The Brazilian photographer Leonardo Sens finally took the photo on he had long dreamed of. According to PetaPixel, he positioned himself on Icaraí Beach, which is about seven miles from the statue, and photographed the moon just as it passed behind the figure, who appears to hold the glowing orb in his outstretched palms in an act of divine alignment.
Sens has been studying the Moon’s position in the hope of capturing the rare moment the celestial object aligns with Christ the Redeemer.
Who is Leonardo Sens?
Born and raised in the city of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Leonardo discovered his passion for photography in 2002, when he got his first camera. He takes it everywhere and takes photos of everything, especially landscapes and nature.
He has a degree in Electrical Engineering, and, for many years, he juggled photography and engineering as his two jobs, but during the pandemic, in 2020, he started working exclusively as a photographer.
In the beginning, landscapes and nature were what most enchanted him. But after investing in new equipment, Leonardo became interested in taking pictures of people as well.
About the image that won international media coverage, he explained that the idea arose precisely from his observation. He studied the movement of the Moon and waited for the perfect moment and climate conditions.
“Here in Niterói we have a view of the mountains of Rio de Janeiro, and it’s easy to see that at certain times of the year the sun and moon pass close to Christ. Then I had the idea to research and observe the correct date. I used cell phone apps that indicate the positions and times, Leonardo explained.
“This alignment takes place every year, but in 2021 I was unable to frame the photo and in 2022 it was too cloudy on the day”, said the photographer. Even with unsuccessful attempts for two years in a row, on June 4, 2023, he arrived at Icaraí beach very early, set up his equipment and waited attentively for the moment when the alignment would occur, moving sideways to get the perfect framing. And it happened. At 6:28 am, the photo was captured.
For the future, the photographer has plans to make an exhibition of his photos and put the images up for sale, so that other people can have a bit of his art in their homes.
To learn more about the work of Leonardo Sens, visit @leosens on Instagram.