How To Plan & Photograph EPIC Moon Photos!

Over the years I've done many full moon photos and people often ask me how I photograph and plan these. In this video I explain you all about it by photographing moon in combination with the church tower of Rhenen in The Netherlands.
Feel free to ask any of your questions in the comments below. Also make sure to check out the little FAQ below with some questions answered.
Video Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
00:55 - Preparation: Circumstances & Gear
04:04 - Planning with Photopills & Google Maps
12:27 - Results
13:57 - Outro with more Photos & Examples
Photopills KZbin channel for much more guides:
/ @photopills
Little FAQ on the video:
Are these shots post processed?
Yes, the originals are mostly underexposed to expose for the highlights of the moon. So the shadows are brought up in postprocessing and the exposure is slightly changed. And some shots are cropped in a bit, which works well on the 61 Megapixels of my A7RV. Other than that, not much editing was done.
How do you have all this expensive gear?
I don't own the 600mm f/4. I borrowed it from Sony just for this shoot. I am a Sony Europe ambassador, so I have access to the gear :)
Can I do this with cheaper gear?
As mentioned in the video: All you need is a long lens. The camera actually doesn't matter that much. In fact: With crop sensors these shots are much easier, as the gear is lighter (and much cheaper). So yes, you can do this easily with budget gear, as long as you have a long lens :) Make sure you have a good tripod though! And use a remote! Because you get a lot of shake with a long lens.
How do you find locations?
You just have to be creative. Look around you every time you're in a car, train, bicycles or any form of transport. Look for high towers in your neighbourhood. Then check if you have open views from farmlands or mountains around.
I want to learn more!
That's cool! Also feel free to check out my postprocessing course (link below). And check out this KZbin channel for more guides. I'll be spending some more time on KZbin this year so feel free to drop recommendations in the comment section.
If you like the postprocessing in my photos, check out my Full Editing Course on Landscape Photography: www.edityourlandscapes.com
Gear used in this video:
Main camera: amzn.to/46pFQFu
The Big Lens: amzn.to/46vGWiW
Recommended Lens: amzn.to/48E9kB2
Extender: amzn.to/3rsOMem
KZbin Gear:
Camera: amzn.to/3NJm0ND
Lens: amzn.to/3JSIRoE
Connect with me:
Newsletter: bit.ly/albertdrosnews
Instagram: / albertdrosphotography
Facebook: / albertdrosphotography
Twitter: / albertdrosphoto

[@PhotoPills]

Amazing job Albert! You're better than me explaining how to use PhotoPills :P

[@AlbertDrosPhotography]

haha thanks my friend. But no one comes close to The Bard!

[@PhotoPills]

@AlbertDrosPhotography hahaha 😍

[@dyhrdmet]

I think he sold me on using PhotoPils

[@badgerspaw]

At last I think I understand how to use fotopills, thank you!

[@NiiRats]

Good Job! Like this video b/c I like to look at the full moon. 🌕😊 Helpful and Clear tips. 👍✨

[@tonnievanravestijn748]

Albert dankjewel voor de uitleg

[@AlbertDrosPhotography]

graag gedaan!

[@stephanjanssen2293]

This is some proper planning Albert, perfect job!

[@AlbertDrosPhotography]

thank you :)

[@FokkeBok]

Heel erg bedankt 🙏🙏🙏

[@soumikdatta09]

Excellent explanation & planning. Helps a lot. :)

[@LandscapesDronescapes]

Great work mate. Fantastic preparation. Stunning results!

[@salvirji]

Nicely explained video buddy. Was a nice watch.

[@AlbertDrosPhotography]

Thanks mate!

[@user-rw2jn3ni6m]

Well, done Albert. A very clear and detailed explaation👍👍

[@AlbertDrosPhotography]

Thank you!

[@peterericakaiser1717]

Thankyou, very interesting. I learned lots.

[@AlbertDrosPhotography]

Great to hear!

[@ahmetanak]

Smart calculation ✌️

[@MunnaanKhan]

Thank you Albert, I will use this knowledge for the best!

[@Nickporter17]

😢 so rad!!!

[@AlbertDrosPhotography]

but why the sad emoji :D

[@Nickporter17]

@@AlbertDrosPhotography lol I don't remember. Maybe a typo. Maybe it's just so beautiful I teared up. 🤷

[@keeleykirkendall7974]

Thanks!

[@luisquesan]

Nice video, I'm an usual moon photographer in tthis type of conditions but I wanted to ask you how do you recover the highlights because in all my photos with iso 1000 and longer tham 1/20 the moon usually is completly burnt, so do you take multiple exposures? or it's just one exposure and then you do your magic to correct that white burnt moon? Thanks!

[@AlbertDrosPhotography]

Like explained in the video: if you pick the right timing you will have enough ambient light to get it in one exposure. Always underexpose a bit so the moon is not blown out :)

[@robertadamson3099]

Outstanding as always, Albert! I love the tutorial on the PhotoPills in particular--something I haven't taken proper advantage of yet.

[@AlbertDrosPhotography]

Its a lot of fun, and very addicting :)

[@ieuyar]

Thanks a lot Albert! So insightful, I'll definitely use it in the next full moon! :)

[@AlbertDrosPhotography]

awesome!

[@Hsukhaybir]

Good job Albert! Thanks for the informations I’ve been using PhotoPills for a while and learned new something today .. do you use manual focus for these shots to get max DOF .. I find it somewhat challenging to use AF because if I focus on the subject the moon will be somewhat soft even at f8.

[@AlbertDrosPhotography]

The moon will never be 100% sharp. But if you stand far enough and stop down a bit, it's close. That's why I shoot at f14 on some of these.

[@StarScaperPhoto]

Nice video, well explained! And ofcourse, awesome results also 🙂.

[@AlbertDrosPhotography]

Thanks my friend. When are we going on some astro adventure again :D

[@StarScaperPhoto]

@@AlbertDrosPhotography rather sooner than later I hope! If the clouds allow and that full moon of yours is not in the way anymore that is 😁

[@williweden9317]

thanks Albert! I just need to buy the 600mm f4 GM :-)

[@AlbertDrosPhotography]

go go go :D

[@RICHARDWATSONPHOTO]

Great work Albert. Do you focus stack these to have the moon fully sharp or is one image ok? Something I've yet to try out

[@AlbertDrosPhotography]

I almost never do that actually. If you're shooting at 600mm+ it's difficult to focus stack because the moon is moving very fast. So you mostly want to close down the aperture a bit. Always focus on the foreground subject. The moon might be slightly out of focus, but the photo will look totally fine.

[@RICHARDWATSONPHOTO]

@@AlbertDrosPhotography thanks!! so it's a matter of the moon being 'acceptably' sharp? enjoy Scotland 👍🏻👍🏻

[@hoffotonl]

Maybe a stupid question. But will the height (position) of the photographer changing how you see the the moon. So if you stand on a high building instead of the road will the moon pass the church at another angle?

[@johnkreukniet4883]

Hallo Albert, Ik heb maar een 400mm dan toch iets dichter bij gaan dan die 1 km? Groetjes John

[@AlbertDrosPhotography]

ligt er ook aan hoe groot je de maan wil, hoe groot het gebouw op de voorgrond is etc. Je kunt op het eind een aantal shots zien met voorbeelden. Die van de kerk in Amsterdam is bv maar 450mm. Die van Zaltbommel nog niet eens.

[@keesko5740]

Canal = River ;)

[@AlbertDrosPhotography]

haha oops :D