Moonlight on the Platte

Gallery: LandscapePosted January 31, 2013166 views8 comments

Yesterday morning it was in single digits and partly cloudy so I went down to the North Platte River for some sunrise shots expecting to have steam coming off the river. The clouds were covering the eastern horizon and allowing the 3/4 moon to brighten the river to the west. This is and image shot by moon light. I had to do a lot of work on the noise,other wise just a little brightening and some contrast in RAW was all the processing. It is cropped from the bottom to about 80% of original. I appreciate all comments and critiques.

Canon 40D
Sigma 17-70
manual
Shutter 13 seconds
Aperture f20
ISO 1250
17mm
Tripod and remote release

Comments

8 comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on January 31, 2013 at 12:47 PM

A very nice scene with a lovely cool palette. Good leading eye comp as well. Well done.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Richter on January 31, 2013 at 1:44 PM

An appealing composition for me, Richard. The moon counteracts the snow-covered riverbank nicely, and the river itself leads me into the depth in a convincing way. The slight haze in the distance adds further interest.

Peter

Registered on November 10, 2010, 218 Posts, 2723 Comments

Comment posted by Chet Dowell on January 31, 2013 at 1:44 PM

This is a very nice winter image with a cold calm feeling about it. Nice comp as well. Very nice.!!!!!!! Chet

Registered on December 3, 2012, 237 Posts, 1171 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on January 31, 2013 at 2:17 PM

I guess im a harsher critic than the others, but as you know i always call it as i see it Richard--i like the mood here and the scene/idea is a good one, but the comp aint working. With all due respect to Morris, where is the leading line leading? It's leading to a gray cloud as i see it. I think this could have worked if the moon were lower--here it is way too high in the frame--and if you were about a mile upstream where i see hints of mist

It's a good shot, just could have been much better with some more planning i think.

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

Comment posted by Rick Everstine on January 31, 2013 at 3:27 PM

Good work. Good composition and exposure.

Registered on July 23, 2012, 29 Posts, 91 Comments

Comment posted by Genny K. on January 31, 2013 at 4:02 PM

I'm going to have to go along with Stan, here.

I find that snow-covered ban on the right side distracting. Like Stan, I think going along the river to the right would have put trees in the FG, maybe given you some mist, and given a softer FG with those trees.
That said, I know it's difficult to do moon-light shots, and you did great on the exposure. If the moon were lower and reflecting off of the water, now that would be super-cool! I'm impressed with how the color came through in the sky.

Registered on June 5, 2006, 132 Posts, 2001 Comments

Comment posted by R.Bill Moser on February 1, 2013 at 12:27 PM

I love the mood in this one. This is a beautiful shot but I also agree with Stan that the image could have been better if the moon was placed lower to the horizon.

Registered on January 29, 2010, 285 Posts, 4281 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on February 1, 2013 at 8:10 PM

Richard, I really like the mood of this image. The cool blue tones work so well with the light from the moon. I guess I wish the moon was lower in the sky but I still enjoy the wonderful mood you captured. Looks like a lonely and quiet place while you were there.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments