Crescent Moon

[dvtldav]

I was out early this morning, saw this view of the crescent moon and Eastern Star and thought I try my hand at photographing it. It is my first attempt at full manual and I am happy with the exposure and manual as of now, after being critiqued I might see where I could do better. The composition is where I need help. I was using a tripod so that limited me as to where I could position myself. The small bright spot in the upper right corner is the Eastern Star (or at least I think it is the Eastern Star). Does it add anything to the photo or should I crop to eliminate it? I know this is not a show stopping photo but hopefully I can learn what to do differently next time to make it better. Don't hold back on the criticism because I want to know what should be improved.



Exif:
Camera: Canon XSi
Lens: 55-250 @ 116mm
Exposure: 1/4 second @f/11
ISO: 100
Manual Mode

Thanks
Dave

[Krusty79]

I think the star to the right is distracting, as it competes for my attention and my eye goes back and forth between the two. The main thing that bugs me is that twig that extends into the moon. I would prefer a composition where it does not overlap the moon. The last thing I would suggest is to recompose it so the moon is not centered vertically (on the y-axis). I think it would help if you moved it up to the upper third, or at about the same level as the star. Just my 2 cents.

[dvtldav]

Thanks Krusty. I have another shot that doesn't have the twig in front of the moon and without the star I can crop position the moon better. I will do that a little later when I get the time.

[adrean8j]

I don't think the star is distracting as they are often photographed together and even used together (Islam, flag of South Carolina for example). The framing of the photograph on the other hand is where I have a problem...like Krusty says the branch halfway thru the moon is a definite no-no (at least with that crescent moon...full moon maybe if you were trying to do some kind of silhouette). Maybe position in a way so that the moon and the star was between the two trees free and clear and use the trees as a frame?

[dvtldav]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

I think the star to the right is distracting, as it competes for my attention and my eye goes back and forth between the two. The main thing that bugs me is that twig that extends into the moon. I would prefer a composition where it does not overlap the moon. The last thing I would suggest is to recompose it so the moon is not centered vertically (on the y-axis). I think it would help if you moved it up to the upper third, or at about the same level as the star. Just my 2 cents.

Here is a shot w/o the twig or the star is it better?


Dave

[Krusty79]

I do like that composition better. For some reason, the branches on the right side of the image are not as sharp as your 1st one. Did you change some settings on the 2nd shot?

[SwissJon]

I think the problem for me about this entire shot is the trees. There's no structure. It looks like you've just gone "oooh.. There's the moon, click" and blow whatever there is in the way.

The picture of the moon is technically perfect, but the other objects are detracting from the photo. If you want to take a photo of the moon, try putting it in a different context.. A church or a distant tree or forest, maybe a tower or a distant town.. If you want to shoot up through the trees, do so, by all means, but try to surround the moon by twigs to get a framing effect. What you have there is far too random.

[dvtldav]

Originally Posted by Krusty79

I do like that composition better. For some reason, the branches on the right side of the image are not as sharp as your 1st one. Did you change some settings on the 2nd shot?

Yes that one was shot at f/8 and the first one was shot at f/11. Here is another one shot at f/11, is it better?

Dave

[dvtldav]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

The picture of the moon is technically perfect, but the other objects are detracting from the photo. .

You are pretty much right on Jon when you said "Oh there is the moon I think I will take picture of it" because that is what I did. What I wanted to do was try using manual exposure which I have never done to see how it would work out and I also wanted to try out my new tripod. To see the moon like it was & then go somewhere to compose a picture would probably not happen because of time constraints and for me to get up early enough to go somewhere and have the moon where it is composed in the right setting might happen in warmer weather but not when it is as cold as it has been!!!!
I do appreciate your inputs and understand what you are saying, I just need to commit to doing it.

Dave

[SwissJon]

Originally Posted by dvtldav

You are pretty much right on Jon when you said "Oh there is the moon I think I will take picture of it" because that is what I did. What I wanted to do was try using manual exposure which I have never done to see how it would work out and I also wanted to try out my new tripod. To see the moon like it was & then go somewhere to compose a picture would probably not happen because of time constraints and for me to get up early enough to go somewhere and have the moon where it is composed in the right setting might happen in warmer weather but not when it is as cold as it has been!!!!
I do appreciate your inputs and understand what you are saying, I just need to commit to doing it.

Dave

Lol.. Thought so, glad you were honest.. Nothing wrong with trying new techniques, I think you did well for a first attempt at a manual exposure, these days my camera rarely comes out of manual mode.. Now it's time to go out with this new inspiration and compose a stunning shot.. There's a challenge for you