HOW I GOT THE SHOT: There is the calm before the storm. There is also the calm
during the storm, not in the eye of the hurricane, but rather in the silence of
industrialized civilization sliding to an icy halt. And then there is the calm
after the storm, as anxiety wanes and routine returns. The full moon rose over
the white Judean Mountains on Monday evening, slowly and serenely and, not
unlike Noah’s great rainbow, it shone a bright beacon across snowy hills,
signalling that nature’s fury had subsided.
Please share this email with the photography buffs in your life.
For photographers, the
biggest snowstorm to hit Jerusalem in 150 years provided ample entertainment as
well as immaculate atmospheric conditions, following the storm’s departure, for
wintry crisp and clear pictures. When it is full, the moon rises in tandem with
the sun’s disappearance on the opposite horizon. It is well illuminated by the
sun throughout the night – rising yellow or orange depending on the amount of
atmospheric haze – and gaining brightness as it ascends in the sky. Though not
apparent to the human eye, the moon moves quickly so that a fast shutter speed
(generally 1/125th sec. or faster) is required to capture a sharp rendering of
details.
This photo was shot about
20 minutes after the moon appeared on the eastern horizon using a 135mm prime
lens to enlarge it and bring it a bit “closer.” I also waited for the moon rise
higher so that it would cast some glow on the snow-drenched hills and perhaps
even catch of glimpse of China’s Jade Rabbit crater hopping on high.
TECHNICAL
DATA: Camera: Nikon
D700, tripod mounted, manual exposure, evaluative metering mode. Raw file
converted to Jpeg. Lens:
Nikon 135mm DC, f/8 at 1/200th sec., ISO 400. Date: Dec. 16, 2013, 4:38 p.m. Location: Efrat,
Gush Etzion.
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