BEST DIGITAL CAMERA TRIPOD

Digital photos shot with Pentax K20 camera.
Raw files processing with DXO Optics Pro v6.6
The moons were shot with camera on tripod, delayed shot with lifted mirror, Pentax 18-250 f/3,5-6,3 objective, at 250 mm and f/6,3 or f/8, Kenko 2X focal duplicator (750 mm equivalent focal in 35 mm).
My goal was to capture the best moons in my town (Coordinates: Lat 44.4078, Long 7.7896) during the two years before 13 July 2011, and to submit the project to the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2011 competition. For all the shots, I used normal photographic gear.
I thought it would be easy, but I was wrong. The project is based in the place I live, a hilly corner of land at the bottom of the Alps. Even when the weather is good, the sky is hazy, especially at dawn and dusk. It was hence problematic to shoot the moon when it was close to the horizon, and this is why I do not have good shots of the early and late moon. My best result is displayed in this image.
The background is a panoramic photograph of 9 shots at dusk, taken facing the Alps from the upper part of Mondovi, province of Cuneo, Italy (Coordinates: Lat 44.3894, Long 7.8291), with a Sigma 18-50 f/2,8 objective, at 50 mm and f/4 or f/5,6.
Final editing with Gimp v2.4 (Difference fusion method).

EXPLORED Nov 26/2008 #108

Once more my husband suffers at the expense of my addiction to light and color. Let me explain.

Last night, I was making supper. I started the onions cooking, and then I turned to see this remarkable sunset taking shape.

I tried desperately to resist, I really did. But as the colors deepened, and the rays of heaven spread out in their purple glory, I caved.

I said a prayer for the onions, grabbed my nearest pair of shoes, my tripod, a jacket, wrenched open the door, and stood in the cold.

This is the result. Oh, and yes, my husband was treated to burnt onions and a hunk of sausage for his dinner.

He really is very tolerant of me.