Last week in Picture of the Week, I mentioned that one of the reasons I was excited to return to Joshua Tree National Park was to see the stars. More importantly, to photograph night scenes. This week’s picture was a bit of a surprise. I had actually not done my homework well on our first night, and I had no idea the moon was full, or what time it came up (I’m telling you folks, half my pictures are accidents). On this particular night we were treated with an amazing moonrise. The colors as the moon came up were as interesting as some sunrises I’ve seen, but unique in how Martian it made the landscape look (not that this particular landscape needs much help in that department).
As the moon just popped over the horizon, I positioned myself so that one of the Joshua Trees was between myself and the moon. I was hoping for shadows and drama like I got with the cherry trees earlier this year in Seattle, and while the two photos are very different, I found what I was after! Sometimes I find that shooting into the light, instead away from it, can be very rewarding. That’s an old photography rule I find myself breaking on a regular basis!
–Dan Thompson