Sky Watch Friday!

Craver's craters

[February 16 @ 5:30 PM Bolingbrook, Illinois]

On a trip to the grocery store last night, I took a minute to browse* their digital cameras. Who decides to buy digital cameras at a grocery store, anyway? "Hon, I'm off to the supermarket for a sack of potatoes, kitty litter... and that new digital camera we really like." I can't wrap my imagination around this option, either: A five hundred dollar item as an IMPULSE purchase??

.

**deep breath** I digress. My point is that there are always plenty of shiny new toys on the market, and it's great to upgrade if you can, but I try to be content with whatever I have.

.

That being said, I'm really happy with today's submission for Sky Watch Friday. It is fun to know that I can see the craters on the moon, even before the sun has completely dropped below the Western horizon. Notice that the background is blue, not black.

.

I know, I know, this is my third entry for Sky Watch Friday, and they have ALL had something to do with the moon. I promise that next week's will have a picture of something other than the moon. Quit trying to change the subject.

.

What I am trying to say, through all the distractions of wandering thoughts, is that crater shots can be achieved with low tech, inexpensive equipment. I used a tripod and instead of using my finger to press the shutter, I used the camera's timer. That gave me even LESS shake and vibration. Between zooming and cropping, voila! I get a giant picture of the moon which includes the craters I like so much. Hmmm, I wonder what other simple photography tricks or techniques this regular guy can learn. (Hint, hint.)

.

So far, I have not been able to get such dramatic craters with a full moon. Only the other phases have the light source angled so favorably. Okay, I'm done; did you want to say something now?

*I was just browsing. I am still using my friend's hand-me-down.