It was advertised Thus …
Experience one of Broome’s most magical natural events at the Fusion Moonrise, taking place on Sunday, 10 August. As the full moon rises over Napier Terrace, it aligns perfectly with the iconic Fusion sculpture located at the Carnarvon Street roundabout in Chinatown — creating a breathtaking visual that draws photographers, locals and visitors alike.
The moon is expected to rise at approximately 6:30pm, with its peak alignment above the sculpture occurring at around 7:10pm. This rare phenomenon only happens twice a year, making it a must-see moment that blends Broome’s rich cultural heritage with the beauty of its natural environment.
The photographer faces a few challenges. You cannot make the moon large by getting closer, the distance you can move your tripod is nothing by comparison with the distance from the lens to the moon. If you want the moon to be big in frame you must use a long lens. If you use a long lens and want to get the sculpture in the frame you must move back. The moon stays at the same angle (the distance you can move the tripod etc.) As you move back the apparent distance between the moon and the top of the tripod increases. If you want to bring the distance down you must move forward and use a wider lens. By the time the moon is just off the top of the sculpture it is tiny in frame.
The moon at night is very bright in the sky. The sculpture on the other hand is quite dull and not artificially lit. How dull varies depending on whether headlights are playing on it or not because only part of the street is closed to traffic. So a long and not entirely predictable exposure for the sculpture, shorter for the moon. You’d like them both in focus? Well good luck with that!
The only answer I can think of is … to Cheat! Take a few shots of the sculpture, choose the best. Take a good shot of the moon. The fusion occurs when you the merge the two.
bobmcgee 