Moonshot

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[FranksFromLancs]

OK, so I am posting in the critique forum although I am looking for ideas regarding a problem that cropped up the other night. I was looking out the window at the moon because it was a full moon and it was sat right in a hole in the clouds. Unusually the clouds were hardly moving at all as there was very little wind so I got the camera out. First shot I metered for the moon, got a reasonably sharp image but because I metered for the light source the sky was blacked out (first image below). So then I metered for the dramatic clouds, that slowed the shutter speed right down and having a 300mm lens hand held the moon got blurred (second image). So I thought I would simply superimpose the sharp moon over the blurred moon, shot looked great (third image). The more I looked at the third image the more I thought it wasn't quite right. Nothing in there is faked but the moon looks a bit unreal. Then I realised that the whispy bits of cloud didn't show up on the first image because I exposed for the light source. All I could think of doing was to 'generate' some clouds in PS and clip them to the moon so they appeared in front of the moon as they should do (fourth image).

I suppose I am asking what you would have done different. I wanted the shot to include everything, the clouds, the colouring and the moon.

Here are the shots.

[seawolf66]

to me number three is the best but in my thoughts I would do it B&W : Other very very good job there Frank:

[Warren C]

I would leave it in color. It's more dramatic looking I think. The moon does stand out way too much though so having wisps of cloud cover would make it more real. I think what I might of done is what you did but maybe add another duplicate layer of the clouds and move the fainter parts of the clouds over the moon or part of it, make that layer a little transparent then erase sections that you didn't want. Or just cut out some of the wispy parts and paste more around the moon doing enough transparency to get the effect you want. What I did was duplicate the layer then slid the opacity (39%) until I got the transparency I was looking for. Moved the second layer around so I had the section of cloud I wanted where I wanted did a blend  (darker color) then used the eraser at 24% to slowly erase the sections I didn't want which meant multiple passes with the eraser but gave me more control.
Now mind you that I went to work at 6p.m. last nite did my 500 miles got home took a hot soak then checked this posting (now 630 a.m.) so my eyes probably are well focused. anyways this is what I got. Not a big difference but a subtle one. Maybe playing around the way I did you'll get more of what you're looking for. Fatigue is setting in so sharp eye sight at the moment is lacking.

[mattchase]

I think what makes all of your edits look both interesting and odd is that the moon appears to be floating in front of the clouds, which is not a natural thing.

Here is my take, less abstract, not as much "wow" looking moon, but more natural looking.

[Warren C]

Agree Matt. Looking at my redo I had to look a little closer but I did have some of the cloud in front of the moon in the upper right corner. I should of used a little less opacity but then again it was early in a.m. and eyes shot. LOL

[FranksFromLancs]

I think what makes all of your edits look both interesting and odd is that the moon appears to be floating in front of the clouds, which is not a natural thing.

Yes, that was the point I made in my post

Here is my take, less abstract, not as much "wow" looking moon, but more natural looking.

I think your idea of losing a bit of the moon is the answer, it looks much better. I placed some cloud across the moon but your solution is much more effective. Thanks all for your input it's appreciated  

Cheers . . Frank  

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