How to capture the moon
May 31, 2023 09:15:55 #
May 31, 2023 09:32:09 #
cascom
Loc: Redmond
Are you trying to get the moon or the moon in a scene? I shot a football game during a full moon. I was using a 70-200 with a 1.7 extender. I then used the same lens and photographed the moon. It is very easy to add the moon to the football photo in Photoshop.
May 31, 2023 09:41:39 #
May 31, 2023 10:00:56 #
larryepage wrote:
There was quite a bit of discussion of this topic ... (show quote)
Good answer. I usually start with ISO 100 and move up to 400 or 800 I’d need be. And use the reciprocal shutter speed. Time of year and location makes a difference. My best, if you want to call them that, have been in the Fall and Winter. Clearer skies and less haze. Spot metering on the moon and playing with exposure comp. Remote or delayed shutter. Focus on infinity. And remember that things are moving even if 240,000 mi away. And why do people shoot the moon? Because it’s easier said than done. Good luck.
May 31, 2023 10:09:00 #
Moon light is reflected sunlight and requires daylight exposures. Clouds and the atmosphere can impact exposures too.
My moon rig is a solid tripod, focal length 500mm to 600mm, shutter speed at least 1/60 or faster. Possible exposures: ISO 200, 1/200-1/250, f11. And then bracket your exposures. Use a cable release or a self timer to minimize any movements or vibrations. This assumes little ambient light is present.
Sometimes the spot meter reading will work for setting exposures, or maybe the highlight one too. If you cannot set your camera to manual exposure, use exp comp--minus 5 or 6 and see if that works.
My moon rig is a solid tripod, focal length 500mm to 600mm, shutter speed at least 1/60 or faster. Possible exposures: ISO 200, 1/200-1/250, f11. And then bracket your exposures. Use a cable release or a self timer to minimize any movements or vibrations. This assumes little ambient light is present.
Sometimes the spot meter reading will work for setting exposures, or maybe the highlight one too. If you cannot set your camera to manual exposure, use exp comp--minus 5 or 6 and see if that works.
May 31, 2023 10:18:15 #
May 31, 2023 10:39:23 #
DaveyDitzer
Loc: Western PA
Rhare wrote:
I can never capture the moon as it looks. Any suggestions?
faster shutter speeds, smaller aperture, a tripod and turn off auto ISO
May 31, 2023 10:45:16 #
This is probably the most common misunderstanding in astrophotography.
The moon is a DAYLIGHT OBJECT!!!
Just think about that. You may be standing in the dark, but the moon is in full sunshine. So expose accordingly. 1/125 or 1/250 second at f/4 or f/8 are good starting points.
A full moon is a little brighter than partial phases--realize that the "side" of a ball from your earth location is side lite, so compensate accordingly.
As to the white ball results; they are overexposed, because you fooled yourself that it was a night photograph, so you overexpose. And the camera responds with an overexposed image. Remember the only things in the dark are you and the camera. The subject (the moon) is in full, bright sunlight.
The moon is a DAYLIGHT OBJECT!!!
Just think about that. You may be standing in the dark, but the moon is in full sunshine. So expose accordingly. 1/125 or 1/250 second at f/4 or f/8 are good starting points.
A full moon is a little brighter than partial phases--realize that the "side" of a ball from your earth location is side lite, so compensate accordingly.
As to the white ball results; they are overexposed, because you fooled yourself that it was a night photograph, so you overexpose. And the camera responds with an overexposed image. Remember the only things in the dark are you and the camera. The subject (the moon) is in full, bright sunlight.
May 31, 2023 11:36:31 #
Longshadow wrote:
Maybe because they want their own photographs?
And the average photographer can’t get above the atmosphere.
May 31, 2023 11:51:14 #
keywest305
Loc: Baltimore Md.
Rhare wrote:
I can never capture the moon as it looks. Any suggestions?
It's bright so lowest iso.
May 31, 2023 12:37:57 #
JFCoupe
Loc: Kent, Washington
You can check You Tube for information and videos on this topic.
Keep in mind that the moon is reflecting the sunlight and is very bright when full in a cloudless sky. If using Aperture priority metering the dark sky will override the moon brightness and the moon details will be overwhelmed.
My approach includes the following.
1. Tripod really makes a difference
2. Turn off image stabilization features on you camera/lens or combination.
3. Use manual settings for aperture and exposure
4. Set ISO at 640 or 800 for a start, 400 may be okay as well
5. Set aperture at f8 for a starting point
6. Set shutter to 1/400
7. Take a shot and review. Adjust shutter speed up or down 1/3 or 1/2 stop and try another shot.
You will probably try a variety of aperture and shutter speed combinations to get the detail of the moon surface that you want. Experiment and have fun. Share an image or two.
Keep in mind that the moon is reflecting the sunlight and is very bright when full in a cloudless sky. If using Aperture priority metering the dark sky will override the moon brightness and the moon details will be overwhelmed.
My approach includes the following.
1. Tripod really makes a difference
2. Turn off image stabilization features on you camera/lens or combination.
3. Use manual settings for aperture and exposure
4. Set ISO at 640 or 800 for a start, 400 may be okay as well
5. Set aperture at f8 for a starting point
6. Set shutter to 1/400
7. Take a shot and review. Adjust shutter speed up or down 1/3 or 1/2 stop and try another shot.
You will probably try a variety of aperture and shutter speed combinations to get the detail of the moon surface that you want. Experiment and have fun. Share an image or two.
May 31, 2023 12:55:16 #
Longshadow wrote:
Use spot metering on the moon, daylight setting.
Averaging looks at the WHOLE scene, tries to expose for the "dark" and turns the moon into a solid white ball.
Tripod helps.
Averaging looks at the WHOLE scene, tries to expose for the "dark" and turns the moon into a solid white ball.
Tripod helps.
Or, just rotate the dials for shutter speed and exposure until you see a "perfect" moon on the screen. Using manual mode of course.
May 31, 2023 12:57:21 #
Rhare wrote:
I can never capture the moon as it looks. Any suggestions?
I thought you might enjoy these!
May 31, 2023 13:09:07 #
Stardust wrote:
A really, really large net and a really, really long rope?
Sorry, the devil made me write that.
Sorry, the devil made me write that.
You beat me to it. Haha. We must share the same devil.
May 31, 2023 13:42:00 #
All good advice, I would emphasize the tripod for a couple of reasons, it is stable and it allows you the time to adjust exposure settings to dial in an exposure that works best. The closer the moon is to the horizon, the more atmosphere you are shooting through which can affect sharpness as well.
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