Taking (good) pictures of the moon
See also Noel Richardson's page, from whence I got the idea for the portrait mode.
The Astronomy 1010 semester project is to take pictures of the phases of the moon (excluding new), plus recording data about the picture.
Taking a good picture of the moon is actually a bit more challenging than it sounds, so I've set up this page of tips. We're not looking for perfection; my own camera is a 3.2 megapixel model with a 3x zoom, and the moon doesn't come out well under even the best of circumstances.
The Camera:
- Use a digital camera rather than a film camera; digital cameras let you see how the picture came out immediately. That said, if you're really good at using a film camera we have no objections.
- Cellphones are terrible for this sort of thing. Don't use your cell phone camera.
- If you do not have access to a digital camera, we recommend you make a detailed drawing of the moon as you see it.
- The Digital Aquarium (390 Student Center) has a small number of digital still cameras they loan out on a three-day basis, with a required workshop. You may also need to register in advance.
General Shooting Tips:
- Zoom in all the way. The moon is comparatively tiny.
- Use the image size possible (you can cut out just the moon later).
- Include a foreground object (building, tree, a friend) in the picture.
- Remember to record the time, weather and altitude (using your quadrant) on the form in the lab book.
Daytime pictures:
- There should be no further problems.
- Note that nearly all of these phases can be taken during the daytime.
Nighttime pictures:
The problem with nighttime pictures is that the moon is very small and very bright, and the sky is very large and very dark. Cameras set to automatic will see all the blackness and horribly overexpose the moon, such that you can't see anything on the moon's surface.
- If your camera is fully automatic: Try either including another bright object in your picture, or point at a street lamp and hold the shutter down halfway until the camera stops adjusting. Then, still holding the button, point at the moon and press the button down the rest of the way.
- If you can use shooting modes: Set your camera to a daytime mode like portrait mode. Night modes won't work; remember, the moon is very bright. If that doesn't work, try the above advice as well.
- If you can use manual settings: Set focus at infinity. Start with an F-stop/aperture of around 4, and a shutter speed of about 1/400 of a second, and/or play around until you get something that looks good.
- You may also have more luck on hazy or slightly cloudy nights, when the moon illuminates the sky and fools the camera.
The manual settings were taken from J. Andrzej Wrotniak's page (http://www.wrotniak.net/photo/moon/index.html)