Moon Shot

Moonshot
Getting photographs of the moon is one of those things that is deceptively easy. Click the next button to learn more!

Getting photographs of the moon is one of those things that is deceptively easy. Click the next button to learn more!

This is what happens to a lot of people's images of the moon. It's a result of trying to get a shot with the camera on full auto. What's happening is that the camera's light meter is taking readings across the entire scene, then it tries to balance

This is what happens to a lot of people's images of the moon. It's a result of trying to get a shot with the camera on full auto. What's happening is that the camera's light meter is taking readings across the entire scene, then it tries to balance it out. Leaving you with an overexposed moon. Here the camera selected F-5.6 at 1/30th of a second with an ISO of 3200 (which is why it appears grainy).

Instead, try using full manual mode. By taking control of the settings, I was able to properly expose just the moon. To do this, I changed my metering mode to Spot Metering. I also set my ISO to 400 to increase my shutter speed and reduce the chance

Instead, try using full manual mode. By taking control of the settings, I was able to properly expose just the moon. To do this, I changed my metering mode to Spot Metering. I also set my ISO to 400 to increase my shutter speed and reduce the chance of camera shake. I stuck with an aperture of F-5.6 which gave me a shutter speed of 1/500th of a second. Also, with this speed, there is no need for a tripod.

On this last one, I decided to have a little fun. I didn't change any of the exposure settings, but I did change the white balance. To give it more of a harvest moon type feel, I set the white balance to the Shade setting. This warms the image givin

On this last one, I decided to have a little fun. I didn't change any of the exposure settings, but I did change the white balance. To give it more of a harvest moon type feel, I set the white balance to the Shade setting. This warms the image giving the moon a orange-yellow look.