but it is much to foggy tonight. I’m with you – I need a wonderful zoom lens – and a couple other why I’m thinking about it!
Pieni lintu says
We didn’t see that, it was too much clouds.
Sharon says
You hand held at 1/20 ?! Good for you! I can’t go below 1/125…seriously…I shake THAT much! I hope everyone is feeling better soon.
Gina says
Sorry about the sickies!!! Hope they are better soon. I love your moon coming through the trees. I struggle with the moon. If I want it crisp & clear & to see all it’s details I use my 75-300mm & I put my settings at f/5.0 ISO 200 1/250. But a lot of the time part of the vibe includes how it looks hovering over the skyline. When i open up & capture all the surrounding area- I lose the details of the moon. After a lot of research I found out the only way to have both is double exposure. However I it was just coming up over the mountains last night just before 8- so it wasn’t quite dark & I was able to capture it with normal settings. Can’t wait to upload those. Sooooo- I will certainly be playing with that today.
Have a great week Stefanie!
Cindy M says
Well, that’s a bummer about the sick kids. Really sorry to hear that. I think your shots are awesome, and I can’t believe you hand-held at 1/20! I usually don’t go below 1/60. That’s impressive. The blues are so cool. While I’m one of those that likes a little grain in things on occasion and I don’t think your grain takes away from these shots at all. I was just wondering, though, if you ever use the noise reduction adjustment in Lightroom. If you run up the luminance, it can really help. You probably already knew that, but it came to mind, so I thought I’d share. I just used it for a shot I got in our high school auditorium of my daughter dancing…I really struggle in that auditorium…and it made it a little better. I won’t be blowing it up to put on the wall, but it works!
Gail says
I really hope the sickies are finally on the mend and there’s no more throwing up. I know how that can be…tough times.
LOVE your moon pics, have never remotely attempted anything like this so now you’re inspiring me to try it.
Have seen the ‘blue hour’ but haven’t captured it! Wonderful job on these Stefanie!!
Have a good week and praying for all healthy people in your house very soon!
hugs,
Gail
Brit says
Beautiful shots! Thank you for sharing =)
lisa says
Oh no, so sorry to hear you still have sickies in the house!! Hope everyone is better very soon!!
Awesome shots of the moon Stef….. Love them!!! I cannot say I ever attempted shooting outdoors at that hour(I might have to try), but I did shoot indoors at that hour this weekend. A first for me…. shooting in a pitch black room, no flash, only light source was the tv. It is so much fun trying new things:)
xoxo,
Lisa
Sheryl says
I had googled some settings for the super moon and had my camera already to go. Couldn’t see it for the darn clouds and finally fell asleep. Never saw it! So thanks for sharing 🙂
Virginia says
Great shot’s Stefanie. I really hope everyone is over the “yucks” soon and that you don’t get it.
Gin =)
Tito Eric says
An enchanting photo essay about this intriguing subject — the moon.
Praying for speedy recovery for all 🙂
Laura A says
What book are you reading?
NiHaoYall says
Here is a link:
http://www.amazon.com/Photographically-Speaking-Deeper-Creating-Stronger/dp/0321750446
I’m really enjoying it 🙂
Laura A says
Thanks! I’m always on the lookout for great photography books!
Kristy Life n Reflection says
We had beautiful clear skies on our last night of Vacation. Which happened to be the super moon night. Love your captures!
Magnolia Mom says
What a beautiful sky. Love the color. My attempts at shots of the super moon were futile as it was just too hazy.
DITA says
By the light….of the silvery moon…a resourceful redhead….hatched a marvelous plan (chorus “a marvelous plan”)
to whisper in the ear….(chorus “whisper in the ear”)
of her handsome man (chorus “of her handsome man….”)
Hope you convince your man to up the goodies in your photog arsenal because your photography is really KICKIN” it UP lately….whoo hoo.
May the PUKE be gone by now.
xoxoxo
Dita
abrianna says
Those are beautiful shots!