Taken at the North Window Arch in Arches National Park, the photo transforms the iconic rock formation into a surreal masterpiece titled Desert Eye. Los Angeles-based photographer Elliot McGucken meticulously planned this composite image using a Fuji GFX100s medium format camera. He positioned the shot at dusk, perfectly aligning the Moon within the arch’s natural curvature to mimic the shape of an eye.
“To me, the arch resembled a perfect eye from a specific angle. All it needed was the Moon to serve as the eyeball,” McGucken explained. “I captured the image at just the right moment to emphasize the formation’s unique shape.”When McGucken shared Desert Eye on Instagram on May 17, it quickly went viral, garnering nearly one million likes. The overwhelming response, he says, has been “incredible and humbling.”
The North Window Arch is one of over 2,000 natural stone arches in Arches National Park, a popular destination for photographers seeking to capture its stunning formations. In 2020, photographer Zach Cooley achieved a similar effect, capturing a full Moon within the same arch. Cooley used tools like PlanIt!, The Photographer’s Ephemeris, and PhotoPills to carefully map the Moon’s trajectory and align his shot.McGucken, a prolific artist and physicist, is known for his awe-inspiring landscapes, seascapes, and conceptual photography exploring the nature of light and space. He has been previously featured on PetaPixel for his striking photos of a flooded Death Valley in 2019.While Desert Eye is a composite image, McGucken openly acknowledges this aspect, emphasizing that he aimed to highlight the surreal beauty of the scene rather than present it as a single-shot photograph.For more of McGucken’s work, visit his Instagram or website, where he regularly shares his creative and scientific photographic endeavors.Desert Eye: A Masterpiece of Timing and Creativity
A surreal image of the full Moon perfectly framed within Utah’s North Window Arch has captivated viewers worldwide. Created by photographer Elliot McGucken, the composite image, aptly titled Desert Eye, transforms the natural rock formation into a lifelike desert eye gazing at the heavens.McGucken shared the image on Instagram in May 2024, where it quickly garnered nearly a million likes. “The reaction has been wonderful and overwhelming,” said McGucken, who finds joy in sharing his artistic interpretations of nature.The Planning Behind the Photograph
McGucken explained that he envisioned the arch as a giant eye needing only a Moon to complete the illusion. Using a Fuji GFX100s medium format camera, he captured the photo at dusk, carefully aligning the celestial body with the arch’s curvature. The result was a stunning, otherworldly composition.
While Desert Eye is a composite image, McGucken has been transparent about this process, emphasizing that his aim was to showcase the surreal beauty of the moment rather than adhere strictly to realism.Similar Shots and the Art of Lunar Photography
The North Window Arch in Arches National Park has long attracted photographers for its dramatic formations. In 2020, photographer Zach Cooley achieved a similar effect with a single-shot image of the Moon framed by the same arch. Cooley’s shot required meticulous planning, using apps like PlanIt!, The Photographer’s Ephemeris, and PhotoPills to calculate the Moon’s position.Both images highlight the artistry and precision required to capture such unique celestial moments.Elliot McGucken: Fusing Science and Art
McGucken is not just a talented photographer but also a physicist, blending science and art in his work. His projects often explore the movement of light through space, creating conceptual images that challenge perceptions.Previously featured on PetaPixel for his photos of a flooded Death Valley, McGucken continues to share his stunning landscapes, wildlife, and conceptual photography on Instagram and his website.For those enchanted by Desert Eye, McGucken’s portfolio offers a treasure trove of breathtaking views and creative interpretations of the natural world.


A surreal image of the full Moon perfectly framed within Utah’s North Window Arch has captivated viewers worldwide. Created by photographer Elliot McGucken, the composite image, aptly titled Desert Eye, transforms the natural rock formation into a lifelike desert eye gazing at the heavens.McGucken shared the image on Instagram in May 2024, where it quickly garnered nearly a million likes. “The reaction has been wonderful and overwhelming,” said McGucken, who finds joy in sharing his artistic interpretations of nature.The Planning Behind the Photograph
McGucken explained that he envisioned the arch as a giant eye needing only a Moon to complete the illusion. Using a Fuji GFX100s medium format camera, he captured the photo at dusk, carefully aligning the celestial body with the arch’s curvature. The result was a stunning, otherworldly composition.

The North Window Arch in Arches National Park has long attracted photographers for its dramatic formations. In 2020, photographer Zach Cooley achieved a similar effect with a single-shot image of the Moon framed by the same arch. Cooley’s shot required meticulous planning, using apps like PlanIt!, The Photographer’s Ephemeris, and PhotoPills to calculate the Moon’s position.Both images highlight the artistry and precision required to capture such unique celestial moments.Elliot McGucken: Fusing Science and Art
McGucken is not just a talented photographer but also a physicist, blending science and art in his work. His projects often explore the movement of light through space, creating conceptual images that challenge perceptions.Previously featured on PetaPixel for his photos of a flooded Death Valley, McGucken continues to share his stunning landscapes, wildlife, and conceptual photography on Instagram and his website.For those enchanted by Desert Eye, McGucken’s portfolio offers a treasure trove of breathtaking views and creative interpretations of the natural world.