There’s something truly magical about being out in the quiet stillness of the night, with nothing but the stars and the moon to light your way. Recently, I had the opportunity to do just that during a photography trip to Kanab, UT, where I met up with fellow IPPA members David Breslauer, Howard Meltzer, and Dave Wineger.

I started off photographing the moon rise, which was a stunning sight on its own. But I wasn’t quite ready to pack up my gear when the moon was high in the sky. Inspired by the soft, natural light that the moon was casting, I decided to try something new: capturing the rock formations using only the light from the moon.

The experience was both challenging and exhilarating. Without the usual tools of artificial light or the sun to rely on, I had to adjust my settings and techniques to work with the subtler illumination. The results were most interesting—rocks bathed in a gentle glow, shadows stretching the ground, and details that came to life in a way that only moonlight can reveal.

Experimenting with this technique pushed me out of my comfort zone and reminded me why I love trying different approaches in photography. Sometimes, it's the unexpected moments and the willingness to try something new that lead to the most rewarding images.

If you haven’t tried shooting landscapes under moonlight, I highly recommend it. The calm and quiet of the night, paired with the challenge of working with minimal light, creates a perfect atmosphere for creativity. Plus, you never know what kind of magical scenes the night might reveal.

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