Ken Papaleo: X Marks the Shot: Foothills Sunset, Lakewood, Colorado.

"X Shot" information.

Camera - EOS 5D Mark II

ISO - 500

Shutter - 1/250 sec.

F/stop - 11

Lens - 70/200 zoom

Challenge.

It was time for a full moon rising at sunset, so I went to a foothills location, to line up the moon rise with the Denver skyline. Now I have been after the perfect moonrise shot over the city for awhile. Some shoots were close but not what I wanted. Maybe this would be the right time.

Solution.

I found a real good location. The moon was going to rise at 68 degrees, east by northeast, and this spot lined up perfect. The air was clear but some clouds were present and way off to the east, the horizon was covered with clouds. Didn't look good but I always wait it out, you never know what happens. While waiting for sunset another photographer (sorry I forgot your name) showed up. How did he find the exact spot I was at? After talking for awhile he told me about a site called "The Photographers Ephemeris" . It reads "The Photographer’s Ephemeris (TPE) helps you plan outdoor photography shoots. TPE is a map-centric sun and moon calculator: see how the light will fall on the land, be it day or night, for almost anywhere on earth. Ideal for landscape, nature, travel and outdoor photographers, TPE’s map-based approach means you can search for any place name on the planet or position the map pin exactly where you want it." That's what he used to get to this location. I will check it out for the next opportunity. The sun set but the moon was completely blocked and we didn't see it until it was to high in the sky. As always, when my photo shoot doesn't work out, I look for something else. Behind us, a really nice sunset was starting to form. This was my new blog subject. Remember, during any shoot, always look around you, who knows what you might find!