Every year, I spend a couple of months in Utah, where the landscape is often described as otherworldly??”and with good reason. This is Long Dong Spire, a striking rock formation near Hanksville that I’ve always wanted to photograph with a rising full moon. With a partial eclipse occurring on September 17th, it felt like the perfect opportunity. This image is an exposure blend of three shots: one for the foreground, one for the full moon, and another for the stars.
Shot with a Canon EOS R5 and RF 70-200 F2.8 L IS USM at 70 mm, with shutter speeds varying between 4 sec - 1/125 sec and f/2.8 - f11, all on a tripod of course. Processed with ACR, Photoshop and converted to B&W with NIK 7 Silver Efex. Dodging and burning to create my “out of this world” vision.
11 comments posted
Melissa Cramer Sonnen
(Groups 6 & 41 & 74)
WOW - this is truly stellar. What good thinking - using the 3 different exposures. Amazing shot - perfect!
-Melissa Sonnen, DDG-74 Posted: 11/02/2024 13:23:58
Michael Ritzie
Thank you, Melissa! I love to photograph the moon and exposure bracketing is the best way to capture the image. Posted: 11/06/2024 18:14:03
Ella Schreiber
Hi Michael: Fabulous image! The road is a great leading line into the image. I doubt if it would have been possible to get the same results with just one image exposure. To my eye the eclipse really makes your image outstanding. Posted: 11/06/2024 02:26:29
Michael Ritzie
Thank you Ella! Utah is a magical place and photographing the moon just adds to the mysterious landscape. Posted: 11/06/2024 18:16:13
Peter Clark
Michael - an outstanding image so well captured and processed. The composition is near perfection, the tonality spot on and the atmosphere generated really is 'out of this world. I think that the moon with the partial eclipse is far more effective than a normal full moon which would draw the eye.
Although I have visited Utah on several occasions I have not knowingly seen this magnificent landscape despite passing through Hanksville. Posted: 11/10/2024 11:30:47
Michael Ritzie
Thanks Peter! The turnoff to the spire is located about 7 miles west of Hanksville on 24 and then 2 more miles across the mud flats. If you're ever back out in the area and want to see it, let me know and I'll send you the GPS coordinates to get there. Posted: 11/10/2024 13:30:07
Ian Chantler
Hi Michael
Absolutely amazing image so well thought out and captured your efforts and hard work really paid dividends,beutifully processed and presented its a winner. Posted: 11/12/2024 20:49:59
Michael Ritzie
Thanks Ian. I have to admit it's one of my favorites. Posted: 11/13/2024 18:33:46
John Gilkerson
Michael, a striking image. Very well composed and processed. Posted: 11/16/2024 07:18:59
Susan Quinn
Michael,
It is truly an image that mademe take several looks to comprehend what I was seeing. My thoguts were how did he do that and where is it. You have ansered both of these questions in your comments. Great image and technical skills. Susan
Posted: 11/18/2024 21:11:27
Ed Ries
Michael, WOW! I am a sci-fi fan and you got my attention. Wonderful collection of images that works superbly. Well done. Posted: 11/19/2024 00:19:42
