How to Photograph a Lunar Eclipse

In this tutorial I share everything you need to get started photographing Lunar eclipses. There are also terms, blood moon, superman, wolf moon, worm moon etc.

The first lunar eclipse in 3 years in the United States is March 13-14 and this is a blood-worm moon. A worm moon, wolf moon etc is based on the time of the year. A blood moon is when the moon with turn red due to a total eclipse in the Earths Umbra. A super moon is when the moon is closer to the earth and thus appears larger.

Here is one of the many photos I made of a previous lunar eclipse. Watch the video for much more information.

Introduction

Unlike a solar eclipse, you don’t need specialized gear to view or photograph a lunar eclipse. You can use your naked eye, binoculars, a camera, or a mobile phone without special filters [00:06], [00:20].

What is a Lunar Eclipse?

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth moves between the Sun and Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon [00:52]. The moon turns red due to the Earth’s sunrises and sunsets  [01:25].

Equipment

• Tripod: Essential for stable shots. The video shows both a more expensive Gitzo tripod with a Really Right Stuff head [02:25] and a more affordable and portable Vanguard V3 carbon fiber tripod [03:20].
• Cameras and Lenses: You can use various cameras, including smartphones, DSLRs, and mirrorless cameras [02:02]. Longer lenses (e.g., 400mm) are recommended for better zoom [06:20]. Lens extenders can be used to increase focal length [06:36].
• Remote Release: Use a remote release or self-timer to avoid camera shake [08:15].

Camera Settings

• Focus: Use autofocus initially, then switch to manual focus [09:03].
• Exposure Triangle: Understand the relationship between aperture, shutter speed, and ISO [09:36].
  • Shutter Speed: Keep it around 1/125th of a second to avoid motion blur [11:37].
  • Aperture: Use the lens’s “sweet spot” for sharpness [11:58].
  • ISO: Adjust to get the correct exposure, balancing noise [12:14].
  • I would also recommend bracketing your shots.

Advanced Techniques

For sharper images, consider using a sky tracker to move with the moon [13:06].

Composition

Consider different shots, such as close-ups, wider shots with star trails, or including foreground elements or even a sequence [13:34].

Location

Choose a dark location away from city lights with a clear sky [14:12].

Post-Processing

I have made a tutorial on processing lunar eclipse photos in Photoshop and Lightroom [15:00].

How to photograph a Solar Eclipse

Links to gear used in this tutorial.

Tripods: Small one: 

Large One: 

Large Ballhead: 

Extension tube Sony: 

Digital Smart Telescopes: 

Tracking Camera Mounts: 

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Thanks

Colin

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