It's a Marvelous Night for a Moon Dance

It's a Marvelous Night for a Moon Dance, originally uploaded by Stephanie A. Richer.

Tonight is the "Super Moon," a full moon that is passing the closet to the Earth, resulting in a moon some 14% bigger.

Here in Knoxville, my photographer friends and I have been discussing how to capture the Super Moon. I wanted to get it at moonrise, while it was still relatively low in the sky, and preferably over water for reflection.

Hence I met up with my friend, Deb, at The Cove at Concord Park. How 21st century we were, using our iPhones to find out when moonrise would be and pointing our compasses in that direction.

I wish I had a faster and sharper lens (this was shot with a cheapo 70-300mm), but one makes do. I will say this: if you plan on shooting a moonrise, shoot fast - that sucker climbs high and brightens up quickly, so it is a completely manual endeavor with constant changing. FYI, here are the specs: ISO 100; focal length 180mm; f/18; 0.5 second shutter.