How to photograph the moon

How to Photograph the Moon

Annika Jansen

How do you photograph the moon?

The moon is a fascinating subject in photography. Whether it’s a full moon shining brightly in the sky or a mysterious crescent floating just above the horizon, the moon offers endless possibilities for beautiful images.

But how do you capture the details of the lunar surface razor-sharp, without your photo becoming overexposed or blurry? That’s what we will explain here.

What equipment do you need for moon photography?

To photograph the moon, it is useful to use the right equipment. Because the moon is far away and appears relatively small in the frame, a good camera setup helps to capture as many details as possible.

Useful to use for moon photography:

  • Camera with manual settings: A DSLR or mirrorless camera with the ability to manually set shutter speed, aperture, and ISO.
  • Telephoto lens (at least 200mm, preferably 300mm or more): The longer the focal length, the bigger and more detailed the moon appears. A 600mm lens often delivers the best results.
  • Sturdy tripod: Prevents motion blur, especially at long focal lengths.
  • Remote shutter or self-timer: Reduces vibrations when pressing the shutter button.

If you want to capture an impressive moonrise or a combination with a landscape, then a wide-angle lens can also be interesting.

Camera settings for sharp moon photos

The right camera settings help you capture the moon properly. Because the moon is brightly lit by the sun, it’s important to balance the exposure correctly.

Experiment with the settings below to achieve the right exposure:

Extra tips:

  • Use spot metering to adjust the exposure specifically to the moon. This prevents the moon from becoming overexposed due to a background that is too bright.
  • Turn off image stabilization when working with a tripod. This prevents unnecessary micro-movements.
  • Take multiple shots with different settings (bracketing) to find the best exposure.

Timing and planning

The moment you photograph the moon has a major influence on the final result. The position of the moon, the brightness of the sky and the environmental conditions determine how detailed and atmospheric your shot will be.

Best moments to photograph the moon

During the blue hour (just after sunset or before sunrise). The sky is still deep blue and details of the moon show better than in a pitch-black sky.

At full moon. This is the most popular moment, because the moon appears bright and large in the sky. However, the craters can show less contrast due to the direct lighting.

First and last quarter. The moon then shows beautiful shadows along the terminator (the boundary between light and dark), giving craters and mountains extra depth.

Supermoon. When the moon is closer to Earth and appears up to 14% larger and brighter than usual.

Useful apps for moon planning

Use apps such as Photopills, The Photographer’s Ephemeris or Stellarium to plan the exact moon phase and moonrise and moonset times. This allows you to perfectly position the moon in your composition.

Moon phases

Before you start moon photography, it is important to understand the basics of the different moon phases. The sun, moon and Earth constantly circle around each other, creating four different moon phases that together last 29.53 days. The rule is: the more sunlight falls on the moon, the larger the part of the moon we can see. The moon does not emit light. We see a reflection of sunlight on the moon’s surface. Over the course of a month, all these moon phases occur at least once.

We begin with the new moon. During this phase, the moon is positioned between Earth and the sun. The side of the moon that we can see from Earth is not illuminated by sunlight at that moment. As a result, the moon is almost invisible. After this new moon, we gradually start to see more of the moon, until we see a so-called waxing moon.

We then see a crescent moon, which only increases in surface area until the second phase: the first quarter. At that point, we see exactly half of the moon. When the Earth is then between the sun and the moon, we see a full moon. After the full moon, we start to see less and less of the lunar surface again. We eventually see the third phase: the last quarter. After this, the moon moves between Earth and the sun again, and the cycle begins anew with the new moon.

This cycle, also called the synodic period, repeats every 29.53 days. On the right side you will find a diagram of the different moon phases.

When you go to photograph the moon, it is important to know which moon phase to expect. Through this link, you can find out which phase the moon is currently in.

Composition and location

The moon by itself is already a beautiful subject, but a strong composition can elevate your photos to a higher level. By cleverly combining the moon with landscape elements or buildings, you create impressive images with more depth and context.

The moon in combination with landscapes or buildings

  • Use a foreground object – Place the moon behind a silhouette of a tree, mountain, or building to create a dramatic effect.
  • Photograph the moon at moonrise or moonset – When the moon is low on the horizon, it appears larger and the sky often takes on a warm color. This creates atmospheric images.
  • Add scale – By placing a person in the composition, for example, you emphasize the size of the moon.

Big or small? Choose the right focal length

  • Wide-angle lens (24mm–50mm): Suitable for moon landscapes where the moon is part of a broader composition.
  • Telephoto lens (200mm–600mm): Perfect for photographing the moon close-up and capturing details such as craters and lunar seas.

Post-processing: Bring out the best in your moon photos

Post-processing plays an important role in enhancing the details and contrasts in your moon photos. Even with the right settings and exposure, photos straight out of the camera can sometimes look a bit flat. With a few simple adjustments, you can bring out the structures and textures of the lunar surface more clearly.

Post-processing tips

  • Adjust exposure and contrast: Increase contrast to better separate the dark and light parts of the moon. This makes craters and shadows clearer.
  • Enhance sharpness and details: Use the “Sharpen” or “Clarity” function in Lightroom or Photoshop to bring out fine details on the lunar surface.
  • Adjust color temperature: The moon can sometimes have a blue, yellow or orange tint depending on the atmosphere and lighting. Adjust the white balance to create the desired mood.
  • Apply noise reduction: If you shot with a higher ISO, some noise reduction can help create a cleaner image without loss of detail.
  • Combine layers (stacking): Advanced photographers use multiple exposures of the moon and combine them in software such as Photoshop to gain extra detail.

Special lunar phenomena to photograph

Blue Moon – This is the second full moon within a single calendar month. The moon is not actually blue, but it is a special chance to shoot extra full-moon photos.

Blood Moon (total lunar eclipse) – During a total lunar eclipse, the moon turns red because sunlight is refracted by Earth’s atmosphere. This creates a dramatic and mystical effect.

Supermoon – A supermoon appears when the moon is at its closest point to Earth, making it appear up to 14% larger and brighter than usual. This is the moment to capture moon photos with lots of detail.

Lunar eclipse – During a partial lunar eclipse, the Earth moves between the sun and the moon, causing part of the moon to disappear into shadow. This creates a unique contrast in the moon photo.