Moon
How to Photograph the Full Moon
Updated June 20, 2026
Timing is everything
The most dramatic full-moon images are made as the moon rises near the horizon, where it appears largest relative to foreground elements and is dim enough to balance with the twilight sky. A full moon rises around sunset and sets around sunrise, so check the moonrise time and its compass bearing — both are shown in the planner — and position yourself so the moon comes up behind a landmark.
Gear
A telephoto lens (200mm and up) makes the moon a meaningful size in frame; longer focal lengths and a distant foreground exaggerate its scale. A sturdy tripod is essential, and a remote release or 2-second timer prevents shake.
Settings
The sunlit full moon is bright — the “looney 11” rule is a good starting point: aperture f/11, shutter speed 1/ISO (e.g. 1/100s at ISO 100). Spot-meter on the moon itself so it isn't blown out. Once the moon is higher and the sky is dark, you may need to blend two exposures (one for the moon, one for the landscape).