I am by far no planetary expert, but I have always been amazed by what’s ‘out there’.

The imaginary thought of galaxies far, far away, the depth of space, the mystery of other planets. Does princess Leah really exist?

Do aliens orbit throughout our galaxy?

Who hasn’t wondered about the universe above?

The moon is a highly influential planet for our globe. A full moon has magic powers some say. Others believe in secretive rituals.

It turns humans into wolven beasts. Some just can’t sleep throughout the lunar cycle. I will leave the science to the planextperts. 

But there is something magical about the full moon. The moon’s gravity towards the earth changes ocean waters all around the world.

What better place to photograph the full moon when it’s rising over the ocean.

The vastness over the ocean extended to the moon is just mesmerising. A bright pathway leads straight to the man in the moon.

Rolling waves over past rolling rocks. Using a slow shutter-speed scenario, one automatically integrated the ocean’s movements within the frame.

A glary curtain of waves. Full moonlight is 400000 times fainter than the sun. This results in a photographic problem. The camera needs more time to gather enough light for a clear capture.

The decrease of the shutter speed then also picks up movements within the time frame.

These turn into individual strings during the slow shutter period. Water movements change to a very different picture.

It pays to do a bit of research before setting off for a full moon photo frenzy.

Preferably a few days before a full moon.

This helps you to see in which angle the moon appears over the horizon. Then you can line up any other object with the rising moon.

If you’re in unknown territory, it always pays to listen to local advice. Study local maps to mark out prominent locations. Any kind of waterways reflects some moonlight.

Reflections of the water is a modest way to double the light impact. Not only over the vast ocean. Flat, wet surfaces reflect any light perfectly.

If this surface gets frequently overflown by ocean ripples, it changes the whole concept of the photo.

A little rock pool, that momentarily catches the sea waters, creates small cascades. 

Calm lakes reflect moonlight flawlessly.

Still tidal puddles along the foreshore will differ reflections depending on their size.

Headlands are always a considerable location, due to their 180 degrees view. These often differ vastly from another.

Some headlands are covered in flora, while others don’t. They both have a different magical effect.

Some marine strategically important headlands transmit lighthouses for over a hundred years or more.

How is this for a picture? All four light beams are captured within this frame. And the moon adds to a fabulous landscape.

It isn’t only the moon itself that makes one photo better than the other. Fluffy clouds fill in over the horizon extremely well. Changing light and ray appearance behind or around the clouds. 

The full moon always rises at sunset. Every 28 days.

With a little luck and a favourable location, sunset and moonrise can be experienced at the same time. What a spectacle.

This is the photographically called ‘golden hour’. You may not look towards the sun directly, but fading sun rays are lighting surroundings nicely. Adding additional light and complexion to the frame.

While the moon rises to the east.

Other times, the full moon appears to shimmer as bright as the sun.

Only the stars above prove nighttime hours. 

I personally like to use the sepia setting for full moon photos too.

And if one is really lucky, the full moon appears behind old friends. This pelican had the best of both planets.

One needed a scratch to believe it. The pelican’s orange glow really is enchanting.   

Once the moon has risen high enough, it’s moonlight intensity increases. One can see objects quite clearly within fullmoonlight.

Just like the sun, the moon shines directly on to objects like trees. Solely with an extra dash of red.

I was particularly thankful for moonlight at my memorable breakdown in the Kalahari Desert two years ago.

It enabled me to watch this pride of lions without a torch.

One has also the choice to aim towards the moon, like in a forest. The options are endless, once you know what you are looking for.

Don’t forget to invite a friend for some moony loons.