.png)
Featuring the June 2024's "Strawberry" Full Moon:
In this article you will find:
• The June 2024 full moon, also known as the "Strawberry" moon, offered skywatchers a rare and captivating sight. Occurring on June 21, just after the summer solstice, this full moon was exceptionally low in the sky, making it appear larger and more golden-hued than usual.
• The phenomenon, known as the "Moon Illusion," creates the illusion of an unusually large moon rising gently above the southeastern horizon. The moon will reached its peak fullness at 9:08 p.m. on June 21, but it actually appeared full for approximately three days, from that Thursday evening through to Sunday morning.
• The "Strawberry" moon derives its name from Native American Algonquin tribes, who used it to mark the ripening of June-bearing strawberries. Despite its name, the moon's appearance has no relation to its color or shape. Other European names for this full moon include the "mead" or "honey" moon and the "rose" moon.
Our Experience (outlined)
Complete Side Note: While the name “Strawberry” moon doesn’t actually have anything to do with its color, this year was different. As if in true celebration of its own glory, the June Strawberry full moon showed out in totality giving all us earthling sky gazers a show we wouldn’t soon forget. It actually had the peachy-orangish-redish glow of a strawberry being lit by a beautiful, bright Ol’ Sol.
Back to the start… We decided to attempt to utilize our local state beauty, Pilot Mountain State Park, the knob, in particular, our subject to photograph with the moon. A perfect plan lay in wait.
A couple weeks prior to the grand moon rise, the research began. We learned everything we could about the details of the full moon. Then, we used the PhotoPills app (a really, really great and totally informative tool for EVERY photographer's arsenal). The app allowed us to know exactly where and at what time the full moon would be breaking the horizon and rising through the sky. From the path presented on the PhotoPills planning map, we were able to figure out the absolute best viewing point from the park in order to not only witness a beautiful moonrise, but also to be able to capture the infamous knob as a subject directly in front of the beautiful full moon.
The shoot started very well. Pilot Mountain State Park never fails to deliver a lovely hike and exploration time, not to mention her natural way of presenting the absolute best shots for photographers. This day, she didn’t let down. We took our favorite route from the parking lot, through the decadent tree lined sidewalk to the trail head that extends the ridge out to, and eventually completely around, the knob. As the sun set, the picturesque rose to all new heights, much like the predicted Strawberry full moon would soon do.
Ah, Fate’s plans. We knew one small piece of important information going in (thanks to the awesome PhotoPills app), and this information was not the greatest of news. The moon was predicted to rise over the horizon and actually into our range of sight at about 8:45-8:50. The park closes at 9. We were thankful that it was even open until the late hour of nine, however, that was giving us precious little time to enjoy that once in a lifetime moon rise. Let alone allow us the time to set up the cameras and tripods and all the other goofy accoutrement that we die-hards haul up trails and through thickets for that ever-elusive "perfect shot”. But we knew what we were getting into... we knew this time-issue going into the adventure. And due to our tight schedules surrounding this sweet celestial event, we weren’t able to go far from town to plan a shoot in a location that would allow for a such a subject shot…All said, we knew what the risks of entering the park with the thought that just maybe the moon would beat the clock…was all worth the effort. Also, we pondered, possibly, with such a sky event underway, surely, just surely the park staff would understand our absolute need to be there and allow us a touch extra time in order to properly enjoy and shoot the scene. We were dead wrong.
Due to an extra heavy heat haze, the horizon was actually hardly visible through a shimmering film of smog and blaze. While the sunset was impeccable, and the trail we hold so dear to heart and heal was as lovely as ever, the ole moon just wouldn’t show itself in the big southeastern sky. As we would run and skip and jump along the trail from the western sunset side of the knob and back again around to the northeastern side, we would strain our eyes out over the land, past the craigs of Hanging Rock, trying to peak the big glow, but alas, nothing. Still yet we marveled at the beauty of the place as the day spoke goodnight wishes of the most beautiful elegance by way of color and atmosphere.
As the clock struck 8:49, we knew we would have to hoof it quick style back to the upper parking area and get out of the park in time. In fact, we knew we wouldn’t get out of the park in time, as the winding road up to the knob is at least a ten minute drive…plus the ten minute hike back to the 4-Runner. Hoof it we did. We made it back just before 9:00 pm. Ah, thankfully there were some other stragglers (insert, there is a special note to be taken from the last minute stragglers, and there will be an awesome article written on this as well), and we felt that blanket of security that comes with force in numbers. So as they got their final glances of the magnificence in, we decided to get a few last minute shots of sunset as well as keeping our best eye out for the great appearance of our subject. No sign. But wait, what’s this? The last car in the parking lot echos its departure with solid thudding of door slams and a quiet engine start. As it pulls away, we have our eyes super mega glued to the sky. And there she is. In all her full glory, and as strawberry in color as it could possibly get, the Strawberry moon was hung beautifully in the sky.
Just as I began my frantic grab war for any kind of reflective, light-capturing, photo-generating device I could snatch quick enough, and certainly before I could commence shooting the moon, a pair of headlights turned the hidden road that enters onto the knob's upper parking lot. Before one could blink let alone set up tripod, clip on camera, manage settings, or even press a shutter button, a police siren/park ranger siren whooped, and over the loudspeaker a sharp and “I-mean-business” voice raged into the peaceful evening: “The Park IS CLOSED! Leave NOW!”
Still intoxicated by the beauty of everything happening, I thought, maybe, just maybe she will understand. Surely she will allow us to stay and witness this great celestial event with her, and even shoot it and mostly enjoy it. However, just as I was clearing the shake from voice and was going to let her know it was a special moon, my lady advised that she sounded like she meant business. Stubborn and nature-drunk, I decided I’d still try. And then the siren whooped again, and the lights lit blue and red, and she repeated her sorcerer's curse of “leave this place now!” And upon the free red, white and blue light show, I fired up the ‘Runner and we skidded out of dodge. No worse for the wear, but short one shot of the great lunar rising.
Back up plan: Pull off anywhere, get the perfect shot, forget subject matter... As it would go, however, for the distance back from Pilot to Winston-Salem, there was absolutely no opportunity for a golden (or strawberry, rather,) shot. With time against our fight and running out of options, we decided to rip off the highway (after what seemed like an eternal ride) and try our luck shooting the moon with some Winston-Salem-scape, which we have worked with in the past, and thoroughly enjoyed.
As we entered downtown, it seemed like just the perfect environ for a moon-shoot. Friday night, the city was lively with activity and bustle; we happened upon, by convenient parking, one of our beloved places in the area, Bailey Park. And there happened to be a movie displayed on a large projector screen and the entire park was covered with smiling viewers, kicked back and relaxed. This is perfect, we thought, as we marveled at the juxtaposition of the city and the natural moon rise. My partner in shooting had to go to the restroom, and then we would proceed with our photography adventure.
The rest, as they say, is history; for the events that follow would lead us not to capturing our best Strawberry full moon rise shot, but to a much deeper and meaningful adventure which deserves its own full telling, which you can read here, in our journal of aperture abenteuers. Don’t miss this story, it is one that will certainly pull at the heartstrings, it surely did ours.
While we didn’t capture the dream shot we wanted, it was a beautiful lesson in being okay when plans go awry and simply being here now, always. We cherish that night in our deepest soul, and will for many, many years. And therefore, while not a success as far as “mission” is concerned, our photography adventure paid off in the end substantially.
We highly recommend the PhotoPills app, even though we are not sponsored nor endorsed by them. Trust us, the app is worth it, it is chock full of epic information and data to help you plan the absolute perfect photography adventure.
Shoot-the-Moon Aperture Abenteuer: An Epic Misadventure
There’s something wildly poetic about setting off on a grand adventure, camera(s) in hand, with a meticulously crafted plan.
This time, our quest was to capture the full moon rising behind the iconic knob at Pilot Mountain State Park. We had all the makings of an epic tale: meticulous research, high-tech apps, and a whole lot of enthusiasm. What could possibly go wrong?
The Grand Plan
Weeks before our outing, we dove headfirst into the moon lore. We memorized the June 2024 full moonrise time, angle, and even learned a thing or two about the moon's temperament. One of our secret weapons? The PhotoPills app—an indispensable tool for every photographer’s arsenal. This app is like a digital oracle, predicting the moon’s path with the precision of a Swiss watch. If you haven’t heard of it, do yourself a favor and check it out here. (You're welcome.) Also, be sure to check out the Juxtaposed Tides guide: How-To: Use PhotoPills, here.
With PhotoPills guiding us, we identified the perfect spot at Pilot Mountain to witness the moon's dramatic ascent. The knob would serve as our celestial subject, framed perfectly with the full moon’s ascent. The excitement was palpable.
In our research, we also found some enlightening and interesting information about the 2024 June Strawberry Full Moon:
• The June 2024 full moon, also known as the "Strawberry" moon, offered skywatchers a rare and captivating sight. Occurring on June 21, just after the summer solstice, this full moon was exceptionally low in the sky, making it appear larger and more golden-hued than usual.
• This phenomenon, known as the "Moon Illusion," created the illusion of an unusually large moon rising gently above the southeastern horizon. The moon reached its peak fullness around 9:08 p.m. on June 21, but it appeared full for approximately three days, from Thursday evening through Sunday morning.
• The "Strawberry" moon derives its name from Native American Algonquin tribes, who used it to mark the ripening of June-bearing strawberries. Despite its name, the moon's appearance has no relation to its color or shape. Other European names for this full moon include the "mead" or "honey" moon and the "rose" moon. Alos, despite this fact surrounding the name, this particular year, the Strawberry Moon had other plans all together; it, as if in true celebration of its own glory, showed out in totality giving all us earthling sky gazers a show we wouldn’t soon forget. It actually had the peachy-orangish-reddish glow of a strawberry being lit by a beautiful, bright, setting sun.
The Adventure Began
The day of the shoot was everything we hoped for. Pilot Mountain State Park was as stunning as ever, its trails welcoming us like old friends. We strolled from the parking lot, through the enchanting tree-lined walkway, to the trailhead that circles the knob. The sunset painted the sky and its few ribbons of clouds with hues of gold and pink, setting the stage for the grand lunar entrance.
However, we had a nagging piece of information eating at the clock hands of our minds, courtesy of PhotoPills: the moon would rise into our view around 8:45 PM. The park closes at 9 PM. A race against time was on.
The Race Against Time
As we awaited the rising moon, we ran from the southeast side of the mountain, around the great pinnacle, to the westerly side. The sun began its final bow, as it slowly dipped below the horizon, and we certainly utilized the photogenic moment mother nature was allowing us. Meanwhile, we would run back around the path, and we strained our eyes eastward, waiting for the moon’s debut. Fate, however, had other plans. A thick heat haze clung to the horizon, obscuring our extended view. Right place, wrong circumstance. We dashed back and forth along the trail, hoping for a glimpse, but the moon remained elusive.
At 8:49 PM, reality set in. We had mere minutes to pack up and hightail it back to the parking lot. The trail, while beautiful, seemed to stretch endlessly as we power-walked, jogged, and practically sprinted to our car.
The Great Escape
We arrived at the upper parking area just before 9 PM, breathless but hopeful. We weren't alone—other stragglers were also taking their sweet time, taking in the final colors of the sunset and waiting for the grand appearance of the ole space rock. Safety in numbers, we thought. Maybe the park rangers would cut us all some celestial-slack.
Just as the last car departed (aside from ours…), the moon finally graced us with its presence. And was it ever magnificent—strawberry-hued and resplendent against the night sky. I fumbled with my gear, desperate to capture the moment. But before I could even press the shutter, headlights pierced the darkness. A siren wailed, and a stern voice echoed through the night: “The Park IS CLOSED! Leave NOW!”.
The Not-So-Great Escape
Intoxicated by the moon’s beauty, I hesitated, thinking perhaps the ranger would understand our plight. But my partner, wiser and more attuned to authority figures, nudged me into action. With another whoop of the siren and a flashing light show as bright as but not quite as friendly as a Phish-version, we knew our time was up. We hastily hopped into the 4Runner and hauled freight through the park gate, leaving behind the “perfect shot.” Right place, wrong time…a typical case, thereof.
Resort to Plan B: Urban Moonlight of Winston-Salem
Determined not to let the night end in disappointment, we cruised back towards Winston-Salem, searching for a new vantage point. We found ourselves at Bailey Park, where a movie night was in full swing. The city buzzed with energy, and the moon hung several degrees above the horizon, still big and teasing us with its orangish-glow.
My beloved co-abenteurerin darted off for a short break to use the restroom
, leaving me to ponder our next move. As it turned out, our moonlit misadventure wasn’t quite over, and wouldn't be for quite some time. The night unfolded into an unexpected, unparalleled, heartfelt journey—one deserving of its own story, which you can read here.
The Takeaway
While we didn’t capture the dream shot, we gained something far more valuable. The adventure in photography reminded us that plans often go awry, and that’s okay. The journey, the experience, and the memories are what truly matter. We cherish that night deeply and will for many years to come.
And for those wondering about the PhotoPills app, it’s a game-changer. No endorsement here, simply genuine appreciation for a tool that turns dreams into plans. Check out our detailed review here. Also, check out here how we planned the most epic and beautiful Arkansas trip from the Old North State to capture the once in a lifetime experience of the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse, another Adventure in Photography.
So, here’s to the misadventures, the near-misses, and the beautiful chaos of chasing the “perfect shot”. May your trails be winding, your moonrises clear, and your adventures unforgettable.
With the June and August full moons coming in hot and with a vengeance, be sure to check out our articles here: Shooting the Stellar Skies of North Carolina: A Cosmic Photography Guide for August 2024 (juxtaposedtides.com)
Photographing the Moon: The Ultimate Guide
Photographing the moon can be both a challenging and rewarding experience. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step to capture stunning images of the moon, whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer.
1. Understanding the Moon Phases
- Moon Phases: The moon goes through several phases: new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter, and waning crescent.
- Best Time to Shoot: Each phase offers unique photographic opportunities. For detailed craters and textures, shoot during the first or last quarter. For a bright, full moon, shoot during the full moon phase.
2. Choosing the Right Gear
- Camera: A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings is ideal.
- Lens: A telephoto lens (200mm or longer) is recommended for capturing detailed shots. Wider lenses can be used for moon landscapes.
- Tripod: To avoid camera shake and for long exposures, use a sturdy tripod.
- Remote Shutter Release: Helps in reducing camera shake during the shot.
3. Planning Your Shoot
- Location: Find a location with a clear view of the sky, away from city lights to avoid light pollution.
- Timing: Use apps like PhotoPills, The Photographer’s Ephemeris, or Moon Seeker to plan the moonrise and moonset times.
- Weather: Check the weather forecast to ensure clear skies.
4. Camera Settings for Moon Photography
- Shoot in Manual Mode: Gives you full control over exposure settings.
- ISO: Start with an ISO of 100 to minimize noise.
- Aperture: Use an aperture of f/11 for a balance between sharpness and depth of field.
- Shutter Speed: Adjust the shutter speed to properly expose the moon. Start with 1/125 seconds and adjust as necessary.
- Focus: Use manual focus. Zoom in on the moon using a live view and adjust until it’s sharp.
- White Balance: Set to daylight or adjust in post-processing.
5. Composing Your Shot
- Rule of Thirds: Place the moon off-center to create a more dynamic image.
- Foreground Elements: Include trees, buildings, or landscapes to add context and interest.
- Multiple Exposures: For scenes with extreme contrasts between the moon and the landscape, consider taking multiple exposures and blending them in post-processing.
6. Advanced Techniques
- HDR (High Dynamic Range): Combine multiple exposures to capture the full range of light in the scene.
- Panoramas: Stitch together multiple images to create a wide-angle view of the moon and surrounding landscape.
- Stacking: Take several images of the moon and stack them in software like Photoshop to reduce noise and increase detail.
7. Post-Processing Your Moon Photos
- Software: Use programs like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop for editing.
- Adjust Exposure: Ensure the moon is properly exposed without losing detail.
- Enhance Details: Use sharpening tools to bring out the textures and craters.
- Reduce Noise: Apply noise reduction selectively to maintain detail.
- Color Correction: Adjust the white balance and colors to achieve the desired look.
8. Tips and Tricks
- Experiment with Different Phases: Each moon phase offers unique photographic opportunities.
- Patience and Practice: Perfecting moon photography takes time and practice.
- Join a Community: Engage with other moon photographers to learn and share tips.
By following these steps, you'll be well-equipped to capture breathtaking images of the moon. Happy shooting!
Comments