jaredjacobson wrote:
I’m sure I don’t know all the reasons, but some common ones are the same as for anything else: pollution, haze, and humidity all smear the light and reduce contrast. So the moon may appear extra contrasty when it’s clear and dry. Dry atmosphere is one reason why the skies in the western US are so brilliant at night.
You’ll also notice that the moon is much softer and appears larger on the horizon than overhead because the light goes through much more atmosphere to reach you.
I think Jared gave a number of good answers. You have to have the same viewing conditions to compare two Moon phases, and the pictures have to be taken at the same location of the Moon in the sky and both at dark skies. Remember that as the Moon moves toward or from its Full phase, the amount of light coming to us changes. That in its own way will change our perception of contrast. If all of these are accounted for, then how the Moon looks will come i not play. I have enlarged and modified the contrast of the two photos below taken from:
Note that as the trailing edge of the Moon darkens, it does appear that there is a slight reduction in the bright areas on the Moon, as a percentage. That might affect you perception of it, but I'[m thinking it is that you have not compared the Moon under identical conidiations.
Just some thoughts. --Richard