VICTORY FROM THE JAWS OF DEFEAT

VICTORY FROM THE JAWS OF DEFEAT

My moon shots are usually well planned, alignments pre-determined, shoot spots scouted, weather forecasts researched. When they result in good photos it is tremendously satisfying. But what if the plan goes awry, or it was ill-conceived? This occasionally happens and it is dismal.

Well, not always. On one occasion I had two back-to-back messy shoots and emerged triumphant nonetheless.

7% Crescent

The first was on December 3, 2024, with a 7% waxing crescent that was to set over San Francisco. Such delicately thin crescents are exquisitely beautiful.

Map of Treasure Island & San Francisco Bay

My plan was to capture it from north Treasure Island aligning it with Coit Tower. My photography buddy Ilia Gur came along. This was my to be my gig. I was the captain.

Map of Bay Bridge exit into Treasure Island via Yerba Buena Island

We were off to a bad start as we drove out too late and were slowed down by rush hour traffic. By the time we exited the Bay Bridge for Treasure Island there was no time to reach my planned spot. I thought all was lost.

Then a surprise. We dropped into Treasure Island at its south side, the only entrance, and there in front of us was that beautiful crescent, atop the Transamerica Pyramid.

I parked in a rush and ran out, hastily positioning myself for a proper alignment. There was no fiddling with my camera. I had entered the necessary settings back home. I quickly captured the fleeting moment before the moon moved on.

Moon descending toward Nob Hill

I had ran far from my vehicle. Now, looking back, I realized I had left it unlocked, my driver’s door and tailgate still open. Thankfully Ilia had set up nearby, in effect guarding it. I relaxed, moved to the waterfront, and continued to shoot as the moon set over Nob Hill.

Moon over Mark Hopkins Hotel

Plans awry, results awesome.

* * *

The next day, December 4, 2024, the crescent would be fatter, 13%. It would set later, so driving time was not a problem. This time Ilia was the captain and he drove. He planned to shoot from Albany Bulb, a small promontory near Berkeley. We arrived there after sunset with plenty of time to spare, the crescent staring at us high in the sky.

It was a spot neither of us had ever scouted. The area was fearfully dark and desolate, and Ilia did not like the San Francisco skyline from there. Too far. He decided to search for a more appropriate site.

We now found ourselves on an improvised scouting trip as the moon continued its descent. Ilia drove first to Emeryville, then Berkeley Pier and rejected both. Then he chose Treasure Island, same spot as the night before. This would be final whether we liked it or not since by then, the moon was approaching horizon.

As we set up by the same south waterfront, disaster! The moon disappeared into a cloud bank. That’s it, I thought, we’re getting zilch.

Resigned to our fate, we began shooting the well-lit San Francisco skyline instead.

Then a miracle!

To my amazement the crescent reappeared below the cloud bank amid a wispy mist that gave it a sinister look. It was descending upon an Art Deco building in Nob Hill that I later identified as the Clay-Jones Apartments. I zoomed to 500 mm and captured the moon as it tucked itself behind the penthouse, its light penetrating through the front windows.