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Photography: Worm Moon

I came back from Las Vegas on a night with a full moon and a total lunar eclipse. The event known as the Blood Moon. Despite setting an alarm, I couldn’t bring myself to get out of bed. I woke up in a panic at 6 a.m., raced to a local park, and then discovered I had the wrong lens.

The event that all the local photographers had been planning for the entire month is something I missed.

With only five minutes until a hill hid the moon, I hiked in as fast as I could. It was cold, and I wanted to quit. What’s the point? These photos won’t be right. I’ve already missed it. Who cares anyway?

But I didn’t stop. Once I secured the camera strap around my wrist and lifted it to my eye, I wanted to use it. I wanted to see what looked cool through the lens. Even these imperfect and messy shots feel like another step in my journey. I became obsessed with water droplets on leaves. The way I could see warmth when the sun hit the grass. Faraway reflections which I couldn’t get in focus, but still hold a certain truth. A lone bird at the top of a tree taking in the morning sun.

I keep getting messages I’m on the right track, so let me know what you think. You like these? Have a favorite?

#1

#2

#3

#4
#5
#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

#13

#14

#15

#16

#17

#18

#19

#20

  • These were taken with my Olympus E-M1 MarkII, using a 40-150mm lens and edited with Lightroom Classic.

38 thoughts on “Photography: Worm Moon”

  1. I absolutely love 2, 3, 6, 8, 11, & 16! IMHO, you just keep getting better and better. It’s as if you hone in on the subject and you automatically know how to bring it into full view and make it the focal point of the picture. That, to me, makes a great photographer. Keep it up, Bridgette!

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  3. Over on Great Courses is a course of online classes on mindfulness photography which was interesting to take. The idea was to slowly and mindfully consider each shot then take it and write about what you though of it later. These remind me of things like that.

    Thank you

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    • Oh, that sounds like a beautiful project. As I’m getting more and more into taking photos of people, I need to remember to slow down. To consider the entire shot before hitting the shutter button, and then reflect on what’s next. Thoughtfulness will be important as I move into these new shoots, trying to navigate my models, and keep all the technical stuff in my head. Mindfulness. Thank you for the reminder.

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    • Oh, I missed the actual eclipse, but luckily there’s a moment during sunrise when the moon turns a bit red each day. That’s what I got this time. You know, I almost didn’t include that first shot, but there’s something about it that appeals to me. Can’t say why.

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    • Oh, that’s so kind of you to say, Roy! Yeah, #19 is one of my favorites. I absolutely love the different textures of the plants, mixed with the water droplets. I love that you saw creatures! That’s so cool!

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  12. I love #2 because I am a sucker for bright oranges and yellows against a deep blue background. I also appreciate how much work goes into a shot like that, plus the timing and luck. The feeling of “why bother” when you think you’ve missed that perfect moment—I can appreciate that one as well. I am glad you pressed on and stayed to take these pictures. They are hauntingly beautiful.

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  14. Bridgette,

    You know my philosophy. There are no accidents. You were supposed to show up, when you showed up, with that Lens, to take these pictures. The pictures are amazing! I especially liked 2, 3, 6, 9, 15, and 17. If I had to pick among my favorites I really loved # 2 and #3, the shots of the moon. Keep on glowing and growing girlfriend. You are becoming even more amazing.

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    • Oh, Penny, you are SO RIGHT. I don’t know why I fight it. That was the lens for that morning. I wouldn’t not have gotten the water droplets with the “right” lens. Thank you for always cheering me on, and I absolutely can’t wait for our shoot next week.

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