Finally, June's Total Lunar Eclipse from Brisbane

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi all

I was travelling for work during the Total Lunar Eclipse on the 16th June, so I lugged two 40D's and two tripods in my carry-on luggage up to Brisbane in an attempt to capture the event.

The legendary Dennis Simmons, who it was so great to meet in real life after being friends online for years, was kind enough to be my Brisbane tour guide as we did some reconnaissance on several locations, trying to choose the best spot to capture what I had in my minds eye - a view of the city with the blood red Moon setting behind it.

Ultimately we choose the lookout overlooking Story Bridge with the City of Brisbane behind it. We met Troy Piggins there, as well as some other onlookers and photographers who formed a nice line stretching up and down the length of the park. We must've been a sight for the many joggers and bike riders who scooted past in the pre-dawn hours of a cold Brisbane Thursday morning.

I had one camera with the wider 17-70mm lens to capture a Montage, snapping away every 5 minutes, and the other with the 24-105mm lens which I used to capture different types of shots as they presented themselves.

In the end, the story came out better than the photos. I really didn't rush to process these photos or get them online, simply because there's nothing special about them. The view and the montage has already been seen and done better than mine, by both Dennis and Troy.

The changing exposure and me stuffing around with the times, and some fogging up towards the end, meant the montage isn't what I had in my minds eye. The fogging up created some nice haze around the bridge which I left in in the version below.

Anyway, it was a beautiful visual event. The darkest eclipse I've seen and a lovely morning spent with friends. Though it took a while for my toes to defrost back at the hotel room!

Thanks to Dennis for being my tour guide, my taxi and my friend. To hear he may now get an iPad 2 is quite a step up for the young man

Larger versions here:
Pictures of the Total Lunar Eclipse, June 16th 2011

The last shot is the scene before the Eclipse started. Brisbane is a lovely city at night.

Thanks for looking.

[Shiraz (Ray)]

great images Mike - beautifully done. Regards Ray

[Quark (Trevor)]

A most excellent set of images Mike, very well composed indeed and love the refections in the water.

Regards
Trevor

[StarsInMyEyes (Peter)]

Hi Mike, some very nice images there. I think the 2nd one with the eclipsed moon behind the AAMI building is my favorite.

Peter

[h0ughy (David)]

nice work Mike

[Dennis]

Hi Mike

A lovely set of photos and although we were all shooting from the same location, you have managed to produce something a little different, thus providing some excellent alternate views and interpretations of this stunning event.

It was great to meet with you; the enormous lengths and efforts you and H0ughy went to in order to record this event galvanised me into action from my astro-sloth of late. Early in the piece I was working more from a sense of “duty” to astronomy but once the rubber hit the road and we embarked on our reconnaissance, it was refreshing and uplifting to see your passion and commitment for this event – they certainly helped chase away the chill from the cold morning and lift the bleariness from my tired eyes!

I was also impressed by your capability in planning, creative thinking and attention to detail – you work hard to get the great results you produce although I guess this should not have come as a surprise, given the success and longevity of Ice In Space.

I still cannot fathom how you fit all this stuff in, I’m sure there must be at least 2 or 3 of you!

Cheers

Dennis

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks for the comments, guys.

And don't sell yourself short Dennis - when you put your mind to it, you're the kind of forward planning! All with an old school compass

[troypiggo (Troy)]

I quite like the foggy/dreamy look of the first, then as the Moon approaches totality it snaps into sharpness and colour. Also like your closeups, I didn't get an opportunity to do that.

'twas a memorable morning for me, both for the event itself and for meeting some more IIS'ers in person. Thanks for putting up with me.

[Troy]

Nice shots Mike

[firstlight (Tony)]

Nice work Mike, some very nice captures.

[iceman (Mike)]

Thanks guys, appreciate your comments.

[Ric]

Lovely images Mike.

Don't be surprised if AAMI want to use use your images for some advert.

Cheers

[John Hothersall]

A great set and love the first one showing the progression.

John.

[Matt Wastell (Matt)]

Thanks for the super images - excellent work Mike!