The full moon has intrigued and mesmerised humankind for as long as has been recorded. Whatever draws you to it — its glow, its symbolism, or simply the challenge of capturing it — we can help you with the right skills, settings, and gear to photograph it at its best.
What Is a Full Moon?
A full moon is one of several phases the moon goes through each month. It occurs when the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun, causing the sun's light to fully illuminate the side of the moon facing us. The result is that perfectly round, brilliantly bright disc that dominates the night sky.
The full moon occurs approximately 15 days after the new moon. If you want to plan your shoot precisely, there are excellent apps and websites that can tell you not just the date of the next full moon, but the exact time it will be at its fullest — and even its position in the sky from your location.
Building Your Moon Photography Kit
High-resolution camera — A mirrorless camera is the ideal choice for moon photography. Larger sensors deliver better low-light performance and lower noise, and the high resolution means you can crop aggressively for a tighter moon shot without losing detail. Full manual controls are essential for dialling in the right exposure.
Telephoto lens — The moon is very far away, and a standard or wide-angle lens will render it as a tiny element in your frame. To make the moon the subject, you need reach — a lot of it. Browse our range of telephoto lenses and aim for at least 300mm, with 500mm or more giving you the best results. A teleconverter can extend your reach further, and cropping in post gives you additional flexibility if you're shooting high resolution.
Tripod — Nighttime photography demands a sturdy, reliable tripod. Even the slightest camera movement at long focal lengths will result in a blurry moon. A good tripod also makes it much easier to fine-tune your composition and hold your framing while you adjust settings.
Remote shutter release — When sharpness is everything, avoid touching the camera at all during capture. A remote shutter release — or your camera's built-in self-timer — eliminates the vibration caused by pressing the shutter button. Many modern cameras also support remote control via a smartphone app over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
Camera Settings for Full Moon Photography
The full moon is surprisingly bright — it's reflecting direct sunlight, after all. Many beginners make the mistake of treating it like a dark night scene and overexposing badly. Start with these settings and adjust from there:
- ISO: Start at ISO 100 for the lowest noise. Raise it only if necessary.
- Aperture: f/11–f/16 for maximum sharpness and surface detail.
- Shutter speed: 1/60s–1/125s is a good starting point, adjusting for brightness and focal length.
- Shoot in RAW: Gives you maximum flexibility in post-processing for brightness, contrast, and white balance.
- Focus: Switch to manual focus and set your lens to infinity. Use your camera's LCD zoom function to confirm sharpness on the moon's surface before shooting.
The Looney 11 Rule: Struggling to nail exposure? Set your aperture to f/11 and your shutter speed to the reciprocal of your ISO (e.g. ISO 100 = 1/100s, ISO 200 = 1/200s). It's a reliable starting point for a well-exposed moon.
Tips for a Successful Full Moon Shoot
Find a dark location — Get as far from artificial light sources as possible. Light pollution washes out the sky and reduces contrast around the moon. A clear view of the horizon is a bonus for shooting the moon as it rises or sets, when it appears largest and most dramatic.
Be patient — Can't get a clear shot through the trees? Wait it out. As the moon rises higher, you'll get a cleaner view. Cloud cover can also shift quickly — sometimes the best shots come after a frustrating wait.
Experiment with composition — The moon dead-centre in the frame is rarely the most interesting shot. Use the rule of thirds, incorporate foreground elements like tree branches or rooftops, capture the moon's reflection on water, or use clouds and stars as supporting elements. The night sky is your canvas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best camera for moon photography?
A high-resolution mirrorless camera with a full-frame or APS-C sensor is ideal. High resolution lets you crop aggressively for a tighter shot, while strong high-ISO performance helps in low-light conditions. Pair it with a long telephoto lens for the best results.
What focal length do I need to photograph the moon?
At minimum, 300mm on a full-frame camera will give you a recognisable moon as the main subject. For real surface detail, 500mm or more is recommended. A telephoto zoom in the 100–500mm range gives you flexibility, while a long prime (400mm, 500mm, 600mm) delivers maximum sharpness.
Why does my moon photo come out blurry?
The most common causes are camera shake and missed focus. Use a sturdy tripod, a remote shutter release or self-timer, and manual focus set to infinity. Also check your shutter speed — despite being a night scene, the full moon is bright and can be shot at 1/60s–1/125s, which helps freeze any residual vibration.
Why does my moon photo look overexposed and white?
The full moon reflects direct sunlight and is much brighter than most people expect. Use the Looney 11 rule as a starting point: aperture f/11, shutter speed = 1/ISO (e.g. ISO 100 = 1/100s). Avoid using Auto or night scene modes, which will dramatically overexpose the moon.
What time is best for full moon photography?
Moonrise and moonset offer the most dramatic shots — the moon appears larger near the horizon (the "moon illusion") and takes on a warm orange or golden colour as its light passes through more atmosphere. Use a moon phase app to find the exact rise and set times for your location, and scout your composition in advance.
Gear Up for Moon Photography at Ted's
- Mirrorless Cameras — High-resolution bodies with excellent low-light performance for astrophotography.
- Telephoto Lenses — The reach you need to fill the frame with the moon and capture surface detail.
- Tripods & Monopods — Essential for sharp, blur-free shots at long focal lengths.