Photographing the moon is an interesting adventure but it’s even better when you capture it during a lunar eclipse. And you don’t need special equipment to get spectacular images. All one needs is a good understanding of the technique involved and the urge to keep at it till you get it right.
Lunar eclipse is easier to photograph than solar eclipse because the lunar eclipse takes place over a span of an hour and you have more time to capture the best moments. It is also visible from anywhere on the night side of the Earth unlike the solar eclipse that is visible from a very small belt. So, the opportunities of photographing a lunar eclipse are aplenty.
A little bit of science
The science of eclipses is a basic one and you don’t have to be a space scientist to understand. Lunar eclipse occurs when the three heavenly bodies-the moon, the earth and sun-align together in a straight line and the shadow of the earth falls on the moon.
You can research on space websites to find out the exact dates when the lunar eclipse is expected. A few days before the eclipse, you should do a recce to determine the probable position of the moon as this will help you set your camera accordingly. It is important to note that the moon is in the same position on the day prior to the eclipse and allows for a test run before the main day.
The equipment
A 35mm SLR (single lens reflex) or a DSLR if you prefer digital photography are the best cameras to shoot a lunar eclipse. But if don’t have this equipment, you can make the most of your basic point and shoot camera by coupling it with a release cable.
DSLR owners can use a telephoto lens, probably in the range of 500mm to 1000mm, for better focus. If you can’t afford such lenses, lenses of small values can also be used. But even long lenses may not offer a crisp view of the eclipse from such a long distance. So, if possible, you should also get a telescope mount in addition to the lens. The telescope mount is used as a guide for the lens and so the longer the lens, more the need to use a telescope mount.
You will also need a good tripod or a sturdy place to place your camera. Since you will be working with a long exposure of about five to forty seconds, the camera needs to be very still to avoid camera shake.
Action!
Having mastered the science and have the right equipment, it’s time to capture your images. But before you pull the trigger, let’s first dial in the right combination of ISO and aperture speed. To shoot a lunar eclipse, you should have the widest aperture (which means the reading should say f/smallest numeric value). Film speed or ISO of 400 is ideal but as you advance, you can try more combinations by researching some more on the internet.
The lunar eclipse lasts for around an hour but you can’t expose for that long time because that will leave your end result looking like a star trail. So opt for short exposure ranging from 5 to forty seconds.
Parting word
Photographing lunar eclipse can seem complex or simple depending on the level of photography skills. Nevertheless, even with basic equipment and basic knowledge, you can get great photos. So it is a good idea to read as much as you can on the subject to exploit the full potential of your equipment.
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