On the evening of May 23rd, 2024, I joined a my usual MeetUp photography group to capture the full moon rising over Alcatraz. With my Fuji X-T3 and the XF 100-400mm lens in hand, I headed to Sausalito, CA, from San Francisco.
Full Flower Moonrise over Sausalito (Fuji XT-3, Fuji XF 100-400)
The moonrise was expected around 9:15 PM, presenting a unique set of challenges. The bright full moon contrasted sharply with the dark waters of the San Francisco Bay and the dimly lit Alcatraz Island. Balancing these lighting conditions was tricky and I’m continuously trying to improve my technique.
Full Flower Moonrise over Sausalito (Fuji XT-3, Fuji XF 100-400)
I relied on the Fuji XF 100-400mm lens for its impressive reach. This combination allowed me to frame the moon and Alcatraz just right, capturing the scene successfully.
Before the main event, I took the opportunity to explore the Sausalito Yacht Harbor with my Fuji X100VI. This compact yet powerful camera is perfect for spontaneous shots. The evening light cast a beautiful glow over the harbor, making for some great shots of the yachts and the serene water. It was a tranquil prelude to the night's main attraction.
Sailboat Masts (Fuji X100VI)
Boat Storage Lockers (Fuji X100VI)
As the moon began to rise, it was truly a sight to behold. The bright, full moon ascending over the iconic silhouette of Alcatraz was mesmerizing. The darkness of the bay and the sparse lights on the island created a dramatic contrast, highlighting the moon's brilliance. Capturing this required careful adjustments to exposure settings to balance the moon's brightness with the surrounding darkness.
Despite the challenging conditions, the images turned out to my satisfaction. The combination of the long reach of the XF 100-400mm lens and the X-T3's excellent performance in low light allowed me to capture the moon in crisp detail, with Alcatraz standing quietly below it.
The evening concluded with a sense of satisfaction and a collection of nice images
Sunset behind Mt. Tam with Sailboat Masts in the Foreground (Fuji XT-3, Fuji XF 100-400)