Photograph the moon in Los Angeles

anonymouscuban · March 11, 2011

March 19th's full moon will be the closest it's been to Earth in the past 18 years. I would like to try my hand at shooting the moon for the first time. I will be shooting it with a 500mm lens on a crop body. The techniques I have down. What I need help with is finding a good location that will get me up high and maybe away from city lights.

I live in the SF Valley and am will to drive about an hour or so. I don't want to have go off roading or anything since I will be travelling back home at night. I have a couple of placing in mind but wanted to see if you guys know of any different places.

Any suggestions?

Cygnus Studios · March 11, 2011

I would suggest heading outside of town to Mt Wilson. Not that far away and should get you a little ways from all the light pollution.

anonymouscuban · March 11, 2011

Cool. Mt. Wilson is one of the spots I was think of but I've never been up there. I know there is an observatory there but I think they close at 4PM. Is that where you mean or is there other spots to shoot? Also, how's is the drive up there? Is it a paved road or dirt?

Cygnus Studios · March 11, 2011

It has been a couple of years since I have been there. If I remember correctly it is paved at least up to the radio station tower. There are a couple of pull offs as you head up the hill.

Anywhere along the Angeles Forest should be a good bet. Lots of hills that overlook the cities to the west and tons of nothing to the east. Depending on when you head out and the track of the moon that night, you should be able to find lots of darkness.

There is a huge park over near Sierra Madre (south east if I remember correctly) that is also a good dark spot with high hills.

doingcool · March 16, 2011

riverside http://fai-11.smugmug.com/Photography/Exploring-LA/Riverside/15051463_nHPcf#1123018320_AcnUx

Angelo · March 16, 2011

Cygnus Studios wrote: »

I would suggest heading outside of town to Mt Wilson. Not that far away and should get you a little ways from all the light pollution.

+1

anonymouscuban wrote: »

...I know there is an observatory there but I think they close at 4PM. Is that where you mean or is there other spots to shoot? Also, how's is the drive up there? Is it a paved road or dirt?

paved all the way to the top with lots of places to stop along the way

.

a110p0 · March 18, 2011

I have a shot idea for Los Angeles. Use The Photographer's Ephemeris
to locate a position where the moon rises over the Griffith Park
Observatory.

I thought this spot might be a good location.

I have no actual experience at this location so you should get there
early enough to scout out the location.

In LA the sunsets at 7:03PM and the moonrises at 7:29pm on Sat.

Just a thought.

Alvin

anonymouscuban · March 18, 2011

Thanks guys. As luck has it, rain is scheduled for tomorrow. Not sure if this is going to happen now. May have to wait until the next full moon.

Photograph the moon in Los Angeles

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