Full Moon Mesa

Icons are icons for a reason. My initial feeling is always to avoidicons, because they've already been photographed a kazillion timesbefore - what's the point. However, at the same time I'm alwayscurious to see the icon myself, and when I'm there I always end uptrying to do my own version. Same here.

Everywhere you read about Mesa Arch, people say that it's a sunriselocation and they're very specific even about the exact time that youshould shoot it - only during a few minutes after sunrise when thearch turns bright red. This was very helpful information, so I decidedto go there at night. :-)

The most obvious advantage was that there was no one there - not verytypical for this location. I had the whole place to myself and wasable to use a small flashlight to paint the arch without botheringanyone else.

I had timed my visit with full moon so that I basically had the samelight situation as in the early morning, but much more subtle. I hidthe moon behind the arch and used the moonlight to illuminate thebackground. During the 60 second exposure I painted the arch and theforeground rocks. I added a warm up gel to get a nice color contrastbetween the warm tones of the rock and the blue of the sky. This is asingle exposure.

Nikon D3S, AF-S 14-24/2.8, 60s @ f/8, ISO 800, flashlight

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Amusing commentary, effective image.

It's a great challenge to photograph an icon in a different way. You rose to that challenge and come up with an excellent version that you can claim as truly your own. I love the contrasting colours.

Excellent!

Regards

Alf

Even if it is photographed many times, it is your presentation of the same place and I like it. The flashlight helps not only to get some details but also to get good contrast with the sky. I have read on your site that you had a trip to Cappadocia last month. I hope you enjoyed it and plan to share some of your results...

Outstanding work, Marsel.

What I like most in any presentation are the facts of what equipment was employed and perhaps techniques used to obtain such wonderful images.

There are many nice images that offer NO detailed information, thus the knowledge value for others is NIL.

Like your image, you have done an excellent job with your narrative that is interesting and quite informative. Thank you.

Regards,

Mike

It was a good idea and worthwhile effort, for sure.

Very beautiful!

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