How to Photograph the Moon - Equipment, camera settings & top tips

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo moon landings I thought I’d show you how to take a really easy picture of the moon.
www.karltayloreducation.com/m...
In this video I show you the equipment, techniques and camera settings for getting the best moon photos. You can also find my top 4 simple tips for moon photography in the link above.
When photographing the moon, there are a few key things to consider. I explain the best time to photograph the moon and also show you how to check the lunar cycle. You’ll also see what equipment I use, including my lens, tripod and shutter release cable. I also share the settings I used to photograph the moon and share some tips for reducing camera shake.
You can read more about the Apollo moon landings and the science and challenges of moon photography in this blog post:
www.karltayloreducation.com/s...
We’ll also have a Hasselblad technical expect joining us for a live talk show later this month and he’ll be bringing one of the moon cameras! Don’t miss out, read about that here:
www.karltayloreducation.com/l...
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For photography training, competitions, downloads, photography brand discounts and live shows check out www.karltayloreducation.com

[@bird271828]

Karl, you have a gift that not everyone has. You explain things very well. You are one of the best professors I have seen.

[@Z_EOS]

Do not forget to turn of image stabilisation when your gear sits on a tripod 😉

[@NinhLyUK]

Great tutorial as always!

[@leemacgillivray1490]

Thanks for this, Karl. Precise and clear video.

[@brianroberts5740]

Great job. Thank you for mentioning your settings. Many, most don't say a peep. Nice shots.

[@JGZphotography]

Well, no problem here and handheld for the perfect shot detailed moon shot. Used a Canon 1DX2 with a Sigma 60-600mm @1200 (2xTLC) @ f/13, ISO 320, at 1/500 sec. Mirror was unlocked, Importantly the quality of the Sigma 60-600 OS really locked the image steady, even better than my Canon 400mm ISii with the 2X TLC. Of course, a tripod is recommended if you cannot physically handhold the camera. While there are variations to the camera settings, experimentation of the exposure triangle is important for best results.

[@jwp2166]

Thanks. Very helpful. You are one of the best photography teachers on You Tube.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Very kind thank you.

[@evaeriksson9950]

Nice tutorial! Would be awesome to see you do one of shooting stars and one of fireworks! 😁😁✊✊

[@estacao-altojardim7741]

Great video! beautiful shots...!!!!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Noealz]

I've tried shooting the moon a few times and failing each lol - nice tips man

[@Gundolf300]

Thanks for the tips! Would love to se a similar video for shooting stars!

[@InfectedChris]

They can be so random unless there's a decent shower going on. Long exposures can give you those streaks, but it really helps to have some good luck!

[@gewglesux]

Great Job Karl!!! Very good information here.... Can't wait to try this! anybody here use that App? Thank you.

[@thdcinema]

Love that manfrotto geared head, perhaps a product review for a future video? great video, cheers.

[@gewglesux]

Dont think i have ever heard of a geared head before....

[@Anthobro456]

Thank u karl. Just did a huge night shift the other night

[@susieczellar4580]

Thank you so much for a great and informative tutorial. It's so helpful the way you teach. I have one question, are there similarities in settings for fireworks, lightning and shooting the moon? These three areas I have yet to master with any bit of confidence. Thank you for your tutorials.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Hi Susie, no settings for fireworks will require exposure times of 10secs to 30secs for best results.

[@POLLOTROM]

How can I photograph the moon with other things like tree, buildings etc.. a photograph as we see it with our own eyes?

[@GraphiteOnPaperWorks]

I have one more pro tip. Shoot the moon while the thinner clouds are still passing over. This will make the clouds glow in the shot, and more colors will appear (e.g. blue, violet, greenish tint, etc.). This will get rid of the plain black background.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Yes but this will also reduce contrast and detail on the moon itself.

[@sergiofialhophotography]

Hi Karl! What would be the difference between photographing a waxing gibbous or waning gibbous moon? Great video!

[@wisegal65]

Wow! very informative, Thank you. What lens would you recomed for the Canon T7i not really expensive and whats your opinion on the Canon T7i? Thanks in advance for the help.

[@crowe73]

A T7i is a very nice camera for the price. The settings that I use were f11, Shutter speed 1/125, ISO 100 - 400 with a 400 mm zoom lens. I had some good luck with those settings. Hope this helps and good luck.

[@EmadDesign]

Thank you very much for the great video, but we can also get a great shot for the full moon before its completely rise in the sky, it will look yellowish

[@MrHookshanks]

Hi Carl, why are using 200 ISO for a daylight shot? I usually shoot at 64 ISo, f9 & 1/250. Handheld.

[@Sreybk]

Nice Pretty Green shirt.

[@DrgnSpawn]

And don't forget to set your Vibration Reduction to off while mounted on a tripod.

[@Lucy-dk5cz]

DrgnSpawn My lens has vibration reduction but I don’t :/

[@jaykay6340]

DrgnSpawn may be a stupid question, but I’m new to photography, why would you want your vibration reduction off while mounted?

[@doseofgaming5863]

@@jaykay6340 probably to save battery power but I have my camera plugged into a separate power source

[@lawrencebeck4777]

Incorrect blanket statement. Image stabilization detects camera movement and corrects it. IS turned off is recommended for using short focal length lenses due to weak magnification of these lenses. With super telephoto lenses, such as a 400 with stacked 1.4 and 2X teleconverters there is constant vibration due to extreme magnification, especially when using an m43 camera with it's 2X magnification factor. IS on is the ony way you'll get sharp images with extreme telephoto lenses on a tripod due to the Image Stabilization detecting the movement caused by the lens' extreme magnification.​ ​​

[@clyse88]

i for real need a better mount or get my tracker involved. whenever i tighten my ball head to camera moved

[@allanaxe6781]

And then stacking in photoshop ? :)

[@Mrq330]

You said stop down from 250 to 125 and close down from f8 to f5.6 to use better optics from the lens. I’m not following, could you explain? Thanks!

[@VisualEducationStudio]

I said I was going to take my shutter down to 125th which is a stop and I'm going from f5.6 to f8 to use the better optics of the lens (5:03).

[@scotthullinger9955]

Short version - Use the biggest telephoto lens you can manage. Secure your rig on a tripod. Use a cable release. Expose at ISO 100 at any sensible equivalent to f/16 @ 1/125th of a second.

[@VisualEducationStudio]

And wait for a clear night, and lately the atmospheric conditions have been excellent especially with less air pollution thanks to the lockdown.

[@scotthullinger9955]

@@VisualEducationStudio - Oh yes, no doubt about it.

[@robcompton6099]

Also, take 200+ shots and use image stacking software

[@Bongo2k]

Why were you not using your H6D?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

This was a video for photographers in general and most of them would not likely be using a H6D, in addition I don't have a 400mm lens for the H6.

[@williamconnell6541]

Where's the metering mode info and white balance info? i would think spot metering and white balance doesn't matter if shooting RAW or around 3500K.Nice images though Karl.

[@monicagraham4133]

Normally, I want another subject with it, too. How about 300mm?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

Yes or even 400mm if you can.

[@lonniepaulson7031]

Why not use a crop sensor or four thirds?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

I haven't got one

[@aandm7772]

Can I use a 35mm 1.8 or a 28-70mm? Thats all i have :(:(:(:(

[@VisualEducationStudio]

No. Well you can but you will have a very small moon.

[@daveberry2177]

do you ever get a cold moon head

[@carlusdarienus]

that tripod can probably carry a tank

[@SkyToddler]

can i do this with 85mm

[@VisualEducationStudio]

No not really the moon will be too small to really see any good details on the craters and mountains etc.

[@jmiscischia]

Why not using the Hasselblad system? You'll get more resolution no?

[@VisualEducationStudio]

I don't have a 400mm lens for the Hasselblad!

[@pichdidi]

so wring. try, but horrible result

[@shalahcarolshaffron7299]

Huh! Sorry, would so love to understand photography

[@Sertao2013]

The moon is not moving ,the earth is moving at about 1,000 miles per hour .

[@JackEnriqueC]

bro...

[@KevyB.]

🤦🏽‍♂️

[@trothlik]

Rubish. Waste of time. So i cant do good picture. Have no app no 400mm lens...