Setting Moon

[Tigger.ufo]

This is probably a dumb question but I'm going to ask anyway!

Does the setting moon look bigger the lower it is in the sky? I know that the rising moon does, (something to do with the atmosphere magnifying it?)

 

[StewartR]

Yes, for the same reasons.

 

[Pookeyhead]

It looks bigger... but it's not. The atmosphere in actuality makes it appear slightly smaller when on the horizon when actually measured. It's a phenomenon caused by apparent scale.. it looks bigger because there are little things on the horizon to measure it against, whereas in the clear sky above, it appears smaller in bast empty space. There are also other theories that suggest similar things. However.. it's definitely smaller when rising or setting as it's actually further away

Here's a diagram.... and perhaps a reason why I'm a photographer and not an illustrator

'tis an optical illusion

 

[Tigger.ufo]

@Pookeyhead

So if it is rising over the sea , will it look small because there is nothing to measure it against?

I am asking because I was looking at attempting to get a picture of the moon rising with a pier in the foreground.

 

[Pookeyhead]

@Pookeyhead

So if it is rising over the sea , will it look small because there is nothing to measure it against?

Possibly, but that's where the other theory of angular perspective comes in. You'll find many arguments if you research, and believe it or not, no one has actually proved what causes the phenomenon. Suffice to say, in actuality, it is smaller on the horizon though, and it's larger appearance is an illusion.

I am asking because I was looking at attempting to get a picture of the moon rising with a pier in the foreground.

In that case, you'll probably be using a wide(ish) lens to include the whole pier, so the moon will appear very small in the frame. The only way around this would be to shoot the pier from a long way away with a long lens, so the magnification of the lens flattens the perspective.

Take a look at this...

http://www.tutorial9.net/tutorials/photography-tutorials/lenses-and-focal-length/

As you see... despite being the same distance from the background, using longer lenses gives the impression of the size difference between the two objects being much different. The objects in the background appear larger with a longer lens, and smaller with a shorter lens. Obviously, with the longer lens shots, the photographer is further away from the road sign. So if you were a long way away from the pier with a long lens, the apparent size difference between pier and moon would be less. With a short lens, the moon would appear very small indeed, as you'd have to be a lot nearer the pier.

 

[Tigger.ufo]

@Pookeyhead

Thanks very much David, never realised that!

So, I have a 70-200mm f2.8 and a 150-500mm f5-6.3 and can get a reasonable distance away from the pier along the beach, which would be best in your opinion please?

 

[Pookeyhead]

Impossible for me to say, as I've no idea how far from the pier you will be, nor how large the pier is

Take 'em both... suck it and see

 

[Tigger.ufo]

Thanks, will do that.

...just need the weather to play ball now!