SHOOTING THE MOON: I am trying to get a shot of the Moon through some tree branches, and am having difficulty getting the detail of the moon. It is blown out. I've tried changing...

Pinenutz 1

I am trying to get a shot of the Moon through some tree branches, and am having difficulty getting the detail of the moon. It is blown out. I've tried changing shutter speed and ISO settings with no luck.
Does anyone have input on finding the right combination of
shutter speed and aperture to get the details of the moon?

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

Pinenutz 1 wrote:

I am trying to get a shot of the Moon through some tree branches, and am having difficulty getting the detail of the moon. It is blown out. I've tried changing shutter speed and ISO settings with no luck.
Does anyone have input on finding the right combination of
shutter speed and aperture to get the details of the moon?

If you want details of the moon, you need to focus on the moon, but then you most likely loose the tree branches, best scenario is to get a good exposure and detailed image of a moon and one of the tree branches and later combine the two. That is what I did in the pic below.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

If you are getting no detail in your moon, it's because you are over-exposing the shot. A full moon is very bright. So if you set your aperture and ISO (for example, to f/8 and ISO 200, just keep upping the shutter speed 'til you can see the detail in your preview.

Another option is to take the full moon shots just as the moon is rising or setting, so that there is some daylight. There are usually two days per cycle where the timing will work for you. Here's what I mean:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-250695-1.html

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-243052-1.html

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-243964-1.html

Previous discussions on UHH re settings:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search.jsp?q=moon+settings&u=&sr=true&s=1

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

Proper exposure of the moon itself, requires that you follow the "Sunny 16" rule (exposure = what you would use on a bright, sunny mid-day shot).

To also get detail in the foreground, a 'merged' photo is required, like the example above.

James56 Loc: Nashville, Tennessee

If you want a night shot, best way is to use a tripod. Get a good exposure of the moon that's not blown out. Then shoot the foreground scenery with a longer exposure. You may want to take several exposures (pick 2 or 3 of best ones) then merge them. Each layer opacity can then be adjusted as needed to give you the feel your looking for.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Pinenutz 1 wrote:

I am trying to get a shot of the Moon through some tree branches, and am having difficulty getting the detail of the moon. It is blown out. I've tried changing shutter speed and ISO settings with no luck.
Does anyone have input on finding the right combination of
shutter speed and aperture to get the details of the moon?

Try the sunny 16 rule. Yes I know, it's at night and it's the moon, but the moon is directly lit by the sun.
Set your camera to Manual Mode (M)
Set your aperture to f/16
Set your shutter speed to 1/ISO~~~in other words if you have your ISO set to 100, make your shutter speed 1/100. If you have your ISO set to 400, make your shutter speed 1/400. Etc.

Pinenutz 1

Will do! Thank you!

Pinenutz 1

Thank you! I'll give it a try tonight!

Pinenutz 1

Excellent! Thank you!

Pinenutz 1

I'll give this a try tonight. Thank you!
I appreciate the help.

Pinenutz 1

By the way, Love this shot!

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Pinenutz 1 wrote:

By the way, Love this shot!

Its a good idea that when responding to a specific post to click on "Quote Reply" instead of "Reply". That way the post you are responding to will be included and everyone will know who you are responding to.

SonnyE Loc: Communist California, USA

That was one of my first desires when I got my Tamron lens.
I found it a bit of a tough nut to crack.
But it's a lot of fun.
Tripod first.
If you have remote release capabilities, or a timed release mode, use them. The reduces camera shake.
You could use Live View.
And the moon will be moving, make allowances for that.
Then enlarge for your viewing, crop, and save.
Try some under exposing and lighten slightly in processing.
Shoot a lot, play a little.

Oh, and the Moon is not made of green cheese.
It's made of snow. And bright! :shock:

Pinenutz 1

Thanks to all of you!

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

Pinenutz 1 wrote:

I am trying to get a shot of the Moon through some tree branches, and am having difficulty getting the detail of the moon. It is blown out. I've tried changing shutter speed and ISO settings with no luck.
Does anyone have input on finding the right combination of
shutter speed and aperture to get the details of the moon?

Do what you want, butt be very careful using that title for your post in the future. Some people may be disappointed, or confused. :lol: :lol: :lol: