Moonrise
I took this picture Sunday evening while Tyge and I were out for our evening constitutional. I did not have my tripod with me, which was too bad. I think the picture could have been substantially better if I could have done a long exposure. As I take more of these types of shots, I re-learn more and more about lenses, apertures and shutter speed. My lens was at its maximum focal length of 135 mm. The aperture was f/5.6 and the shutter speed was .077 seconds - which is a long exposure for a handheld shot. Fortunately, my lens has IS (image stabilization) and that makes all the difference in the world. The maximum aperture when my zoom is maxed is f/5.6. This is another thing I’m quickly becoming reacquainted with - I’d really like to have access to a larger aperture when the zoom is maxed out. More light certainly would have helped this shot.
But even with all of that, it’s still sort of nifty shot.

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Awesome pic!
Looks like you just plopped that moon right in there. I love the blue.
Great Shot!
Jan says, “Ooo… That’s pretty.”
Alas 2.8 fixed focal length lenses get a little pricey as they longer. Zoom lenses that are 2.8 across the range of the zoom are down right obscene in cost.
That particular obscenity is holding me back from getting a 2.8 100-400 right now.
Have you thought about a good quality mono pod? The one I have was around $50. Is about 14″ collapsed and extends to about six and a half feet.
Your picture taking details sound just like your grandfather Kesler. In fact, I hear him in your discussion about f stops.
My grandfather Kesler was a photographer? I didn’t know that…
That is amazing, and very typical of my Anchorage memories. If you put aside the technicalities of the camera, you have a type of scene that most people never see on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, much less on their regular evening walk.
Is that Denali Tower?
That is definitely the Denali Tower - aka Corporate America!
And to answer Leland’s question: Grandfather Kesler was an absolutely amazing photographer. Very very accomplished. His speciality was wildflowers. I actually have his Leica camera with all of the lenses.
I’d love to know who ended up with his slides. My guess is Dad’s sister, Nancy.