Your Take Today: Paste BN's top reader photo
Currently living in a small town, Your Take contributor Julia Barden has never seen a moonrise like this one.
While cruising the highway bridge in Perrysburg, Ohio, an hour before sunset, Barden says she noticed the moon was huge and more visible in the daylight than ever before.
When she saw the glistening moon, she slowed down and pulled off the narrow rural road to snap this photo.
"I finally found this farm and photographed it in several directions and angles, finally deciding that the trees were encircling the roof and framing the moon perfectly."
Barden, a self-described "photoholic," snapped away until she felt like she'd gotten the perfect shot. "I felt exhilarated and very much one with the earth. It was kind of a spiritual moment where I came to accept my new surroundings and appreciate it's beauty," she said.
What Barden loves about photography is that it allows her to "communicate visually in a powerful way; transcending the need for language even."
Barden took this photo using her Canon Powershot and used iPhoto to edit. "This specific photo didn't require much more than a little bit of saturation to accentuate the colors of the sky."
Barden, who went to the High School of Art & Design in New York City, said she was trained to frame a picture as she takes it. For example, this photo has no post-production crops.
"The most difficult part of shooting this photograph was to overcome my urban world view so that I could see the majestic simplicity and raw beauty in nature." Barden risked her personal safety to capture this shot, but took the risk because she was "in the zone" and felt compelled to push herself.
"I have always been a visual learner and am very passionate about sharing my 'photo stories' with others — sometimes to soothe, inform or educate," she said.
See more of Barden's photography on her Instagram and Facebook.
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