A couple of years ago, I wrote a post on how to take photographs of the moon: Moon Photography: How To Take Photos of the Moon—Handy Tip. Since then, I have learned to still take good moon photos with fewer camera settings on my Canon EOS 20D SLR. You can still follow my previous instructions, but you may also learn from me that you do not need to do all that. Note that these instructions are for taking a close-up photo of the moon. Also note that these instructions are based on my Canon EOS 20D SLR and Canon EF100-400mm F4.5-5.6L IS USM Lens.
EQUIPMENT
Camera: SLR Type [Canon, Nikon, Other]
Lens: Minimum 75-300mm or 100-400mm
Other: Tripod or Other Stable Support
CAMERA SETTINGS
[1] I usually take all my moon photos in P mode, or so-called Programmed Auto mode. Or use Tv mode as per the previous post. However, over time I found that there was not much difference, as I usually rushed to the full moon scene and forgot to change from P to Tv. In P mode the camera supposedly chooses the right Tv and Av settings for your scenario.
[2] The most important setting to change on the camera is the Metering mode—change to Partial Metering, a symbol that looks like an outline of a circle. Interesting note: I noticed that on the point-and-shoot cameras, the metering mode is different; it is called Spot Metering, and it shows as a filled small circle.
[3] Find the moon. Ensure to place your camera on a stable surface and point at the moon. Needless to say, I learned that it does not have to be a tripod. Position the camera on the table or top of the car, and even better, if you have stable hands, just rest your elbows on your knees. I find that it just takes too much time to set the tripod out.
[4] Next, once you have positioned the camera, extend the lens to the maximum focal length, 300mm or 400mm.
[5] Ensure that ISO is set to ISO200. A higher ISO, means more grain in the photo.
[6] Ensure that the AF point - focal point is at the center of the viewfinder.
[7] Depending on the day, some days the moon is really bright and sometimes it is less bright, but remember, it is still bright. Therefore, shoot a test photo and see how bright the moon is. If it is really bright and you do not see any moon contours, adjust the Exposure Compensation. For a brighter image, scroll to the left, and for a darker image, scroll to the right—you know the drill.
You may want to try this:
Additional tip: When it is really cold and you have the moon visible from your window, then take the photograph from the window. If the window is dirty, set your camera lens to manual and focus manually. Your lens will be focusing on the moon, so all the dirty stuff on the window will be practically invisible. The above photo was taken from my office window.
Some of My Successful Moon Event Photos
The Biggest Moon of 2009 - Not Really
Moon Photography: Last Lunar Eclipse Before 2010
Moon Photography: Aug 28, 2007 Lunar Eclipse Over Aurora, ON
For other moon photos, just search in the search box with the keyword: moon
~ Anna
Moon, Aurora, Ontario, Canada, February 08, 2009 08:48 PM EST File / Camera Settings below
EQUIPMENT
Camera: SLR Type [Canon, Nikon, Other]
Lens: Minimum 75-300mm or 100-400mm
Other: Tripod or Other Stable Support
CAMERA SETTINGS
[1] I usually take all my moon photos in P mode, or so-called Programmed Auto mode. Or use Tv mode as per the previous post. However, over time I found that there was not much difference, as I usually rushed to the full moon scene and forgot to change from P to Tv. In P mode the camera supposedly chooses the right Tv and Av settings for your scenario.
[2] The most important setting to change on the camera is the Metering mode—change to Partial Metering, a symbol that looks like an outline of a circle. Interesting note: I noticed that on the point-and-shoot cameras, the metering mode is different; it is called Spot Metering, and it shows as a filled small circle.
[4] Next, once you have positioned the camera, extend the lens to the maximum focal length, 300mm or 400mm.
[5] Ensure that ISO is set to ISO200. A higher ISO, means more grain in the photo.
[6] Ensure that the AF point - focal point is at the center of the viewfinder.
Additional tip: When it is really cold and you have the moon visible from your window, then take the photograph from the window. If the window is dirty, set your camera lens to manual and focus manually. Your lens will be focusing on the moon, so all the dirty stuff on the window will be practically invisible. The above photo was taken from my office window.
Some of My Successful Moon Event Photos
The Biggest Moon of 2009 - Not Really
Moon Photography: Last Lunar Eclipse Before 2010
Moon Photography: Aug 28, 2007 Lunar Eclipse Over Aurora, ON
For other moon photos, just search in the search box with the keyword: moon
"Knowledge is of no value unless you put it into practice."
~ by Anton Chekhov, Russian playwright and master of the modern short story, 1860-1904
~ Anna
Comments
The moon is full tonight - but the below zero temps are not beaconing me to go shoot it. Perhaps next month when spring is a bit closer.
Have a good week!
Kathy
Hope you're having a great week.
~JD
I can see you and Bob and I all snapping away at the same time. :D
The dirty window/manual focus is a gem of wisdom too. It's hard to have a clean window with all the snow melting going on.
Hugs, JJ
I must congratulate you for this lecture - it is simple and well written (any photograph illiterate, such as myself, is able to understand and learn from this post)!
Not to mention that it is rather encouraging! Congrats, darling :D!
I hope all is well with you!
Cheers
Great tip here and moon is never easy to photograph!
JoAnn'Holland
I missed the full moon, as we had clouds. Oh well, the one day before almost look like full. Yes I don't like cold weather too, so I take them all from my window. Hope all is well. Anna :) BTW I liked your last dried ice photo.
Have a good week girl! Anna :)
"So my dear Max, will I will see some moon photos from you too, lol, no pressure. Kidding aside, thanks for your kind comment."
LOL LOL LOL Anna...you kill me!! Don't mention it, girl!
Thanks!
Cheers
Anna :)
You know why the bats are near your head? It is because they sense your movement and know that moving animals stir up insects. So they swoop down just above you eating the bugs! They can come within inches with such complete control. As I said, I have always loved them, but understand the aversion some have.
Last night (or two nights ago?) it was full moon and I wanted to photograph it. I am fortunate to have moon light through my windows at nights. :)
Take Care,
Peter
I'm bookmarking this post for reference and appreciate the great tip's! :D
Thanks for the explanation about the bats, funny in the old days if one did not know the scientific explanation, the answers were always hard to believe.
Just wanted to share mine too. You know my grandparents always said that is going to rain when barn swallow fly low. It was years later I found out that when it is going to rain, there is more moisture in the air, bugs wings get moist and they fly low, so does the birds.
Will it is always nice to learn from you something new. Anna :)
i could catch your blog every time i feel depressed. haha!! but seriously i will
oh by the way! thanks for the comment... just wondering how did you find my blog... actually i am promoting my blog... and i feel great knowing someone has read my poems... hope you visit my blog again and for a favor... if you can recommend my blog to your friends thanks...
Tell you the truth, I have no idea how I found you, may be it met to be, lol. Probably you made a comment on the post I subscribed too, and then your name popped in my email, and it looked interesting, so I visited. Ususally that is how I make my first time visit, okay sometimes...
Thanks for commenting, and hey if you visit my bunch of blogger friends, you can get some nice blogging party going...Good luck with blogging and welcome to the world of fun.
Anna :)