7 Tips for Photographing the Moon

Moon photography is a form of night sky photography (or astrophotography) that relies on the right conditions and setup to shoot your images properly. Whether you’re an aspiring astrophotographer or simply picking up a new hobby, it’s important to learn the fundamentals first.

1. 1. Check the weather. An overcast night sky can impede the brightness of your subject and make it difficult to snap a clear shot. Before you pack up and take out your gear, make sure there is no impending snow, rain, or other adverse weather conditions that can affect your visibility.
2. 2. Check the moon phase. The phases of the moon are new moon, waxing crescent, first quarter moon, waxing gibbous, full moon, waning gibbous, last quarter moon, and waning crescent moon, before returning to the new moon phase and beginning the cycle again. Each phase will provide different lighting and environmental conditions which can impact your photography, however, there are websites online that will let you know which phase of the moon will occur on which date. A full moon will offer you the biggest and brightest light, while a new moon won’t be visible at all. Use this information to plan your shoots accordingly.
3. 3. Check the time. The moon will appear in different parts of the sky depending on the time of day. If you’re trying to capture a moonrise or moonset, check online to see what time that will occur for your specific region.
4. 4. Check your gear. You’ll need more than just a smartphone camera to capture solid pictures of the moon. Use a mirrorless camera or DSLR camera and come equipped with extra lenses and a tripod to make sure you can snap clear, steady shots of your lunar subject.
5. 5. Check your settings. The exact camera settings you need to photograph the moon can vary. However, you can generally capture the moon using manual mode with an exposure time (shutter speed) of 1/250th of a second, f/11 for the aperture (f-stop number), and an ISO setting (sensor speed) of 100 or 200. If using a DSLR, select the mirror lock-up feature to reduce camera shake.

Like with most night sky photography, you’ll need some essential gear to get started.

1. 1. A camera: You can use a DSLR, bridge, or mirrorless camera to capture detailed pictures of the moon.
2. 2. Lenses: You should always bring a few lenses with you to play around with and test out which captures your photos of the moon best. Make sure at least one of these is a wide angle lens, a telephoto lens, or a long zoom lens. A long focal length (300mm lens or longer) will help you get the sharpest shots of the moon.
3. 3. A teleconverter: A teleconverter is a tool that can help increase the magnification of your focal length if you don’t have a telephoto lens.
4. 4. A tripod: A sturdy tripod will help with image stabilization, and is especially useful if you plan on taking time-lapse photos, which require long periods of no movement.
5. 5. A remote shutter release cable: Sometimes called an external shutter release, a remote shutter release cable can help you snap sharp images of your subject by reducing camera shake during long exposures. If you don’t have one, you can use your camera’s self timer function to similar effect.

Capturing details of the moon can be tricky, but these tips can help you excel at lunar astrophotography.

1. 1. Scout your location. Given that you will be working in the dark, scout your location to plan your images before shooting. Make note of any possible challenges or obstacles. Does the site suffer from light pollution? Do the lights change colors? What angle looks best? How can you best maximize the light you have?
2. 2. Prepare for long periods outside. When shooting at night, prepare to be outside for long periods of time. It takes time and effort to get great night photography shots, from setting up the tripod and camera to adjusting the camera settings for proper exposure time. Keep in mind that it can be difficult to change camera settings when your hands are cold, so it might be a good idea to bring a few hand warmers with you or some gloves.
3. 3. Bring a flashlight. Even with ambient urban light, it still might be difficult to see your camera’s manual controls or see the screws for your tripod in low light. A small flashlight is a useful light source as you make your way through the night. You might even be able to use it to light part of your image.
4. 4. Set up your camera long before your shoot. The moon will continuously move across the sky throughout the night, so give yourself enough time to get your gear and camera positioning set up so you don’t lose your shot.
5. 5. Pay attention to the moon’s position. The time of night at which you shoot will determine the moon’s position in the sky. The lower the moon is, the more susceptible it is to reflection or interference from other light sources. Try to get your shot of the moon when it is at its zenith to ensure crisp detail.
6. 6. Use manual focus. While sometimes the moon’s surface can be big and bright enough to use autofocus, it’s best to stick to manual focus mode so you can have more control over how your photos come out. Since the moon moves with the earth’s rotation, you’ll need a fast shutter speed, and a low aperture to help capture the most light. Set your camera to the base ISO (ISO 100 or ISO 200) as your starting point, and gradually adjust from there.
7. 7. Use a telescope. If you’re interested in astrophotography, you can attach a camera to a telescope with an adapter and use the eyepiece or lens for even more detailed images of the moon.

While you may not capture crisp closeups of the lunar surface as well as NASA, you can still take breathtaking and detailed images of the moon.

1. 1. Plan your shot. Before you start shooting the moon, you’ll have to decide whether the subject will be just the moon, or if the moon will be part of the landscape. Keep in mind the phase of the moon you want to capture as well, as this will heavily influence how your moon looks in the final shot.
2. 2. Compose your shot. If the moon is simply part of your landscape, you can use the rule of thirds to help compose the positioning of the moon in your shot. However, if you try this layout with your moon as the main subject, it may look like a white blob. To photograph only the moon, zoom in all the way.
3. 3. Adjust your settings. With the moon as your central subject, adjust your other manual settings to properly capture your image. Use your shutter release to nab the photo.

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