You don't have to be a rocket scientist to shoot the moon

Dubai - Apple launches its first-ever Eid campaign on 'Shot on iPhone'

In the early 1600s, Galileo Galilei started observing heavenly bodies using his trusty telescope. What he saw through his lens was so reliable that he was able to churn out sketches of the moon in his book Sidereus Nuncius, illustrating its features and phases.
Imagine the damage the great Italian jack of all trades would have done if he were in an age like ours awash with technology. Or, on the contrary, he - and the rest of the observer battalions before us - could be so amused with how simple you could do things.
So, how about shooting the moon using only a smartphone and a telescope?
Sighting the moon has been a long-standing tradition in the Arab world - none more important than the role it plays during the end of the holy month of Ramadan, which signals the beginning of Eid Al Fitr, celebrated around the world not just by Muslims, but by everyone who respects its significance.
Five amateur photographers from the region spoke to Khaleej Times regarding their experience taking snaps of Earth's satellite, using only two pieces of equipment - not exactly what you'd expect for such an undertaking, but the results were great, nonetheless.
 

Mohamed Almahroos
"I have never done any kind of moon photography before, so when I was called for this project, it was a straight yes," said Bahraini Mohamed Almahroos, referring to Apple's first-ever Eid campaign in its long-running 'Shot on iPhone' programme.
"Yes, technology has simplified a lot of things in our life... now the technology in camera phones makes everything easy... unlike before where very complicated and heavy devices [were needed] to capture a very low-resolution photo."
 

Samy Olabi
Samy Olabi, from Syria, says the "good old moon is always fun to shoot", and it gets even better without those geeky requirements.
"In iPhone photography you strictly go back to basics; you ditch the complicated technical and editing tools and just focus on the image composition, lighting, colours, lines and patterns. Being able to do so will produce amazing artistic results."
Apple lays out simple five steps to capture the moon without hassles: set up a telescope and line up an iPhone; turn off the flash; tap and hold to lock the focus; drag exposure all the way down; and snap away. For good measure, share your shots with your friends and family to see professional you've become.
 

Iskander Ahmed
"I guess when you shoot with a handheld device... the idea of capturing heavenly bodies seems pretty unimaginable," Iskander Ahmed, from Bangladesh, says.
"But there I was, staring directly into the moon, parsing along and witnessing every inch of surface detail that I thought could only be achieved through satellites and outrageously expensive cameras."
 

Huda bin Redha
Emirati Huda bin Redha, who is also a lawyer, recalls that the experience also brought something very Ramadan - camaraderie.
"We spent the month of May shooting all the different phases of the moon almost every night. Each night I would be surprised seeing how it has changed from the night before and how the details would be different. It felt like I had a special bond with the moon after spending hours shooting it," she recalls.
"Although hours were spent shooting in the desert, time was not an issue. I worked alongside a great group of photographers and an amazing crew which made the experience worthwhile."
 

Jameela Ahli
Another Emirati, Jameela Ahli, says that with simple everyday things, you can advance what you're doing by leaps and bounds.
"This is an example of technology enabling us to do great things as simple and easy as possible, we just have to be innovative with how we use technology," Ahli, who is also an explorer, added.
"I've always seen clear beautiful images of the moon, and always thought that in order to get an image like this I must have a proper expensive camera with a gigantic zoom lens. Never have I imagined that I'd be able to conveniently capture a clear image of the moon with a simple device."
To boost the campaign, Canadian astrophotographer Andrew Symes guided the five of them throughout their journey, sharing his expertise.
"This campaign goes to show that today, everyone can be an astrophotographer. You don't have to be a professional to be able to capture the wonders of space - you just need a few tips and a bit of practice."
The moon shots from the five photographers will be front and centre on Apple's billboards that will be put up across Abu Dhabi and Dubai starting today.
They are one in saying that going back to basics doesn't necessarily mean you can't make a powerful statement.
Moreover, seek get help whenever you can; learning new things everyday isn't as difficult as shooting the moon.
- alvin@khaleejtimes.com