Astronomy, Photography and Weather

General Category => Photography => Topic started by: JohnMurphy on January 31, 2010, 03:31:22 pm



Title: Heron & Moon
Post by: JohnMurphy on January 31, 2010, 03:31:22 pm
Caught the Heron landing in a tree yesterday.
Later that evening was the Wolf Moon (January Full Moon) at perigee. 14% larger and 30% brighter than usual. The foreground is the roof on next doors conservatory. One exposure for the moon and one for the foreground combined in photoshop.

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4316619108_d5b9808434_b.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4317770472_b1ffdb640a_b.jpg)


Title: Re: Heron & Moon
Post by: rjgjr on January 31, 2010, 03:59:11 pm
Great work as usual John. Love the wing action on the Heron, excellent combination choice in the moon photo.


Title: Re: Heron & Moon
Post by: markt on January 31, 2010, 04:37:11 pm
Very nice shots!  :)


Title: Re: Heron & Moon
Post by: paulster78 on January 31, 2010, 06:12:16 pm
Excellent photos John, love the moon shot :)


Title: Re: Heron & Moon
Post by: martinastro on January 31, 2010, 07:21:54 pm
Both are excellent John!, interesting detail on the lunar terminator, I take it that 'bite' is a distortion effect from the atmosphere? - looks dramatic  :)


Title: Re: Heron & Moon
Post by: JohnMurphy on January 31, 2010, 07:36:48 pm
Both are excellent John!, interesting detail on the lunar terminator, I take it that 'bite' is a distortion effect from the atmosphere? - looks dramatic  :)

Nothing as dramatic as that Martin. The bite out of the limb is probably just a photoshop selection error. I noticed it while processing but didn't bother to do anything about it. Its more of a learning shot really, I hope to do more like this during the year using maybe more dramatic foregrouds such as the tower in Glendalough. It would be easier if the focus distance from the foreground object was 1Km or more, in this case I was only about 35ft away.


Title: Re: Heron & Moon
Post by: martinastro on February 01, 2010, 03:46:17 am
You are on to a winner with that plan for lunar composition, I'm looking forward to your future results  :). The Heron capture is stunning!


Title: Re: Heron & Moon
Post by: jgs001 on February 02, 2010, 09:46:21 am
Stunning shot of the Heron John, well done. Liking the moon too, nicely processed, except the little bite  ;)


Title: Re: Heron & Moon
Post by: JohnC on February 03, 2010, 06:47:13 pm
Excellent photos  ad a  spooky place to be John Lol. You'd think a heron would have trouble landing in a tree with such long gangly legs but I've seen quite a few in a tree on the west coast of Scotland.