Moon Rise on The Hawk Beach

[baddness]

When the moon was rising last night it was so big. I went to a beach to take shots of it rising but by the time I got there it had risen more and was smaller and clouds were smuring the moon. C & C as always

[Marko]

I like the placement of the elements in this shot. The moon could have used another 1/2 inch if sky to border her from the top.

The main problem here is sharpness. Nothing is tack sharp. How come?

[PaulaLynn]

Very nice, not sure about the DOF myself, but thats just me and I am learning as I go.... on another note, I was thinking of taking some shots of the moon myself last night, it really was a beautiful evening, but with kids swimming/voting/supper and all that jazz, never got a chance :(

[Ben H]

The main problem here is sharpness. Nothing is tack sharp. How come?

I agree. It's a *really* nice shot, although I think if the moon was a little lower it would be even better. But the soft focus spoils it for me...

[tegan]

From a compositional point of view the diagonal beach and the rocky point provide interest and perspective to what might otherwise be a flat, dull image.

The approach to moon shots is to shoot the moon separately at a faster shutterspeed and smaller f stop to give it more shape and definition and then add it into a scene like this in postprocessing. I would also darken the sky to the level that I saw it with my eyes.

FYI, 800 ISO or beyond results in a brighter sky than what you see with your eyes.

Tegan

[Fredric]

The light in this image is simply awesome. The tones of the rocky point play beautifully together with the darker colors on the beach; separated by the water that in itself has the same hue as the sky, only a bit darker. IMO it really makes the rocky point pop.

I also think that the composition is a keeper. Either you've planned this masterfully or you simply have a good eye for these things. The diagonal water line invites the viewer into the image, while the almost horizontal line of the rocky point stops their eyes from wandering further, focusing their attention on the point. Also you've got enough water behind the point so as to create an even greater depth in the scene. The latter effect is further emphasized by the moon's glare being on both sides of the point.

I too would like to have seen some area in the image tack sharp. Did you perhaps have the focus set to infinity? It looks to me as if the lights in the far distance have more focus than the rocky point. I think that since all the other elements guide the viewer to the rocky point it would be nice to have at least one or a couple of the rocks in focus. Perhaps this could be done in post processing, with a bit of sharpening? You could simulate a bellows/lensbaby effect; just a thought.

The moon could do with some more sky above it; and as per tegan's tip, you might add detail to the moon from another image. Personally though, I would not like to see too much detail, just enough to differentiate it from the sun. It would also be nice if the closer of the two main parts of the moon's glare had a bit more definition; like the one behind the point has.

Also, I feel as if the horizon is leaning to the left? Could be wrong though. About the horizon, I think the image would gain from having the remote lights edited out; and it would be interesting to see if lowering the horizon relative the three large stone blocks on the right of the point, a tiny amount, so as to differentiate the horizon from the top of the stones, would further separate the point from the rest of the scene? But this is just me nitpicking a very nice shot.

As I came back to the screen just now, having been away brewing myself a cup of java, I was again struck by this image's stunning light. I love it.

I would be very interested to know how you achieved this lighting of the rocky point? Did you have the sun setting behind you? Or is it perhaps post processed? In either case I find the light stunning.

[baddness]

Thanks for the critique guys
I see that it is not fully focused. I adjusted the exposure a bit in post and that's about it. Not sure on how to sharpen an image. I tried to get there when the moon was lower and no clouds around it but with kids going in different directions, I didn't get there when I wanted to. I really didn't want that composition. There is a lighthouse in the area as well and I wanted to get the lighthouse in the shot but I would have to be in a boat to get that one. So I went to the beach instead. I started off taking shots standing on a rocky hill but the composition didn't seem right to me so I went down on the beach to get the shots. If I had of been there 15 minutes earlier, the moon would have been lower and there would have been more light from the setting sun on the rocks. I learned a lot from the critiques here. Thanks