Capturing the Magic: Photographing the Lunar Eclipse in Oregon
There are moments in life that leave you in awe, reminding you of the beauty and wonder of the natural world. For me, one of those moments came when I was finally able to photograph the lunar eclipse in Oregon. After years of planning, hoping, and waiting, I was fortunate enough to capture this celestial event that only happens once in a while. Here’s a glimpse into the experience of witnessing and photographing the lunar eclipse in Oregon.
A Long-Awaited Event
Lunar eclipses have always fascinated me. The idea of the Earth casting its shadow over the moon, turning it into a deep, reddish hue, is nothing short of magical. For the past few years, I have tried to photograph this event, only to be thwarted by cloud cover. This time, with the right conditions, I was able to capture the moment in all its glory.
Choosing the Perfect Location
One of the best aspects of living in Oregon is the variety of landscapes, so picking the ideal location to photograph the eclipse was a tough decision. However, with clouds forecasted over the primary landmarks, I headed over to an area I had not been before because my weather app predicted light to no cloud cover during there actual event. It was a bonus because I want to go back and explore that area further when time allows.
The weather in Oregon can be unpredictable, especially in winter and spring, so I was crossing my fingers for clear skies. The forecast was promising, with mostly clear skies expected, but like any photographer, I knew better than to get too hopeful too early. As the night approached, I was filled with excitement and nervous anticipation.
The Preparation
I drove out late morning for a couple of hours and then drove to a couple of spots I had picked out beforehand. I found a spot I thought would work and set up camp, scouted a bit with the drone and on foot and finally found a spot I liked. I also made sure to bring a warm jacket, snacks, and a thermos of tea because I knew I'd be out in the cold for several hours. Setting up my camera to capture the lunar eclipse required a bit of research. I wanted to get the best shot possible, so I checked the times for the eclipse phases and practiced adjusting my exposure settings for the evening ahead.
When the time finally came, the energy was palpable. The moon started to slip into Earth’s shadow, and the sky began to darken, casting a gentle glow over the landscape. It was fascinating to see the earth’s shadow slowly cover the moon and then the moon slowly glowing red. The lunar eclipse was a sight to behold, but it was the challenge of capturing it that made it all the more rewarding.
Photographing the Eclipse
Photographing a lunar eclipse is trickier than it seems. It’s not just about capturing the moon in its red, fiery glory—it’s about maintaining balance between the light of the moon and the surrounding night sky. The key is to avoid overexposure while still capturing enough detail of the moon's surface and the deep shadows cast across it.
As the moon began to turn a reddish color, I adjusted my settings slightly as I was planning on making the Timelapse you see on this page. However once the moon was totally covered in shadow, I realized I needed to bracket the photos in order to capture all the details in the shadows while still keeping most of the highlights from blowing out.
At the peak of the eclipse, the moon took on a mesmerizing deep red hue, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.
As I sat there, in the quiet of the night, looking through my viewfinder and snapping away, I felt a sense of connection to something larger than myself. There’s a profound beauty in witnessing the cosmic ballet between the Earth, the moon, and the sun—a rare and humbling experience. It made me realize how lucky I was to witness this lunar event in such a beautiful setting.
I chose not to photograph the entire event as it was really cold out and even with 3 jackets, a blanket, a beanie and partial gloves, I was ready to warm up in a down sleeping bag with an electric blanket to get warm again.
Conclusion
Making this Timelapse was also an event as it ended up that I edited over 700 images and then tried to use photoshop to make this Timelapse - alas, there were too many layers so I was able to export into Premier Pro and make the video there. At one point I was wondering if I would ever finish it but I persevered and I hope you can enjoy the experience through my lens
The lunar eclipse in Oregon was everything I had imagined and more. From the anticipation and planning to the actual event itself, it was an unforgettable experience. Photographing it was a challenge, but it also served as a reminder of the incredible beauty that surrounds us, even in the most ordinary moments.