Full Moon Over Canterbury School 

Greensboro, NC

There was a full moon on this night and I was on my way to one of the lakes in Greensboro, NC, looking for a photo opportunity.  On my way to the lake, I came upon this scene.  The moon was just high enough in the sky to be visible right above the school's sanctuary and, as luck would have it, the lights were on inside the church as well as the portico being lit.  Here was my photo opportunity; full moon, beautiful architecture, and stained glass!

I pulled in the parking lot and set up my tripod, camera, and quickly made the camera adjustments.  I was working fast in an effort to capture the scene before the moon rose much further above the building.  I had just enough time to get off a couple of shots before the security guard drove up beside me.  I had no idea that the parking lot was off limits after 9:00 p.m., and anyone on the property not affiliated with the school, or there without permission, would be trespassing.  Yikes!  I'm sure there was a sign somewhere about after hours, but I was so focused on the scene in front of me that anything else became invisible.  The security guard was very nice, but let me know that I had to leave immediately!

Photography sometimes offers its opportunities when you are least expecting.  It pays to have your camera with you at all times.  That's a lesson I learned long ago.  The loss of one opportunity still haunts me to this day, all because I didn't have my camera with me.  I can still see the image in my mind, knowing that it would have been a fantastic, one of a kind shot!  On this night I was deliberately out hunting, with equipment in hand, and came upon this unexpected chance.  So glad I got the shot, trespassing and all.

Linda S. Montgomery

November 26, 2013