Midnight Moonlight

drdan · Oct 18, 2005

I've been wanting for years to get up into the high country during a full moon when there is some snow on the peaks. I was up there last night and got a few pictures. Here are a couple. Hopefully I'll get the time to edit a few more. Taken at 3-5 second exposure with ISO manually set to 100 to reduce noise. Edited with PS and then run through Neat Image to further reduce the noise. By leaving them fairly dark, I tried to get some of the feel of what it's like up there in the moonlight.

Part of Mt Princeton from Trout Creek Pass.

Another Collegiate peak (maybe Mt. Harvard) from South Park near Antero Reservoir. That small body of water sometimes drys into a classic western alkali flat.

Verbal · Oct 18, 2005

wow...

LaFoto · Oct 19, 2005

These are wonderful.
For only 3 - 5 second exposures I must say that the snow is reflecting a surprising amount of light. That is very impressive. In both photos.
The second fiercely struggles to become my favourite of the two and it might be winning...

snownow · Oct 19, 2005

I must say, wow, i'm very impressed. great work

Chiller · Oct 19, 2005

Love the first shot drdan. Very nice!!

doenoe · Oct 19, 2005

wow, great shots. I love em

ClarkKent · Oct 19, 2005

Wow, you have some great scenery around you. You did a great job of capturing it to. Nice work.

CHRISTIAN2170 · Oct 19, 2005

the first one is AWESOME !!!!!!

thats not the earth, thats the moon surface

JonK · Oct 19, 2005

Both are stunning in there simplicity. Beautiful shots.

JonMikal · Oct 19, 2005

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Canoncan · Oct 19, 2005

Nice work. I am partial to the second one.

drdan · Oct 19, 2005

Thanks!

If you ever get the opportunity for a trip to Colorado or any of the southwest or intermountain west, I think it's worth scheduling for a full moon. The dry air, especially with the thin air at high altitude, makes the moonlight much brighter than the eastern US usually sees. Combine that with some of the vast vistas and it can really be an experience.