Moonbow and starry sky over Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park, California Yosemite National Park is a mecca for adventure and nature photography with its steep granite walls, lush meadows, alpine spires, and booming waterfalls. I’ve spent four decades exploring its unique features and it always feels like home whenever I return.
But as with any well-loved location, it’s easy to find yourself in a creative quandary when it comes to seeking out new perspectives. With iconic landmarks around every turn, it’s a challenge to create fresh images that (no matter how beautiful) don’t leave you feeling as if you’ve just seen that same view in a recent car ad or magazine. So, what to do?
As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, waterfalls are always a rewarding subject as no two shots will ever be the same. The flow of the water is in a constant state of flux and experimenting with shutter speed opens up a whole new world of creative expression. From what Ansel Adams called “straight photography” to ethereal artistic interpretation, the sky really is the limit with this liquid landscape.
Also known as lunar rainbows, moonbows are a unique phenomenon that occurs when the full moon illuminates the spray of a waterfall. The moon needs to be low in the sky (less than 42 degrees) and the night sky must be very dark making Yosemite an ideal location. The best times are typically 2 to 3 hours before sunrise or 2 to 3 hours after sunset when the brightness of the stars compliments the moonlight reflecting off the water.
Framing can be a challenge in such dim light, but once you have a composition set and your eyes have adjusted the fun part begins. Watching the moonbow magically appear and disappear with the ebb and flow of the spray is mesmerizing and makes for an evening of photography you won’t soon forget.
Comments
Tell me about moonbows, please.
As mentioned above, moonbows are essentially a rainbow in the spray of a waterfall that is visible during a full moon.
Great shot; timing and weather is a key factor. Would like to know the camera settings for this shot
Thanks Michael. This image was made with 70mm lens. The exposure was 5 seconds @ f4, ISO 2500.
Beautiful! When will Russ Bishop do a 1.5 hour presentation for Singh-Ray?
Hi Gary,
Thank you for your comment. We are currently booked through 2021 for our monthly webinars. We’ll have to see if possibly in 2022, stay tuned.
What filter would intensify the colors of the moonbow in camera?
The Color Combo is a great filter to subtly boost colors, but keep in mind it will increase shutter speed.