Thursday, April 13, 2017

Guy Walks Into a Bar Full Moon

Full Moon APR 12 2017, Kin Town, Okinawa


April 2017 Full Moon Over Okinawa



It's a little bit late this month. It seemed like this, wasn't going to happen.

Normally, I get out the night before, during and after the full moon is scheduled to appear.

The evenings of the 10th and 11th, we had nothing but clouds so, it was impossible.

The meteorologists, said the sky would clear-up last night.  But, it didn't look that way, to me.

About 7:30 heavy, black clouds were blowing up the east coast of the island.

I messaged a friend and let him know, what time to start looking for the moon.

He lives south on the western coast. I hoped, he'd get some good photos if, the moon showed .

Just getting over a nasty cold, I decided beer would be better than photography.

If the moon appeared before I got too relaxed, I could go back to work and shoot it.

Positive, I made the right decision, I walked out after my first beer and looked for the moon.

Nothing but black skies, was all I saw so, another beer got in front of me.

Relaxing, while watching the movie "Jaws" was all I had left to do for the day.

In the Bar & Cafe Brasil, they have a Reserved sign in a corner of the bar, just for me.

Now, that I think of it, every bar I go to, in this town, has a special seat, just for me.

It's probably because, I look lots older than, I really am or, it could be my drinking habits.



Anyway This Guy Walked Into the Bar



He's the same guy, who wanted to know if, I could use a brand new toilet seat, a few years ago.

We've been friends for more than a few years. He knew exactly where to find me last night.

"Mike, I figured you'd be out there shooting the full moon," he said as he walked in.

He had just finished some ungodly miles of night bike riding and, was excited about the moon.

"Look, I'm watching Jaws and drinking beer, I told him. Somebody else can shoot the moon."

He kept telling me, it was the biggest brightest moon, he ever had seen.

Well, I told him, my camera shooting friend, down in Naha, would shoot it for me.

Off he went and, I finished my beer so, I could go outside and peek at the moon.

There it was. Not a cloud in the sky. I told the bartender, I had to go back to work.



Quick Moon Shots



Normally, I would climb up to the roof of my building for moon photography.

After a few beers, I didn't think it would be a good idea so, I stayed down on earth.

The tripod, camera and lenses are heavy, expensive and, not drunk proof.

A few shots were taken with 420MM of lens and 700MM of lens.

The photo above was shot with the Sigma 50-500 and a 1.4 converter and, I like it best.

A mild HDR image was created to smooth out highlights and shadows.

Everything got downloaded and put away for the night and, by 10:30 I was back in the bar.

If I ever go drinking downtown again, I think I'll buy that biking guy a beer !

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