Moon classroom

Moon photos: exposure, shake and phase

Use original schematic comparisons to distinguish overexposure and motion blur.

01

Lower exposure when the disk turns white

Auto exposure aimed at a dark sky can clip the bright lunar disk. Focus on the Moon and reduce exposure until gray patterns remain. Flash cannot illuminate the Moon.

02

Shake and digital zoom are separate issues

Support the phone and use a timer to reduce shake. Digital zoom does not create detail. Compare modes and exposures on your own device. The illustration is a conceptual model, not a real camera sample.

03

Choose the time for your goal

Consider quarter phases for terrain and twilight for landscapes. There is no universal ISO or shutter speed. Use planner windows as a starting point and adjust on location.

OverexposureLower exposure
Moon Where illustration. A conceptual comparison, not a measured camera result.

Reviewed: 2026-10-13 · Moon Where operator

NASA · Source and further reading

Plan an observation · Today’s Moon · All lessons

An experiment: exposure, then phase

  1. At one location, take two stabilized photos with the same zoom and different exposure compensation. Compare the disk, not the brightness of the surrounding sky.
  2. On another date, compare a quarter Moon with a near-full Moon. Changing shadows near the terminator can reveal relief; different weather and altitude mean this is not a controlled equipment test.
  3. Write down which setting changed and whether blur or clipping remained. Use the symptom guide when the result is still unclear.

Fix a specific photo problem · Record your photo conditions

Guide updated: