It started with a text message, “Get your camera ready tonight . . . it’s the buck moon”. So there we were all set up on a beautiful summer’s night above Firestone Bay, Plymouth waiting for the moon rise. We had the ‘app’ so had worked out the ‘where’ allowing for the cliff getting in the way but . . . had completely forgotten about the ferry. Our hearts sank when we realised that Brittany Ferries would start their crossing just as the moon was rising. Would it block the view? Would ????? Argh!!
‘Keep Calm’ . . . we’re British . . . even though there is smoke starting up in the ship’s funnel . . . and the ship has now started gliding into the Sound making its way round Drakes Island!!!
No!!!! We could already see the telltale orange glow (much like the old fashioned high pressure sodium street lighting we grew up with). And there it was . . . the moon . . . rising through some trees then, in a moment, it was in the sky.
Brittany was steaming ahead right underneath. We thought it would be one blurred mass yet . . . for some reason, had not expected light trails. Short version . . . taking a photograph at that time of night requires the shutter to be open longer (amongst other things) and, because the ship is moving, light trails. The picture . . . an unexpected abstract looking boat with a beautiful moon. Hey ho.
Moon rises over Drake Island
The next night . . . standing on The Hoe getting shots of Smeaton’s Tower (1759) . . . a lot less stressful!
Fantastic capture!