Sunrise or Moonrise? Make your choice

[JimFox]

I captured this on last Monday night in American Basin in SW Colorado. It is such a beautiful location. I like to drive there and hang out for a few days amongst the wildflowers!

Nikon Z6II
Viltrox 16mm f1.8

All comments are welcome,

Jim

 

[AlanLichty]

The amount of cloud motion in the exposure strongly suggests moonrise unless you were using a ND filter. The road seems to be saying "come hither".

 

[Michael13]

Is that sunlight on the hills? With the stars poking through it could be moonlight.

 

[JimFox]

Good guesses guys, keep them coming!

 

[Kyle Jones]

I'm going work moonrise. It just has that "look" - moonlight shots are less harsh than daylight.

And then there are the stars...

 

[Beth]

love the look of the sharp stars and the moving clouds. nice colors too.

 

[JimFox]

The amount of cloud motion in the exposure strongly suggests moonrise unless you were using a ND filter. The road seems to be saying "come hither".

Thanks Alan, I was camped right next to the road there.

 

[JimFox]

Is that sunlight on the hills? With the stars poking through it could be moonlight.

Thanks Michael! The stars are the biggest clue.

 

[JimFox]

I'm going work moonrise. It just has that "look" - moonlight shots are less harsh than daylight.

And then there are the stars...

You nailed both clues Kyle. I knew the moon would just be too bright to do an all night Timelapse, but I did let my camera run for an hour or so as the clouds moved in and out while the light from the full moon started its slow process of painting the ground in soft light.