Shoot for the moon! Brazilian photographer captures incredible shot of Christ the Redeemer ‘holding’ the moon with both hands after three years of failed attempts

• Brazilian photographer Leonardo Sens took a series of photos of the iconic statue Sunday as the moon went down
• In one of the photos the iconic 98-foot high monument appears to be holding the moon with both hands
• Sens revealed that he spent the last three years studying the moon’s alignment and came close to taking the viral shot on Saturday – but clouds didn’t permit it

By Adry Torres For Dailymail.com

Published: 08:49 EDT, 7 June 2023 | Updated: 09:37 EDT, 7 June 2023

A Brazilian photographer has finally succeeded in capturing an incredible picture of  Christ the Redeemer appearing to ‘hold’ the moon with both hands after three years of failed attempts.

Leonardo Sens snapped his long-awaited shot Sunday from Icaraí Beach in the Rio de Janeiro municipality of Niterói, almost seven miles away from where the iconic statue is located.

The viral photo shows the 98-foot high monument atop the Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca National Park with the moon right above it.

‘In the end, everything went well and I was able to register the long-awaited photo,’ Sens told Brazilian news outlet G1.

Sens, who has been taking pictures around the Rio de Janeiro area since 2005, revealed that he had prepared himself for the astonishing shot by studying the Moon’s position.

He explained he already knew the time of year that the Moon aligned with the concrete and soapstone monument – by far the country’s main tourist attraction.

Sens used different applications to help him find ‘the times and the exact date’ that the moon would be positioned directly above Christ the Redeemer.

He told online news portal Itatiaia he had purchased a new set of lens two years ago in hopes of being able to take ‘closer photos of the moon and the sun.’ 

Sens said he tried and failed Saturday to capture the shot when the moon was blocked out by clouds.

But the conditions for his anticipated picture changed on a dime and he moved sideways as the moon started to go down.

‘I went early at the planned time. All I had to do was adjust the tripod and wait for the moon to align,’ Sens said.

The photo set has gained more than 137,000 likes on his Instagram account and wowed his followers.

‘I have seen several pictures of the moon but you managed to leave the perfect angle in a memorable way,’ one follower wrote.

Another said: ‘I don’t even know what to say about these photos … it’s incredible, exciting.’

NEVSEHIR, Türkiye

Türkiye’s Cappadocia, with its stunning natural wonders, has become an increasingly popular destination for photography enthusiasts and social media influencers.

Located in the central province of Nevsehir, Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has gained worldwide fame in recent years for its unique volcanic cones, known as fairy chimneys, as well as its underground cities, hot-air balloon rides, rock-carved houses, and early Christian structures such as churches, chapels, and shelters.

Previously known as a popular destination for honeymooners’ photo shoots, Cappadocia now attracts a growing number of photography enthusiasts, largely influenced by social media posts.

Hundreds of tourists, including honeymooners, flock to Cappadocia to capture its beauty through their lenses simultaneously.

Halil Gunes, head of the Cappadocia Photographers Association, revealed that both domestic and international visitors come to the region daily, solely for photography purposes, which has positively impacted the area.

To cater to the demands of photography enthusiasts, the region has witnessed an increase in the availability of costumes and classic vehicles, Gunes added. “A few photo shoots take place at sunrise and there are people who want to take pictures at sunset, but the majority occur during the hot-air balloon departures.”

Gunes believes that photography accounts for about 30% of the tourism sector in the region.

Mustafa Caner Yalcin, a photographer providing services to tourists in the area, stressed that some visitors come to Cappadocia for just a day to pose in front of the camera.

Yalcin said that photography tourism has contributed to the diversity of tourism in Cappadocia.

“This is a situation related to the penetration of social media into our lives. One of the purposes of people visiting the region is to take pictures,” he said.

Another photographer, Saban Ciftcibasi said they ensured that tourists capture the most beautiful images from dawn till dusk.

“Photography in Cappadocia has become a part of tourism. We start photographing with the departure of the balloons in the morning and continue until sunset. Especially during morning hours offer excellent photo opportunities with the balloons. Both domestic and international tourists exhibit high demand,” Ciftcibasi stated.

Enes Ozcen, who traveled from northwestern Bolu province solely for a day of photography, described the scenery in Cappadocia as extraordinary.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan

Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Please contact us for subscription options.

Street photography traditionally makes use of a relatively wide angle lens, with 35mm and 24mm options often being the most popular. Of course, you do not have to limit yourself to those focal lengths, however. This interesting video essay makes a case for why you should grab a 50mm lens the next time you head out for a street photography session.

Coming to you from Robin Wong, this great video discusses the benefits of using a 50mm lens for street photography. Usually, street photography is shot with a 24mm or 35mm lens, as this allows the photographer to immerse themselves in the action and capture intimate, dynamic shots. However, a 50mm lens can be a nice alternative. A lot of street photographers eschew telephoto lenses because they have overly long working distances and can be tricky to use in crowded situations, but a 50mm can be a nice in-between, offering a bit more ability to isolate subjects in the frame while not being such a long focal length that it forces you totally out of the action. On top of that, if you enjoy working with narrow depth of field, you can typically get a narrower DOF using a longer focal length and the same aperture. Furthermore, wide-aperture 50mm lenses can be purchased for less than $100. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Wong.

Posted: 7th June, 2023 by The Editor

UK indie rock outfit, Panchiko, played a terrific set at Philly’s Brooklyn Bowl. With support from LSD and the Search for God, and Horse Jumper of Love, the night was certainly one to remember. Jay was there taking some amazing pics, both on digital and film. Check them out!

Photos by Jay Leiby

The Alternative is ad-free and 100% supported by our readers. If you’d like to help us produce more content and promote more great new music, please consider donating to our Patreon page, which also allows you to receive sweet perks like free albums and The Alternative merch.

Research shows that consumers retain 80% of what they see and only 20% of what they read. This means that visual marketing is critical to your success! A great product photo could make all the difference.

The good news? You don’t need a professional photographer or invest in professional photography to score a great product photo. By improving your product photography skills, you can easily take your own product photos and show off the value your brand can offer, all while saving money you can invest back into your marketing strategy!

Great product photos can help you attract more people to your Instagram account and more buyers to your business. This can mean great things for growth and success as you work to build your brand’s impact.

Wondering how to transform your Instagram feed with incredible product images? Keep our top 10 tips in mind!

1. Photograph in batches

Efficiency is the key to marketing success, and product photography is no exception. Taking photos in batches can help you make the most of inspiration when it strikes and give you a great backlog of images to rely on when you’re running low on time.

Don’t stop at one or two images when you set out to take new product photographs. Set up and style your space just once, and take the time to snap a great collection of photos you can keep on hand for later use.

2. Use natural light

Natural lighting can make a big difference to the overall professionalism of your product photography. This is also an easier way to photograph, as using natural light means you’ll need less time and effort to set up.

Don’t rely on artificial lighting unless you can access professional-standard photo studio lighting. Instead, wait for the sun, and make the most of light, bright spaces that utilize natural light while avoiding direct sunlight glare.

3. Choose a backdrop

A good backdrop can be powerful in steering the focus to center your product. Plain backgrounds make your product a focal point and can help you avoid unwanted distractions that detract from what you’re trying to sell.

Say goodbye to busy backgrounds, and plan to keep things simple and streamlined. You can purchase a plain white background from an art shop and make sure your product image has visual appeal that prioritizes the product itself.

4. Style your shots

It’s not enough to simply throw your product onto a set and start snapping pictures! Styled photos can help you demonstrate what your product can do or how it can be used to improve life for consumers.

Try a mix of flat lays and lifestyle photos that highlight the best features of the products you sell. Create styled images that appeal to potential buyers by showing off a quality product in an aesthetically pleasing way.

5. Aim for variety

Variety is everything when it comes to DIY product photography! A mix of different angles can help you illustrate a range of different features and elements in your product shots while also mixing up the overall look of your Instagram feed.

Try some close-up shots and others that show your product in full. Take some product photos with a real-life vibe, and let other images focus directly on special features and quality indicators that speak to your key selling points.

6. Incorporate branding

Branding is critical in helping you build your business, so it should also be a consideration for product photography. Incorporating your brand colors and logo can help customers recognize your products when they see them.

Try to include elements in your photo shoot to represent your brand in meaningful ways. The best product photos that align with who you are and what you can offer. This is an important part of preparing to make an impact on social media.

7. Curate your equipment

Professional photographers use professional equipment! A good camera can go a long way towards helping you capture high-quality product photos and create visual content that converts when you list your products online.

The good news? Most iPhones come with amazing camera quality that you can use to take high-quality product images. It’s also a good idea to invest in some quality backgrounds and props. If you’re serious about continuing to take your own photos, you might even purchase a light box!

8. Edit your photos

Sometimes, editing is where the real magic happens! Effective image editing can help you retouch any blemishes and highlight the best image elements to drive more sales and generate more interest and engagement.

With photo editing and image retouching, you can adjust things like your lighting and color balance to show off your product in the best way. You can also alter crop and zoom features to take your photos to the next level.

Make sure to use consistent editing across all of your photos so your feed looks cohesive and on-brand!

9. Practice your skills

Practice, practice, practice! No one becomes a skilled photographer overnight, but when you commit to honing your skills, you can improve your ability to meet your product photography goals.

Never give up on learning more about commercial photography. Try a range of different shots and photography techniques, and don’t be afraid to ask for tips and advice from other business owners you know are great at taking photos.

10. Plann for success

On social media, a successful outcome always starts with a good plan. Planning ahead can help you identify new photography opportunities and innovative ideas that could help your products stand out from the crowd.

When it’s time to start taking photos and editing them, set a clear plan to help you understand what you’re trying to achieve. Then try a range of approaches to meet your goals and capture high-quality photos of your products.

What next?

Product photography is great for social media use, but you don’t have to stop there! You can also use images for your ecommerce store and other marketing channels.

Ready to share your product photos with the world? Work smarter, not harder with Plann!

Sign up for a 7-day free trial of Plann Pro and effortlessly curate and schedule your content ahead of time.