Full Moon Photography Tips – Best Settings for Stunning Shots 🌕📸
Share
Why Photograph the Full Moon?
The full moon is bright, detailed, and accessible—no telescope required. Craters, maria, and terminator textures pop with the right exposure. It’s a perfect gateway into astrophotography and a reliable subject for growing your portfolio or social content.
Best Time to Shoot
- Day −1 / +1 around full moon: better contrast than the exact full moon night.
- Golden hour: after sunset or before sunrise adds warm tones.
- Low on the horizon: compose with cityscapes, trees, or mountains for scale.
Essential Gear
- Camera: DSLR or mirrorless with Manual mode.
- Lens: Telephoto 200mm+ for close-ups; wide lens for storytelling frames.
- Tripod: Sturdy legs = sharper images.
- Remote/timer: Reduce shake; consider electronic shutter.
Best Camera Settings (Moon as a bright subject)
Rule of thumb: Treat the moon like daylight—expose for the bright surface, not the night sky.
| Setting | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Mode | Manual (M) | Full control over exposure |
| ISO | 100–200 | Clean, low-noise detail |
| Aperture | f/8 – f/11 | Lens sweet spot, crisp craters |
| Shutter | 1/125 – 1/250 s | Freeze motion; avoid blur |
| Focus | Manual on the moon’s edge | AF can hunt; edges are contrasty |
| White Balance | Daylight or Auto | Natural tones; tweak in edit |
| Stabilization | Tripod; turn IBIS/IS off on tripod | Prevents micro-shake artifacts |
Composition Tips
- Foreground storytelling: Bridges, skylines, wind turbines—anchor the scene.
- Rule of thirds: Place the moon off-center for balance.
- Bracketing: Shoot a darker frame for the moon and a brighter frame for the landscape; blend later.
- Apps & planning: Use moon-tracking apps to line up foregrounds days in advance.
Post-Processing Workflow
- Tone: Pull highlights slightly; add contrast to reveal texture.
- Clarity/sharpening: Moderate sharpening; avoid halos.
- Color: Correct any green/magenta cast; keep it natural.
- Blend: If you bracketed, blend moon and landscape exposures carefully.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overexposure: Washed-out surface = lost crater detail.
- Too high ISO: Grain hides fine texture.
- Autofocus only: AF can miss—always verify at 100% zoom.
- Stabilization left on (on tripod): Can introduce blur—turn it off.
Smartphone Quick Settings (Bonus)
No camera? Try this:
- Use a small telephoto clip-on lens if available.
- Manual camera app: set ISO 25–50, shutter 1/250s, tap-to-focus on the moon and lock exposure.
- Brace the phone or use a mini tripod; use timer or remote.
Next Steps
Try these settings at the next full moon and share your results with #MoonPhotography and #Astrophotography. For meteor showers, see our guide: Meteor Shower Photography – Fast Settings.