Posted by Jamie Botdorf on October 16, 2008 at 12:16 AM
Thanks to Ken Wyatt for the head's up - headed out to GOG today to catch the full moon setting over Kissing Camels. I think tomorrow is also supposed to be a nice day for anyone else that wants to check it out. It was definitely fun.
Not the greatest captures, but gives you a hint of the possibilities:
Posted by Stan Rose on October 16, 2008 at 6:06 AM
Very nice, Jamie! There's a weak front moving though tonight, should bring some clouds but that might make things interesting. What focal length did you use for those shots?
Posted by Jamie Botdorf on October 16, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Thanks, Stan. These were shot with a Digital Rebel and a 75-300 all the way at the end. I wish I had more reach. The second one is a severe crop - hence the fuzziness.
Posted by Bill Pelzmann on October 16, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Nice. Thanks for the heads-up. It might be worth a drive down in the morning.
Just wondering if there is a location/viewpoint where the rocks/moon can be shot at more of an angle to the sun? I'd like to get some shadow definition on the rock face. A shot due west at sunrise just leaves so little character in those rocks.
The only place I can think of is to turn left when entering and go up the road to the next parking lot on the left then cross the street and hike the trail up to an overlook...unless someone knows differently. At this view point you can't see kissing camels since it is a side view of the rock formations. The problem is the lower part of the rocks are always in shadow at first light. To see the moon and for light you have to get up high and most of those overlooks are facing directly west. Another place might be the Siamese Twins formation from a side view with the moon but you'd need a wide angle and maybe one of those stitched shots you've showed me. Also there are places on the east side of the highway as you turn right going into the park that may give you a side view. Follow the main trail east across the road after parking in the main lot on the left.
I forgot to add, unless you already know it, that this is a good time to go to GOG though maybe a couple days too late for a fuller moon at sunrise over Pike's Peak, at other times of the year it is too far northwest to always include in a GOG photo. I've heard that each October is when photographers are able to get the full moon in line with the park...but of course there is always stitching.
Posted by Jamie Botdorf on October 16, 2008 at 2:17 PM
Bill - there were about 10+ photogs there Wednesday - we mostly gathered near the visitor center area and along the road. I agree that there isn't much character on the rock at that angle - all my pictures from yesterday are fairly flat. If you find a more intersting angle, let me know!
Cynthia - I heard that this happens during the full moon phase for both April and October. I'm hoping to check it out in April to see how that works.
FYI - I thnk Ken has a tour going out tomorrow morning (Friday) to shoot the moon/Garden if you want to check with him.
Thanks Jamie...I'll have to look at the calendar for April and hope the full moon or the day or two after falls on a weekend so I can get down there.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on October 16, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Nice. Thanks for the heads-up. It might be worth a drive down in the morning.
Just wondering if there is a location/viewpoint where the rocks/moon can be shot at more of an angle to the sun? I'd like to get some shadow definition on the rock face. A shot due west at sunrise just leaves so little character in those rocks.
Otherwise, you've got to get in among the rocks to get detail.
Posted by John Klotz on October 16, 2008 at 9:19 PM
Hey Mel... those moon shots look suspiciously familar...
John
Posted by John Klotz on October 17, 2008 at 12:19 AM
Jamie, love the comps man!
Posted by Ken Wyatt on October 19, 2008 at 12:38 AM
Hi All,
Sorry I wasn't able to join the throng this week for the full moon. Jamie, you nailed it nicely! BTW, other month besides April/October may work for a better angle of lighting, however, generally the moon is normally higher in the sky at sunrise these months - thus affording better compositions. See my article on photographing GoG in this past issue of Outdoor Photographer:
Discussion
11 repliesNot the greatest captures, but gives you a hint of the possibilities:
Sample 1
Sample 2
Enjoy!
Just wondering if there is a location/viewpoint where the rocks/moon can be shot at more of an angle to the sun? I'd like to get some shadow definition on the rock face. A shot due west at sunrise just leaves so little character in those rocks.
The only place I can think of is to turn left when entering and go up the road to the next parking lot on the left then cross the street and hike the trail up to an overlook...unless someone knows differently. At this view point you can't see kissing camels since it is a side view of the rock formations. The problem is the lower part of the rocks are always in shadow at first light. To see the moon and for light you have to get up high and most of those overlooks are facing directly west. Another place might be the Siamese Twins formation from a side view with the moon but you'd need a wide angle and maybe one of those stitched shots you've showed me. Also there are places on the east side of the highway as you turn right going into the park that may give you a side view. Follow the main trail east across the road after parking in the main lot on the left.
Hope that helps and isn't stuff you already knew.
Cynthia
Cynthia - I heard that this happens during the full moon phase for both April and October. I'm hoping to check it out in April to see how that works.
FYI - I thnk Ken has a tour going out tomorrow morning (Friday) to shoot the moon/Garden if you want to check with him.
I find that in the dead of winter the sunlight hits with a better angle giving more edge definition, especially if shot from Mesa road overlook or rattlesnake ridge.
http://www.ladewigs.com/Gallery/v/Colorado/Colo_springs/GardenoG/Garden_Red_Pano_edited-2.jpg.html
Otherwise, you've got to get in among the rocks to get detail.
John
Sorry I wasn't able to join the throng this week for the full moon. Jamie, you nailed it nicely! BTW, other month besides April/October may work for a better angle of lighting, however, generally the moon is normally higher in the sky at sunrise these months - thus affording better compositions. See my article on photographing GoG in this past issue of Outdoor Photographer:
http://www.outdoorphotographer.com/columns/favorite-places/garden-of-the-gods-colorado.html
There's also a link to an additional article under "Hotspots".
Ken