Split Rock Moonrise
Awards / Publications:
- 1st place in the 'Light House' challenge on Dpreview (April 2012, 100 total entries)
- Honorable Mention Open Landscape 2011 National Center For Nature Photography Annual Photo Contest (against 556 total entries). It didn't have a chance to place due to a category sweep from 3 of my other photos - Blazing Sunset, Miner's Beach Starburst Sunset, and Corkscrew Falls.
This photograph almost didn’t happen!
The day this was created was the day after the full moon, with moonrise coinciding with sunset pretty closely. I knew from checking my compass that the moon would be in a good location, but you can imagine my disappointment when I saw that huge bank of clouds along the horizon.
We were literally packing it in and calling it a night when I noticed the moon stating to peek through! It was rising past low-lying fog on the lake - in FRONT of a bank of clouds! What the heck?????
All I can figure is that the layer that appears directly behind it must have been really thin, and the lack of sunlight (the sun was below the horizon at the time of the photo) makes the cloud bank appear darker than it really is. Any theories would be appreciated. And NO – I did NOT fake the shot.
At any rate, I knew we only had minutes to get to our spot and get setup – and we MOVED baby! I made it just in time to take a couple quick compositions – and that was it. As we watched, the cloud just above the moon silently swallowed it up.
Funny thing is, I actually didn’t think I had anything worthwhile and figured the evening was more or less a bust. It was only after looking the photos over on the computer that I realized I might have something here.
In fact, it’s even worse then that. I had actually quickly skipped over this image looking for greener pastures dozens of times. It wasn’t until I really checked it out that I realized I actually LIKED what I saw.
I hope you do too 
About Our Prints....
We currently sell both individual prints and completely framed and ready-to-hang prints. Our framed prints are professionally matted, mounted and framed.
Here's a sample of our basic mat and frame:
Framed prints purchased though us are generally a better deal than taking a loose print to your local frame shop since we have a pretty significant discount that we pass along to you. When you receive your print in the mail, it's ready to hang and even comes with the hardware for doing so.
Please note that if you'd like another type of print (canvas for example) or another frame style, we can certainly accommodate you, just use the contact us page and we'll customize the artwork to make it perfect for your home.
Warranty
Our framed prints are guaranteed for as long as you own them against wear, fading, or deterioration. Loose prints are also guaranteed for as long as you own them provided you have them framed under glass using archival materials. We want you to LOVE your prints, so we offer a refund as long as the print or framed print is returned in like new condition within 30 days.
Signature
All prints are signed in one of the lower corners (usually the right hand corner).
Delivery
Delivery time varies and depends on a number of factors, but we always strive to get your prints delivered to you as quickly as possible. I personally inspect each and every piece before it leaves our building. If I'm out of town taking more photos, it can cause a delay, but a good rule of thumb is that a loose print will ship within 2 weeks and a framed print within 3 weeks. That time is significantly shorter if I'm in town at the time the order is placed. If you need a print done by a certain date, you can contact me and I'll be happy to give you an estimated delivery date.
Discounts
We are now offering quantity discounts if you are interested in two or more pieces. Simply contact me with the sizes and names of the images you are interested in and I will be happy to get you a quote. The more pieces you order, the better the discount.
Thanks for your interest!
Colors In This Photo:
21 Responses to Split Rock Moonrise
Excellent picture. My wife is a lighthouse fanatic. Probably because we’re landlocked here in Nebraska. She even has gotten me to become a little fascinated with them. Such grand and purpose serving structures for their time. Now, with GPS, I suppose they’re a little outdated. We’re trying to save up to go on a lighthouse tour sometime but are having a hard time deciding whether to go to the East coast, West coast or to the Great Lakes. With pictures like this, it’s helps making decisions. Thank you for sharing.
Great picture and great composition. Although you didn’t give details on the shot. I must assume that you were using a long lens, probably stopped down and focused at infinity, to get such great depth of field. Remember. also, that the moon is reflecting sunlight, while the fog/mist is actually backlit, making the fog appear nearly transparent.Also, since the fog is so much nearer, it is somewhat light shooting through a very shear, neutral curtain in your window at a distant subject. The brightness of the moon is orders of magnitude greater than the backlit fog. An extreme dynamic range between the two. That’s my theory and I’m sticking to it. Really like the shot no matter what magic is going on. Maybe some optical scientist/engineer will see this and give a better explanation.
Beautiful!!! Great shot!! Love it!! Got it on my wall.
SO BEAUTIFUL! THOSE ARE MY COLORS! WISH i COULD HAVE SEEN IT IN PERSON; I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE CRIED AT THE BEAUTY. HOPE YOU HAD SOMEONE TO SHARE THE MOMENT WITH…BESIDES YOUR CAMERA. I KNOW IT ISN’T THE SAME FIGHTING FOR A PHOTO OP AS IT IS JUST WATCHING FOR FUN.
This is on my desktop and I love it. I am crazy about lighthouses and this is a beautiful picture. Many thanks for sharing. I also enjoy your adventures.
Love the Photo
Have enjoyed your wallpaper pictures for a long time. Now, I am enjoying all your other pictures. Some of them are amazingly beautiful. Also, I love the stories that go with them. They make me feel like I am there with you. Thank you so much for taking me to places that I
will never be able to go.great wallpaper. i am a suscriber
i love all the wallpaper
I thought it was breathtaking.
Beautiful picture of my favorite subjects .. we went on a Michigan tour of lh last year .. loved it!! Can I ask a question? We did not see the Split Rock LH and we have a picture book that speaks of the Split Rock LH in Minnesota .. could there be 2 sightings of the lh in both Michigan and Minnesota? Thanks for your beautiful work.
I live near this site, and this is a beautiful pic of it,
Beautiful! We are, with baited breath, waiting for more.
Wow…. Magnificent photo!
I wanted to share this on my fb page, as a lot of my friends are moonrise fans. It required the “allow” app to access my data, which i never do… Love this photo though! A lot.
This is one of my all time favorites,because of the colors and the lighting. Let alone the picture,I have always loved the water in pictures. Being near the water is soothing to me.
I think this is one of my favorites. I use it often on my dasktop. I love light houses and you must have got that one in the photo especially for me.
YvonneI live in Minneapolis, MN, so I do get up to the North Shore of Lake Superior occasionally. Your photo of Split Rock LH is exceptional. It will be the wallpaper on my desktop shortly after I send this. Thanks for sharing.
Steve, once again, the majestic beauty that you capture with your camera and accessories brings great peace to my mind, just like, in this photo, the peace of the lake where the lighthouse is located.
Your friend!
Well, I am a nut for lighthouses. (In the Navy in 1950. I used the Key West lighthouse for navigating back from operations at sea.) As a result, I have always enjoyed lighthouse photos. Your is right up there on the scale. Keep it up.
Fred Cupp