Tips for Photographing the Moon

Whether your intent is to photograph the moon as the subject or as the background, these tips should help you next time you have your camera out.

Step 1: Tip #1

Use a telephoto lens to zoom in as much as you can on the moon.

If you don't have a telephoto lens, even just using a smartphone camera and a telescope can have great results.

This photo was taken by holding my phone against the eyepiece of a telescope.

Step 2: Tip #2

Although the moon is the brightest and most apparent at night, photos taken during twilight can be equally stunning.

Step 3: Tip #3

During a foggy or cloudy night, the light from the moon has a beautiful effect.

Step 4: Tip #4

Use the moon to attain a silhouette of an object, as I did here with a drone.

Step 5: Tip #5

Use the moon in the background during long exposure pictures.