Rainbows are known to just about everyone but not everybody has heard of, let alone seen, a moonbow. This rare phenomenon can make an extremely interesting photograph in order to remember the event and to share it with others. Moonbow photography is no easy task however, given the difficult conditions that must be present for one to occur. For this reason, understanding when one might appear and being prepared will increase the chances of getting a good shot.
Moonbows are also known as lunar rainbows. They are created in the same way as rainbows except that they are produced by the light of the moon, not directly from that of the sun. Due to the lower level of light they are much fainter than rainbows and it is often difficult to see their colors with the naked eye. The colors can appear in photographs with long exposures though.
One will only have the opportunity to see and photograph one of these under certain conditions. The moon has to be relatively bright, at or near full, and not too far above the horizon. The sky must be dark and there must be rain opposite the moon. These conditions are not only rare but also make for challenging photography.
Spray moonbows are a special kind that can occur more often. Rather then being created by moonlight with rain, they are produced by the light of the moon reflecting off of the spray of waterfalls. Certain locations are known for this including Cumberland Falls in Kentucky and Yosemite National Park in California, both in the United States, and Victoria Falls that borders Zambia and Zimbabwe.
You'll want to be sure to have the necessary items on hand if you're going to try to get a picture of a moonbow. One of the most important is a tripod for steadying the camera for a long exposure. If you have a remote control for the shutter this can be very helpful as well. If using a DSLR, you will want to have your widest angle lens in order to be able to take in the whole scene. Because of the presence of water, having something to protect your camera is advisable as well. Finally, bringing more than one battery and extra memory is always a good idea.
To take the actual photo, you will have to set your camera for a long exposure time in order to let in enough light for a quality shot. While it may be tempting to use the flash, this is likely to result in a poor picture and could affect other photographers nearby. Also, the camera needs to remain completely still in order to prevent blurring.
Whenever photographing in challenging conditions, it's a good idea to take several exposures. This will increase the likelihood of getting one with which you are satisfied. You may choose to do some post-processing for enhancement if you have the necessary software.
The rarity of a lunar rainbow is part of its beauty and allure. Moonbow photography can be as rewarding as it is challenging. Being properly prepared to capture the moment will greatly enhance your odds of getting a memorable photo.
Moonbows are also known as lunar rainbows. They are created in the same way as rainbows except that they are produced by the light of the moon, not directly from that of the sun. Due to the lower level of light they are much fainter than rainbows and it is often difficult to see their colors with the naked eye. The colors can appear in photographs with long exposures though.
One will only have the opportunity to see and photograph one of these under certain conditions. The moon has to be relatively bright, at or near full, and not too far above the horizon. The sky must be dark and there must be rain opposite the moon. These conditions are not only rare but also make for challenging photography.
Spray moonbows are a special kind that can occur more often. Rather then being created by moonlight with rain, they are produced by the light of the moon reflecting off of the spray of waterfalls. Certain locations are known for this including Cumberland Falls in Kentucky and Yosemite National Park in California, both in the United States, and Victoria Falls that borders Zambia and Zimbabwe.
You'll want to be sure to have the necessary items on hand if you're going to try to get a picture of a moonbow. One of the most important is a tripod for steadying the camera for a long exposure. If you have a remote control for the shutter this can be very helpful as well. If using a DSLR, you will want to have your widest angle lens in order to be able to take in the whole scene. Because of the presence of water, having something to protect your camera is advisable as well. Finally, bringing more than one battery and extra memory is always a good idea.
To take the actual photo, you will have to set your camera for a long exposure time in order to let in enough light for a quality shot. While it may be tempting to use the flash, this is likely to result in a poor picture and could affect other photographers nearby. Also, the camera needs to remain completely still in order to prevent blurring.
Whenever photographing in challenging conditions, it's a good idea to take several exposures. This will increase the likelihood of getting one with which you are satisfied. You may choose to do some post-processing for enhancement if you have the necessary software.
The rarity of a lunar rainbow is part of its beauty and allure. Moonbow photography can be as rewarding as it is challenging. Being properly prepared to capture the moment will greatly enhance your odds of getting a memorable photo.