Posted by Paul Dileanis on April 14, 2009 at 11:55 AM
My original plans for a backcountry trip were foiled by the weather so I decided to hang out in Yosemite Valley to try my hand at capturing a Moonbow. Tuesday April 7 the snow fell all night in the valley and continued until late morning. By Wednesday afternoon there was some hope of clearing so I hung around. Although it was clouded over at the optimum time for this event it did clear up around 9:30 and I was able to grab this shot.
Paul
Posted by Robert Dayton on April 14, 2009 at 1:29 PM
Great image, Paul! This is something that I must do some day. This has a feeling
of tranquility and serenity.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on April 14, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Sweet Shot Paul!
I have been wanting to capture one of these myself. Can you share some of the details of the image taken? Did you come away with any lessons learned for your next attempt?
Excellent work, Paul. A very unique capture from this often shot location, obviously with a completely different spin here also.
Posted by Reno DiTullio on April 15, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Well done, Paul, like the twinkle of the stars in the night sky, the moonbow ain't bad either
Posted by Steve Sieren on April 18, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Hey Paul. I love this!
I even like it w/ the bright part of the foreground cropped out.
Posted by Lon Overacker on April 20, 2009 at 7:31 PM
Paul,
A great image of the Yosemite falls moonbow. It's almost become a pilgrimage for photographers, but not quite reaching the Horsetail phenomena. But still one of those events and moments that we all want to try at some point. This is a well done rendition.
Timing really is the key. You need to get there when the moon is at the correct angle and is nice and full. So be prepared to shoot in the middle of the night. Take a look at that at the predictions here: http://uweb.txstate.edu/~do01/moonbows2010.html
If you shoot Lower Falls as in Paul's shot above be prepared to get wet Big Time!!! Bring a raincover for your camera and soft cloth to wipe your lens constantly betweeen shots. You *will* get soaked. I found it especially difficult to avoid that smeared, wet lens look from the constant water hitting the lens. Here is one example: http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Locations/Yosemite-2009/7006312_tzV5E#537767182_Fh8NX-XL-LB
Paul's shot above was in early April when the spray wasn't as strong. However as the falls become full the conditions change. There is also alot of wind simply generated from the Falls so the trees get blured as well with longer exposures.
Upper Falls is much easier to shoot in that regard as you shoot from more of a distance and don't have to worry about the constant spray and wind. You will need to shoot at higher ISOs and its a good rule of thumb to keep exposures under 30 seconds if you want to avoid star trails. You can see the EXIF data on my website if you want that level of detail.
Derek
Posted by Paul Dileanis on April 17, 2010 at 2:48 AM
Rodney,
Thanks for the renewed interest in this image. Dereks info reflects what I have read about photographing a moonbow. The data for this photo is as follows;
Canon 5DmkII
24-105L ( I had a 24/1.4 L on loan from Canon, but had left it home this trip )
ISO 800
f/4
80 seconds
The moon was at 92%, full moon was on April 9 , 2 days after this shot. Although the moonbow was not the primary goal of this trip, I knew from the Texas State site that the moonbow was a possibility for this date and was glad I had the opportunity to photograph it.
The volume of water is better in May, but I liked the fresh snow along the upper rim of the valley. It made the shot for me.
Discussion
11 repliesPaul
of tranquility and serenity.
I have been wanting to capture one of these myself. Can you share some of the details of the image taken? Did you come away with any lessons learned for your next attempt?
Have you seen the Texas State Univ. website for their time table http://uweb.txstate.edu/~do01/moonbows2009.html. I find it interesting and useful.
Thanks for posting! I will be there next month camping with my family.
Derek
I even like it w/ the bright part of the foreground cropped out.
A great image of the Yosemite falls moonbow. It's almost become a pilgrimage for photographers, but not quite reaching the Horsetail phenomena. But still one of those events and moments that we all want to try at some point. This is a well done rendition.
Lon
Do you have the photo specs? Exposure, ISO, aperture, camera, and was it a full moon or only close to?
Also did you calculate right date for the position of the full moon to have it shine in your back with the mountains and all not blocking it?
How about working for the upper falls mistbow up-close from yosemite falls trail next time if that's possible?
First of all I shot the moonbow last year from May 9-11th. Here is one example:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Locations/Yosemite-2009/7006312_tzV5E#537543443_wNsjv-XL-LB
Timing really is the key. You need to get there when the moon is at the correct angle and is nice and full. So be prepared to shoot in the middle of the night. Take a look at that at the predictions here:
http://uweb.txstate.edu/~do01/moonbows2010.html
If you shoot Lower Falls as in Paul's shot above be prepared to get wet Big Time!!! Bring a raincover for your camera and soft cloth to wipe your lens constantly betweeen shots. You *will* get soaked. I found it especially difficult to avoid that smeared, wet lens look from the constant water hitting the lens. Here is one example:
http://landandseaphoto.smugmug.com/Locations/Yosemite-2009/7006312_tzV5E#537767182_Fh8NX-XL-LB
Paul's shot above was in early April when the spray wasn't as strong. However as the falls become full the conditions change. There is also alot of wind simply generated from the Falls so the trees get blured as well with longer exposures.
Upper Falls is much easier to shoot in that regard as you shoot from more of a distance and don't have to worry about the constant spray and wind. You will need to shoot at higher ISOs and its a good rule of thumb to keep exposures under 30 seconds if you want to avoid star trails. You can see the EXIF data on my website if you want that level of detail.
Derek
Thanks for the renewed interest in this image. Dereks info reflects what I have read about photographing a moonbow. The data for this photo is as follows;
Canon 5DmkII
24-105L ( I had a 24/1.4 L on loan from Canon, but had left it home this trip
ISO 800
f/4
80 seconds
The moon was at 92%, full moon was on April 9 , 2 days after this shot. Although the moonbow was not the primary goal of this trip, I knew from the Texas State site that the moonbow was a possibility for this date and was glad I had the opportunity to photograph it.
The volume of water is better in May, but I liked the fresh snow along the upper rim of the valley. It made the shot for me.
Paul