How to photograph the moon: detail, size and landscapes
The moon is brighter than most people expect. Learn exposure, lenses and timing for detailed moon shots and big moonrises.
Many people photograph the moon and get a white blob. The moon is lit by direct sunlight, so it needs daylight-like exposure.
The Looney 11 rule
Start with f/11 and a shutter speed of 1/ISO: at ISO 100, use 1/100 second. Adjust from there.
Lens
The moon is small in the frame. Use the longest lens you have; the Tamron 150-500mm on an APS-C body gives about 750mm equivalent, enough for crater detail.
Sharpness
- Tripod, remote, stabilization off
- Manual focus on the moon’s edge using magnification
- Shoot many frames; atmospheric turbulence makes some sharper than others
Best phases
A half moon or crescent shows craters with shadows along the terminator line. A full moon is flat but bright.
Big moon over a landscape
Photograph the moonrise near the horizon with a telephoto from far away, so the moon looks huge next to a church, lighthouse or pyramid. Plan with PhotoPills.
Twilight balance
A moonrise during twilight lets you expose both the moon and the landscape in one frame.
Next: Cityscapes at night: blue hour, reflections and lights
