We are very pleased to be parked right at the beginning (or end) of the 26.3 mile Valley Metro Rail System. What better to do than take this train from end to end and just photograph whatever looked interesting (or challenging). We planned to enjoy a brunch at N-Counter that is right at the Tempe and Mill stop, and then walk to Tempe Camera. From there we would re-board the train and check out Main Street in Mesa. We were surprised to find that the Mesa Center for the Arts was an interesting stop. We finished the day at Tempe Town Lake.

Each stop along our route has plants, artwork, shade and benches.  Weekday ridership averaged 43,543 people in 2015, making it the 13th busiest light rail system in the USA. Both income and ridership has exceeded initial plans and expectations. — Each stop along our route has plants, artwork, shade and benches. Weekday ridership averaged 43,543 people in 2015, making it the 13th busiest light rail system in the USA. Both income and ridership has exceeded initial plans and expectations.

There is an area at the Mesa Arts Center where you can step on small disks in the tile and various musical sounds are emitted from speakers in the ground.  I tried creating a mixture of beats by jumping around on different combinations of the d… — There is an area at the Mesa Arts Center where you can step on small disks in the tile and various musical sounds are emitted from speakers in the ground. I tried creating a mixture of beats by jumping around on different combinations of the disks. I needed partners to really get something good going but all they wanted to do was take pictures!!

Right ch away we realized that we could each look at the same 'scene' and interpret it so differently.  I kept thinking of sailboats.  Which side of the pole gives a better composition?  Lens? — Right ch away we realized that we could each look at the same 'scene' and interpret it so differently. I kept thinking of sailboats. Which side of the pole gives a better composition? Lens?

We had quite a good discussion going on about how to capture the depth of field that we wanted.  Can you tell where I focused?  f/7.1 — We had quite a good discussion going on about how to capture the depth of field that we wanted. Can you tell where I focused? f/7.1

Greg must have liked the individual profiles.

OK Tom!!  Go fisheye! — OK Tom!! Go fisheye!

Steve had purchased a great 'oldie' 2X extender while at Tempe Camera, a 'real find'.  I would say he got his money's worth! — Steve had purchased a great 'oldie' 2X extender while at Tempe Camera, a 'real find'. I would say he got his money's worth!

Have to stop for mud at a Mill Street coffee shop.

Old Main Street offers some interesting photo opportunities.

Drainage from Tempe Town Lake provides a small reflective stream.

I don't know what these items are on the left.  Perhaps a buttress as they form the new dam for the Tempe Town Lake.  They reminded me of artillery on some battleship!! — I don't know what these items are on the left. Perhaps a buttress as they form the new dam for the Tempe Town Lake. They reminded me of artillery on some battleship!!

Aha!  Greg used the infinity edge of the water pool to create this composition suggesting the rail goes into the water. — Aha! Greg used the infinity edge of the water pool to create this composition suggesting the rail goes into the water.

Lots of fun just playing around with ND filters.

The Golden Hour collides with blue lights on the bridge.  Just so many compositions possible. — The Golden Hour collides with blue lights on the bridge. Just so many compositions possible.

There are so many photo opportunities using the train. Consider that the route runs past such wonderful stops: ASU Sun Devil Stadium, the Phoenix Art Museum, the Heard Museum, the Chase Baseball Stadium, US Airways Center, Sky Harbor Airport rail, Tempe Mill Avenue, Main Street in Mesa and more!!! Not to mention downtown Phoenix and all the wonderful restaurants along Central Avenue. We found the vehicles to be clean and the fares very reasonable. The system uses a 'step on' access system but keep your ticket because they randomly check for fare compliance (reported to be 94%).

Unfortunately, I think I am an opportunist when it comes to photography. I go and see what I can find and come home. I seldom go in search of a specific image. That is too bad. But, I had been eyeing an opportunity for some time and had created just the perfect image in my mind. It was of the building just south of Tempe Lake between the Mill Avenue bridge and Rural Road. There were at least 5 cranes, partial buildings, and I thought it would make a great photo in a blue hour. And then . . . Super Moon!!!!

So, off I took yesterday afternoon to scout a site for capturing the much talked about super moon with the site described above as part of the foreground. I had checked times, degrees of where it would rise, etc. I realized that the moon would rise just as the sun set. That could, maybe, be an advantage in leveling out the light. Blah, blah, blah.

I found several options after hiking about for an hour without heavy gear. I even managed to park close by. Yeah! Things were looking pretty good. I was pumped!

If you are interested, here are the shots I took. I put metadata and times under each shot. Great fun . . . just . . . the moon did not show up for my party!

ISO 560, f/19, 1/60 with Nikon D800 and 24-70mm f/2.8 Tamron lens.  Taken at 6:38 PM. Camera and lens will stay the same all evening. Also, a very good polarizer was on my lens the whole time. — ISO 560, f/19, 1/60 with Nikon D800 and 24-70mm f/2.8 Tamron lens. Taken at 6:38 PM. Camera and lens will stay the same all evening. Also, a very good polarizer was on my lens the whole time.

ISO 100, 70mm, f/8, 1/8 at 7:07 PM.  My expectation is that the moon will rise between the most left crane and the middle building under construction.  Aside from being quite bright with the sun still not having set, I am thinking the clou… — ISO 100, 70mm, f/8, 1/8 at 7:07 PM. My expectation is that the moon will rise between the most left crane and the middle building under construction. Aside from being quite bright with the sun still not having set, I am thinking the clouds to the East just might be a problem! Check weather app. Yep, clouds are going to be a problem. Dang it!

ISO 100, 34mm, f/8, 1/3 at 7:15 PM.  No moon.  I comfort myself in realizing that I had wanted to be here for a long time for a blue hour shot.  No whining allowed.  Plus, just look at those pastels! — ISO 100, 34mm, f/8, 1/3 at 7:15 PM. No moon. I comfort myself in realizing that I had wanted to be here for a long time for a blue hour shot. No whining allowed. Plus, just look at those pastels!

ISO 100, 44mm, f/8, 1/6 at 7:22 PM.  They say that sometimes the best photo is behind you.  I check that out, just in case.  Not bad. — ISO 100, 44mm, f/8, 1/6 at 7:22 PM. They say that sometimes the best photo is behind you. I check that out, just in case. Not bad.

ISO 100, 66mm, f/8, 1 second at 7:26 PM.  The lights are slowly coming on and I am now committed to stay for the full blue hour.  A couple of other photographers show up looking to capture reflections.  They are not interested in the … — ISO 100, 66mm, f/8, 1 second at 7:26 PM. The lights are slowly coming on and I am now committed to stay for the full blue hour. A couple of other photographers show up looking to capture reflections. They are not interested in the Super Moon. They point out that there is lightning in the distance (way to the left of this image). I check my app and see that it is 39.5 miles away. You can relax mom.

ISO 100, 46mm, f/8, 1 EV, 6 seconds at 7:33 PM.  More lights are coming on. How can one get starbursts with an f/8? — ISO 100, 46mm, f/8, 1 EV, 6 seconds at 7:33 PM. More lights are coming on. How can one get starbursts with an f/8?

ISO 100, 46mm, f/8, 4 seconds at 7:34 PM. Still getting starbursts!  Very cool. — ISO 100, 46mm, f/8, 4 seconds at 7:34 PM. Still getting starbursts! Very cool.

ISO 400, 70mm, f/22, 30 seconds at 7:48 PM.  I am now into serious blue hour and the settings show that.  The choice to use f/22 was intentional (I shot other combinations).  I like the way this one looked out of all of them shot. Unf… — ISO 400, 70mm, f/22, 30 seconds at 7:48 PM. I am now into serious blue hour and the settings show that. The choice to use f/22 was intentional (I shot other combinations). I like the way this one looked out of all of them shot. Unfortunately, some components are still blown out. I am still thinking about how I might adjust, in camera, to avoid that.

By now I had made new friends on Tempe Lake! We compared notes, watched lightning in the east and exchanged information. As we chatted, briefly, the sky changed! The sun wow long gone. So, where was this read coming from?

ISO 400, 32mm, f/4, 4 seconds, at 7:52 PM.

By the last image I was beginning to think about the rather long hike back to my car. I was thirsty. But, mainly I ease excited to get home and check my images! I will also admit to being pleased, even without the moon, to having gotten the shot I had thought about for several months. Now I am on to the next planned image.

Thanks for sharing.

Take the Train

The Super Moon That Wasn't

Index