nana727 Loc: TN

We are having a little family competition this weekend learning to use Nikons off the automatic settngs. I am behind on the learning curve and need some advice. I have a Nikon D7100 with a 18/200 lens as does my husband..I do have a tripod. We will be shooting at the"golden" hour when the full moon rises in TN around 8 pm Friday evening (in the dark countryside).There might me a treeline to compose with.Wearher forecast indicates clear skies. I doubt we will have time to photogragh the eclipse due to our schedules unfortunately. Any pointers would be appreciated
Thanks in advance ..

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Hi Nana. That is going to be a tough shot. You can either get the trees in focus or the Moon. Also the Moon right now is very bright. So it will be hard to get the tree line in focus. If you are trying to get a good moon shot, wait until it is at it's highest point. They will be less jusk between you and the Moon.:)

Here is a link to my try last night.:) Remember the Moon is lit by the Sun.:)
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-296596-1.html

nana727 Loc: TN

I am looking forward to seeing what this group comes up with to capture the event.

Tom Ford

Hey Nana,

The moon is tough to photograph with thru-the-lens metering. Shoot it at f16@ the number 1 over the ISO.

Example: f16@1/100 shutter speed

Tom

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

As Tom explains using the Sunny 16 rule is a great place to start and make adjustments from there.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

When shooting the moon DO NOT shoot it at it's highest point. Doing this gets you a yellowish moon with black skies. These shots look very average. Shoot the moon during the blue hour and you will get deep blue skies with a nice looking moon.

Find something like a tree to put the moon right on top of, or frame with an interesting background. There is a iDevice application called PhotoPills I use to know exactly where and what time the moon will be at a point in the sky. I will also tell me the blue hour, holden hour and all three twilights.

Below is an example of a moon shot high in the sky (Black Skies). And one shot during the blue hour, you get blue skies.

Of course you will need to use your tripod and a small aperture (large number) If you are far enough away from whatever you frame with the moon, they will both be in focus, if your not, put your background out of focus as little as possible. You should not need to go beyond 30 seconds in the blue hour, but you may want to use a cable release, or self timer at the least.

TheDman Loc: USA

Shot this last October. This was like 240mm, so remember you'll need a lot of reach if you want the moon to appear large in your shot.

(Download)

nana727 Loc: TN

These are awesome.Great work!

DesertRat71 Loc: Arizona

The 200mm will be your largest handicap and you'll want to crop in a little tighter in post processing. Make sure you go to "mirror up" mode before taking the shot. The key (as I learned half-way through the process) is to use spot metering on the moon itself. I used the 18-300mm Nikkor lens on my D7100 and this was my capture of the progressive blood moon last year:

http://outrider.darrows.org/lunareclipse2014

Indi Loc: L. I., NY, Palm Beach Cty when it's cold.

Darn. I had it all written out and lost the text. Oh, well. Here it is again.

You can take shots of the moon in focus, and then the tree line in focus.
In Photoshop Elements, or other program, you can merge the two images.
I'm sure one or more of us here would be happy to help but you must check "(store original)" when you upload your work.

ozmerelda Loc: Osprey, FL

Beautiful and thanks for sharing.
:) :) :)

smith934 Loc: Huntsville, Alabama

What do you find difficult about it? I use spot metering with my D800 & D7100 with no problem.

nana727 Loc: TN

Report on last nights photographs. We had a lot of fun . It was the most beautiful moon I have ever seen. However,I made a mess of my photographs. The red moon rising during the first hour took us all by suprise on how it would change our change our ISO settings. I quickly realized how much I have to learn. We had a beautiful little line of bare limb trees in front and a few small drifting clouds that could have made some dazzling photographs. I guess we get to practise and try again in September. The competition prize must go to the seasoned pro in our group, my dad. I think he is being kind by not showing me how good a job he did capturing the moment.