day light moon

[Todd]

I wanted to get the cloud and moon in the shot but missed most of the cloud due to the fact I had to run in and get the camera. Wondering in photo like this with much open sky what to focus on? Or is it just a poor perspective?

[clockdoc]

Hi Todd,
I see that you shot this at a focal length of 40mm, hence the tiny moon. You probably need to be shooting this with a bit more telephoto focal length. You asked about focusing. My suggestion would be to test out manually focusing at 'infinity' or slightly racked back from that point. You could try combining two shots---one of the moon qiuite large , along with a more wide angle landscape. Oct 23 is the next full moon if I recall correctly.

[Todd]

Thanks Doc now if only you could remind me of that stuff when I am trying to take these silly shot .I will have to try that two shot thing and can you explain focal lenght to me please ,,is it the amount of zoom you are using ? Thanks again.

[clockdoc]

If I recall your flickr EXIF data it said the focal length was 40mm. I assumed that you were using a variable focal length lens like an 18-55mm and had set it at 40mm to capture the trees in the foreground. What lens did you use for the shot?Using a longer focal length will make the moon larger but may make it difficult to bring in the foreground in the same shot. If I have confused you, please let me know.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by clockdoc

If I recall your flickr EXIF data it said the focal length was 40mm. I assumed that you were using a variable focal length lens like an 18-55mm and had set it at 40mm to capture the trees in the foreground. What lens did you use for the shot?Using a longer focal length will make the moon larger but may make it difficult to bring in the foreground in the same shot. If I have confused you, please let me know.

I think it is 40-150mm I think I understand what you are saying it is kind of like field of view the closer you zoom in the smaller your field of view? Am I even close

[clockdoc]

Yes, that is correct. As you zoom in the object becomes larger in the viewfinder because you are narrowing the angle of coverage of your lens. If you were shooting at 40mm on a 40-150mm lens, then you were shooting at its widest angle of coverage, hence the smaller moon. With the full moon coming up on Oct. 23, mount your camera on a sturdy tripod and use your longest focal length lens. Set the meter for "spot" and take your reading off the moon's surface. See what you get. Then save those "full moon" shots for adding to scenes when there is no moon or the moon is in the wrong place in the sky. Practice on the days just before the full moon to hone your skills.