Mobius Moonset

Gallery: LandscapePosted March 1, 2011600 views33 comments

Using a Canon 5DMKII, a 16-35mm lens, a tripod, remote cable release, and a headlamp, I light painted Mobius Arch for 30 seconds at f/8 (to stay sharp) using iso 400 (to keep exposure at 30 seconds).
The moon was setting behind the eastern Sierras in the Alabama Hills while the clouds tried to swallow it up. I chose to go wide and frame the moon to give a new perspective on a tried and true location.

Comments

33 comments

Comment posted by Jake Case on March 1, 2011 at 5:02 PM

Wow! When I clicked this one I was certain that this was the newest addition to Ian Plant's Dreamscapes....it's that good! Every element of the photo is amazing, but I especially like the arch dead in the center, it seems like an unorthodox composition but I think it works very well. I'm sitting here trying to find anything I don't like but I can't, I think it's outstanding! Amazing work

Registered on December 13, 2010, 38 Posts, 167 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Stough on March 1, 2011 at 5:29 PM

A striking composition, very well seen and captured. Those flowing moonlit clouds are surreal and light-painting is not overdone and works well with this scene. Only suggestion might be to tone down the brightness around the moon a bit.

Registered on November 20, 2010, 26 Posts, 273 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on March 1, 2011 at 5:45 PM

This has a surreal feel that throws elements of the scene out of scale. Very cool!

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on March 1, 2011 at 5:56 PM

Welcome to NPN Jared. I love the color combo here and sky looks incredible. You did a fantastic job on the light painting too - it looks totally natural. I just wish you could see the Sierra's more....Overall, sweet first post.

Michael

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on March 1, 2011 at 6:33 PM

Fine take on an often photographed spot. This works very well. Welcome to NPN!

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on March 1, 2011 at 6:35 PM

The lighting balance is amazing, getting the arch to stand out without completely losing the surrounding rocks is an accomplishment. The sky and the cloud movement give this an alien world feeling.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Rossbach on March 1, 2011 at 6:42 PM

excellent work !

Registered on November 25, 2005, 484 Posts, 1377 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Burdick on March 1, 2011 at 7:01 PM

Beautifully designed and executed. I like the cool/warm contrasts between the foreground and sky.

Registered on May 1, 2009, 31 Posts, 197 Comments

Comment posted by Jason Kim on March 1, 2011 at 7:07 PM

This is really nice, Jared, and welcome to NPN. I shot this location under similar circumstances a year ago, with the moon setting behind Whitney - yours has a very different feel with the streaking clouds and the brighter tones throughout. I like it a lot, especially how Mobius Arch looks a lot like a giant kettlebell.

Registered on July 1, 2006, 60 Posts, 1233 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on March 1, 2011 at 7:40 PM

Cool, I like it, Jared! Looks organic, like a gourd or something....

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on March 1, 2011 at 7:48 PM

I really like the creativity involved in getting this shot. Outstanding results.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Goldwasser on March 1, 2011 at 7:50 PM

I must admit I have mixed feelings about this shot. I think it is very well executed and it is a very unique and beautiful take on this location. I just have this personal thing about night shots that look like daytime. Maybe this one will help me with my personal issues

Registered on May 10, 2009, 127 Posts, 970 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Duval on March 1, 2011 at 8:23 PM

Jared,

Welcome to NPN....You put your own stamp on this oft photographed spot. The moon glow in the clouds is a tad bright but it's not an image killer. You'll get great feedback on this site.

Paul

Registered on June 30, 2009, 508 Posts, 1907 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on March 1, 2011 at 9:01 PM

Welcom to NPN Jared, and wonderful first post! The large version is such a pleasure to view. Excellent job lightpainting, it looks very natural. The blurred clouds look fine also and the sky color is very nice. Looking forward to many more posts.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Gino Cortez on March 1, 2011 at 9:06 PM

Very clean light painting, nice cloud movement, and an original take on Mobius. Very nice..send more soon!

Registered on November 23, 2010, 57 Posts, 396 Comments

Comment posted by Justin Peterson on March 1, 2011 at 9:27 PM

Pretty darn impressive technique, composition, and image. Well done, Jared!

Registered on January 20, 2008, 33 Posts, 298 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on March 1, 2011 at 11:34 PM

Awesome job balancing the light. Love that pop. What time of day for moonset? Kudos here!

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Jared Atencio on March 2, 2011 at 12:08 AM

Welcome to NPN Jared, and great first post! The light painting in this looks very natural and the streaks are moving in the perfect direction. It really makes this centered comp work as it ties in the corners. No nits whatsoever, looking forward to seeing more of your work here

Registered on June 23, 2009, 21 Posts, 422 Comments

Comment posted by David Bostedo on March 2, 2011 at 12:17 AM

Very cool - great balance in the light and the cloud effect is terrific. Very well done.

Registered on May 5, 2006, 178 Posts, 2224 Comments

Comment posted by Jared Ropelato on March 2, 2011 at 12:40 AM

Thanks everyone for all the great comments and suggestions. I will take a look at possibly bringing down the highlights of the moon. My goal there was to have it appear as if it was lit from behind in the print, while making sure I didn't clip on the histogram, but after the comments, it may be a little too bright compared to the rest of the shot. Thanks again for the help and the warm welcome. Cheers, -jared r.

Registered on March 1, 2011, 25 Posts, 204 Comments

Comment posted by Jack Brauer on March 2, 2011 at 1:56 AM

I really like your take here... The rock is beautifully illuminated and your framing really makes it look like a sculpture. The streaming clouds add to the surreal effect!

Registered on September 12, 2005, 40 Posts, 627 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on March 2, 2011 at 9:20 AM

New interpretation of this place, Jared. Stunning photography.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Arnab Banerjee on March 2, 2011 at 9:22 AM

Great shot Jared. Welcome and a great first post..the light painting looks perfect

Registered on January 3, 2007, 313 Posts, 2270 Comments

Comment posted by Taylor Reed on March 2, 2011 at 10:14 AM

This is really unique and impressive, looking forward to seeing more!

Registered on February 18, 2010, 26 Posts, 556 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Sieren on March 2, 2011 at 1:11 PM

Great cool and warm color contrasts Jared. The way the moon was photographed is unique.

Registered on January 2, 2008, 360 Posts, 5321 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on March 2, 2011 at 2:44 PM

Great job on the light painting Jared, the archway looks like a piece of modern art. Terrific shot.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Jung on March 2, 2011 at 4:30 PM

The light in the foreground is perfect, and the sky is amazing. Excellent !

Registered on March 2, 2011, 8 Posts, 72 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on March 2, 2011 at 8:45 PM

What an unusual perspective of this spot! Weird and wild.

Mark

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Zachary Lake on March 3, 2011 at 12:03 AM

Very nice... way to go making this spot your own! The only (VERY) minor nitpick might be that it's a little bulls-eyed, but I could be off on this.

Registered on July 1, 2008, 24 Posts, 120 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Plant on March 3, 2011 at 3:36 PM

I like the extra wide perspective here, a wonderfully creative take on this oft-photographed location!

Registered on July 7, 2008, 271 Posts, 1657 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 4, 2011 at 1:19 AM

Welcome! Exceptional first post. Not a thing I can say that hasn't already been said - just excellent in every way!

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Rodrigo Sandoval on March 4, 2011 at 2:20 PM

Jared,
Out of this world! Love the sky and the colors in the rock too. The curves and lines mix perfectly.

Registered on April 4, 2009, 13 Posts, 254 Comments

Comment posted by Grant Collier on March 12, 2011 at 12:05 PM

Great shot!

Registered on July 29, 2005, 73 Posts, 430 Comments