A full moon's light on Delicate Arch, Halloween night 2009 in Arches National Park outside Moab, Utah

            I'd been to Arches National Park at least a dozen times and I had never bothered to make the trip up to Delicate Arch because I don't like going where I know there will be crowds of people, even in the major national parks.

I finally broke down because it was a Saturday two days before a full moon, the low temperature was only going to be in the 30s, and the moon rose two hours before the sunset. In other words, ideal conditions to wait for a moonlit shot of Delicate Arch.

There were about 50 people lined up for the sunset shot on Delicate Arch and all but three people (me, my wife, and one other photographer) left immediately after the sun dropped below the western rim of sandstone. The other photographer left about twenty minutes later and we had the next two hours to ourselves.

This photo was taken about 45 minutes after sunset. It was a 13 second exposure that picked up both the light of the full moon light and what was left of the sunset to the west. It also picked up the taillights of the car that I think was driven by that other straggling photographer. I spent an hour or so taking full moon photos before a quick 30 minute walk back to the trailhead (no headlamps needed) and a 2 hour drive home. All in all, a great day!

Taken in: United States / Utah / Grand (show map)

Taken on: October 31, 2009

Tags:

Arches National Park

NPS

Utah

Southeast Utah

redrock

arch

Delicate Arch

night

long exposure

full moon

stars

reclink « less

Sets appears in: • Best of the best • Matt's Favorites - various places, various dates more » • My most interesting • Night photos • The Southwest • Southeast Utah • Utah « less

Groups appears in: • Night Images • Desert more » • Night Lights • Utah Landscapes • NewWest.Net -- Voice of the Rocky Mountains • The American Southwest • The American West (post 1 ~ award 1) • Desert Landscapes • Utah • Outdoor Photographer Magazine (Unofficial) • Wide Open Spaces • Southern Utah • Arches National Park • Geographical Landforms • Canyonlands • 1-2-3 Landscapes (1 A Day) • Desert Beauty • Sandstone • Red Rock Country • Natural Bridges and Arches • Desert Nature (nothing man-made please) • Redrock!!! • Natural Landscapes *Photo Contests* • Nature & Landscapes • **AMERICA, AMERICA! ~ Add 1 / Comment 1 • Colorado Plateau • Discovery Photos: Post 1, Vote for 3 • * Just One Rule [Only Land, Sky & Seascapes] (post 1~comment 1) • Photography in the West • Natural Arches and Bridges • Utah's Best of the Best Photos • American West At Its Best • Relaxing Landscapes - Post 1 award 5 - • The Wanderlust • Nikon flickr Award (Post 1 - Award 3) • I love the desert! • America's Best Landscapes • Natural Monuments • *sensational sky...looking up!* • Nature Flickr • Landscape Beauty ! • Everything Outdoors • Geography of Photography - Post:Comment 1:1 - No Limit • NATURE IS WONDERFUL (Post 1 - Award 3) PLEASE COMMENT • ! The World Outdoors *Post 1/Comment 1+* « less

Camera: Nikon D300, f/4.0, 20 sec, 18mm (=27mm), ISO 640 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D300
Aperture:	f/4.0
Exposure Time:	20
Focal Length:	18mm (35mm equivalent: 27mm)
ISO:	640
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop CS2 Macintosh
Show full info

Stats: 4,340 views / 9 comments

go back

Link to this photo view:
Link to this photo large view: