Superstition Moonrise

“Superstition Moonrise” was captured right at the beginning of my Arizona Photo Store journey. I had just purchased my first digital SLR, and to be honest, I barely knew how to use it. But I’ve always been a moon junkie, so when a full moon lit up the sky, I headed straight out into the desert to get my “moon tan.”
I wandered across the desert floor near the Superstition Mountains, experimenting, guessing, and learning on the fly. Today, with the experience I have now, I would shoot this scene very differently—but that’s exactly why this moment is so special. If I had known more back then, this version of the shot never would have existed.
When I got home and viewed the images on my computer, this one immediately stood out. The bright halo around the full moon, the colorful glow of the clouds, the silhouette of the saguaro, and the dark outline of the Superstitions all came together in a way that surprised me. It felt like the desert was putting on its own nighttime performance.
This image has remained one of my most popular pieces, and it looks especially incredible in the LED backlit frames. The moon and clouds illuminate beautifully, making it one of the top favorites in that format.

Follow the story behind the art.
Get new photos, behind-the-scenes notes, and Arizona Photo Store  updates on Substack.

Follow the story behind the art.
Get new photos, behind-the-scenes notes, and Arizona Photo Store  updates on Substack.