How did scientific analysis of the moon help Adams date this photograph?
Adams said he often disregarded the dates of his negatives, causing dismay among historians. Moonrise was dated anywhere between 1940 and 1944. “Dr. Elmore of the High Altitude Observatory at Boulder, Colorado, put a computer to work on the problem. Using data from a visit to the site, analysis of the moon’s position in the photograph, and lunar azimuth tables, he determined that the exposure was made at approximately 4:05 P.M. on October 31, 1941.” …back to top D. How important is “the moment” in photography? Adams and wanted to take a second shot because he realized he had “an unusual photograph which deserved a duplicate negative.” But he was a few seconds too late! “The sunlight passed from the white crosses.” It can be very frustrating for a photographer to miss an expression, a movement, or the right light. Luckily, conditions were just right for the one precious shot and Moonrise is the fortunate result. Adams said it “is a romantic/emotional moment in time.” …back to top E.
