Crecent Moon and Venus at Sunset

On Feb. 27th I noticed a really bright looking star right next to the moon at sunset. So I shot it in a few frames along with the scene below. Here is one of them and the larger version for a better look. 720px is way to small to view this image:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/7049912_hqPLs#482108346_Hjyf3-A-LB

Later on I discovered that it was actually Venus so close to the moon. Did anyone else notice this? Did you get a picture of it as well? If so please feel free to share it.

While I like darker mood in this image I am undecided about the moon being so high. I like that it shows the transition from day to night. But there is a lot of negative space as well which I would normally leave out. As an alternative I have considered dropping the moon and venus down a bit in PS and cropping.

Derek

Nice image, Derek. You're very observant.

I watch the moon very closely and photograph it each month when it is a new crescent. I photogrpahed the new moon and venus the day before and you can see it Here. I also saw the near conjusntion of the moon with Venus the next night. But I did not photograph it.

on the 22nd, if it hadn't been overcast, we would have seen the moon, Venus, Jupiter and one more planet (either Mars or Mercury, can't recall) all nice and lined up and close to each other.

Yep, I remember seeing that when I left the beach too, very pretty combination, glad you got a shot! (my girlfriend was cold... and I'd made her suffer long enough already... so we had to go home).

Youssef,

Very nice images of the crescent moon with the pink couds on your website. Thanks for sharing those.

Floris, I can relate to where yo were at with your girlfriend. I was actually late for dinner when I saw the sunset. So I ran over and grabbed some shots, then made a mad dash for home. Fortunately this spot is only ~ 10 miles away.

Derek

Yep, I saw it too during my drive home, but didn't take any photos of it. Did you happen to take any vertical images of this event? I like the setting, but was thinking a vertical image might have placed the position of the moon and Venus in a more preferred position. Nice capture either way.

I like your photo as is with the negative space. Maybe a vertical framing would have worked too.

I did notice Venus near the moon too.
In fact I find Venus has been a very bright object recetly.

Thanks guys for the feedback.

Here is a vertical I took of the same scene. However I am not quite sure I like it as much for some reason. Hmm... What do you think: http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/7049912_hqPLs#484283415_Xjgdu-XL-LB

Derek

That is a beautiful shot
Over a period of time Venus was also on the other side of the moon. Also, earlier in the convergence, Mars was there as well.

It was magnificent wasn't it? I watched it set behind Basin Mtn and it was awesome!

WOW, I almost missed this one, Derek. I have to go with the original one here. Yes, there is a lot of open space in the sky, but I would not change a thing.