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Everyone is familiar with the beauty of rainbows. Fewer people, however, have seen a moonbow, either live or in pictures. If one gets the rare opportunity to view this phenomenon, it would be great to have a photo to remember and share the experience. Taking a quality shot in the conditions that need to be present is not easy. Thus, it's good to know some basic information beforehand regarding moonbow photography.
Moonbows are also known as lunar rainbows. They are created in the same way as rainbows except that they are produced by the light of the moon, not directly from that of the sun. Due to the lower level of light they are much fainter than rainbows and it is often difficult to see their colors with the naked eye. The colors can appear in photographs with long exposures though.
In order for this to occur there are certain conditions that must exist. The moon needs to be relatively bright and low with the sky being dark. The best chance of seeing one are near times of the full moon. Also, there must be falling rain opposite the moon. This combination of conditions explains their rarity and the difficulty in photography.
A special type of these occurs more often. Spray moonbows can sometimes be seen in the mist of large waterfalls. Two sites in the United States, Yosemite National Park in California and Cumberland Falls in Kentucky, are known for this. Victoria Falls on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia is another.
If you'd like to try photograph a moonbow, it's important to know what you'll need to have on hand. Because of the long exposures necessary in the low-light conditions, it's best to have a tripod to keep the camera still. For the same reason, a shutter remote control can be beneficial too. For cameras with interchangeable lenses, a wide angle lens will be best for capturing the entire scene. You will also want to have something to protect your camera from the wet conditions. Having an extra battery and memory can prevent you from losing out on this great opportunity.
To take the actual photo, you will have to set your camera for a long exposure time in order to let in enough light for a quality shot. While it may be tempting to use the flash, this is likely to result in a poor picture and could affect other photographers nearby. Also, the camera needs to remain completely still in order to prevent blurring.
As with most photography, you will likely want to take a number of different shots. The more exposures you have, the greater the chances are that some will be to your liking. If you have the means to do so, a bit of post-processing may be in order depending on how the shots look straight out of the camera.
The rarity of a lunar rainbow is part of its beauty and allure. Moonbow photography can be as rewarding as it is challenging. Being properly prepared to capture the moment will greatly enhance your odds of getting a memorable photo.
Moonbows are also known as lunar rainbows. They are created in the same way as rainbows except that they are produced by the light of the moon, not directly from that of the sun. Due to the lower level of light they are much fainter than rainbows and it is often difficult to see their colors with the naked eye. The colors can appear in photographs with long exposures though.
In order for this to occur there are certain conditions that must exist. The moon needs to be relatively bright and low with the sky being dark. The best chance of seeing one are near times of the full moon. Also, there must be falling rain opposite the moon. This combination of conditions explains their rarity and the difficulty in photography.
A special type of these occurs more often. Spray moonbows can sometimes be seen in the mist of large waterfalls. Two sites in the United States, Yosemite National Park in California and Cumberland Falls in Kentucky, are known for this. Victoria Falls on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia is another.
If you'd like to try photograph a moonbow, it's important to know what you'll need to have on hand. Because of the long exposures necessary in the low-light conditions, it's best to have a tripod to keep the camera still. For the same reason, a shutter remote control can be beneficial too. For cameras with interchangeable lenses, a wide angle lens will be best for capturing the entire scene. You will also want to have something to protect your camera from the wet conditions. Having an extra battery and memory can prevent you from losing out on this great opportunity.
To take the actual photo, you will have to set your camera for a long exposure time in order to let in enough light for a quality shot. While it may be tempting to use the flash, this is likely to result in a poor picture and could affect other photographers nearby. Also, the camera needs to remain completely still in order to prevent blurring.
As with most photography, you will likely want to take a number of different shots. The more exposures you have, the greater the chances are that some will be to your liking. If you have the means to do so, a bit of post-processing may be in order depending on how the shots look straight out of the camera.
The rarity of a lunar rainbow is part of its beauty and allure. Moonbow photography can be as rewarding as it is challenging. Being properly prepared to capture the moment will greatly enhance your odds of getting a memorable photo.
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