Getting Successful Shots of the Moon
Oct 25, 2018 08:51:26 #
Beautiful full Hunter's Moon last night, and I blew it, again. I have tried many different "recipes" (settings) for capturing the moon but rarely get a keeper picture. Shots are with blown-out highlights and also many have a second "moon" reflection that shows up under or beside the real moon. I'm amateur, but I can use my Sony a6000 (with a 18 - 200 mm lens) in all shooting modes and have a reasonable understanding of the camera. I use Lightroom. I realize I have limited equipment, but I know there must be a way to get something somewhat decent. Thank you!
Oct 25, 2018 08:54:07 #
People here get fantastic moon shots. You will have an overload of good advice. If you post a couiple of your shots and click on (store original), people will be able to offer useful comments.
Oct 25, 2018 08:56:27 #
Marlz wrote:
Beautiful full Hunter's Moon last night, and I ble... (show quote)
The Astro Photography section has a lot of good information and knowledgeable people. https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-109-1.html
Oct 25, 2018 08:58:49 #
Marlz wrote:
Beautiful full Hunter's Moon last night, and I ble... (show quote)
As you have mentioned, your equipment may not be the best for the effort, but you should be able to get something you can keep. First, mount on a tripod. If possible, switch to manual mode. You'll need a 'sunny 16' exposure setting (since the moon is reflecting direct sunlight). Try f/16 at 1/160 shutter (ISO 200). Check it, and if not satisfied, change the settings and shoot again. Good luck.
Oct 25, 2018 08:59:18 #
Easiest way is to go into manual mode, spot meter off the moon, and open up 1 stop beyond what the meter says. The moon is about 1 stop brighter than middle-tone and that should get you a perfect exposure. Just did it two nights ago for my exposure book :)
Oct 25, 2018 09:00:21 #
Thanks. Will post a pic or two as soon as possible. Last night was the last time I will be able to go for moon photography for awhile. Generally it is too cold here in northern Wisconsin (November - March) for me to have fingers that can manage my camera.
Oct 25, 2018 09:01:08 #
Marlz wrote:
Beautiful full Hunter's Moon last night, and I ble... (show quote)
Not sure of your specific issue (please post a shot and check the “store original” box), but the usual issues seems to be overexposure - moon is quite bright. I’d suggest either using the Loony 11 rule
( https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Looney_11_rule ) or spot metering on the moon. Using a larger metering pattern in which the dark sky is a major part, will result in overexposure. Also, the majority of pleasing shots I’ve seen are of something less than a full moon. You might also post your questions along with a shot in the astrophotography section for some expert advice and/or searching on the subject using the search function. Good luck, and post some shots when you succeed.
Cheers
Oct 25, 2018 09:02:32 #
Marlz wrote:
Beautiful full Hunter's Moon last night, and I ble... (show quote)
See my posting from a couple of nights ago.
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-560109-1.html
Shot with a Sony a7, a Tokina 500mm MF zoom, a Nikkor 1.4X TC and a good Tripod. The trick is to spot meter and put the spot on the center of the moon. That way you don't blow the whites. Also shoot several shots to make sure you don't have any vibration issues.
Good luck,
Oct 25, 2018 09:07:27 #
"Blown out"? Remember that the moon is a light source. It is not like taking a picture of anything else at night. Spot meter on the moon and underexpose a tad. Start with ISO 100, 1/150 or so, f/11. Oh and a remote release. And a tripod.
Oct 25, 2018 09:09:11 #
Steve Perry wrote:
Just did it two nights ago for my exposure book :)
Looking forward to another of your books!
Oct 25, 2018 09:11:44 #
Leaving for errands but so appreciate comments so far. Will check out the site later for what has been shared in the past on this topic ... will also post a few pics. So nice to have a community to go to for questions. I learn a lot here!
Oct 25, 2018 09:28:26 #
Consider shooting the moon at sunrise or sunset. #1 below is a composite, but I photographed the moon itself half an hour after sunrise on Sept 28.
There are only a couple of times per cycle when moonrise/sunset or sunset/moonrise times are close together, but well worth keeping in mind. One drawback is it takes very little haze, clouds or air pollution to totally obscure your subject.
Shot in raw, f/6.7 at 300 mm on Olympus EM10, 1/750 second because I'm wobbly and don't like tripods
(also, the closer to the horizon you shoot the moon, the more easily you will see that it is moving fast!)
There are only a couple of times per cycle when moonrise/sunset or sunset/moonrise times are close together, but well worth keeping in mind. One drawback is it takes very little haze, clouds or air pollution to totally obscure your subject.
Shot in raw, f/6.7 at 300 mm on Olympus EM10, 1/750 second because I'm wobbly and don't like tripods
(also, the closer to the horizon you shoot the moon, the more easily you will see that it is moving fast!)
Oct 25, 2018 09:30:01 #
dsmeltz wrote:
"Blown out"? Remember that the moon is a light source. It is not like taking a picture of anything else at night. Spot meter on the moon and underexpose a tad. Start with ISO 100, 1/150 or so, f/11. Oh and a remote release. And a tripod.
The moon is NOT a light source. It reflects sunlight.
Oct 25, 2018 09:32:57 #
Largobob wrote:
The moon is NOT a light source. It reflects sunlight.
If the reflected light is the only light doesn't that make the object that reflects the light the light source?
Oct 25, 2018 09:34:16 #
Largobob wrote:
The moon is NOT a light source. It reflects sunlight.
OK. "Functionally" a light source. You can treat it like casually reflected ambient light if you like.
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