The full moon on August 30th 2023 is a special one: it’s a blue moon, which means it’s the second full moon in a calendar month. And it’s also a Supermoon, which means it’s at its closest point to Earth in its orbit. This makes it the biggest and brightest full moon of the year!

If you’re a photographer, you’ll want to take advantage of this rare opportunity to capture the beauty of the blue super moon. Here are a few tips:

1. Plan your location. I plan my photo location using PhotoPills, a powerful app for iOS and Android, that can help you plan your location for any type of photography, including moon photography.
2. Use a tripod. A tripod is essential for taking sharp photos of the moon. Even a small amount of camera shake can ruin your shot, so it’s important to use a sturdy tripod to keep your camera steady.
3. Use a telephoto lens. A telephoto lens will help you magnify the moon and make it appear larger in your photos. A 200mm lens is a good starting point, but you can use a longer lens if you have one.
4. Set your camera to manual mode. This will give you more control over the exposure settings of your camera. You’ll want to use a low ISO (100-200) and a slow shutter speed (1/100-1/200).
5. Use exposure compensation. You may need to use exposure compensation to make sure the moon is properly exposed. Experiment with different settings until you find one that works well.
6. Take multiple shots. The moon is constantly moving, so it’s important to take multiple shots to choose the one that looks better later.

The importance of finding an amazing foreground

In addition to the moon itself, the foreground of your photo is also very important. A well-chosen foreground can help to add context and interest to your photo, and it can also help to frame the moon and make it stand out. When choosing a foreground, look for something that is visually interesting and that will complement the moon. Some good options include trees, buildings, mountains, or bodies of water. You can also use foreground elements to tell a story or create a mood. For example, you could use a foreground tree to create a sense of scale, or you could use a foreground building to create a sense of place. The possibilities are endless!

With a little planning and preparation, you can capture stunning photos of the August 2023 blue super moon. So get out there and start shooting! Oh, here is a collection with some of my personal best Supermoon photos to get some inspiration!

The post How to Photograph the Blue Supermoon on August 30th 2023 appeared first on Alexios Ntounas Photography.

A total lunar eclipse, also known as a “blood moon,” will be visible from all of North America, the Pacific, and Asia Pacific on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Totality will occur at 10:16 Universal Time. This spectacular event happens when the full moon turns red as it enters Earth’s shadow. 

It will be visible from North America in the early hours of November 8, just after midnight on the west coast and just before dawn on the east coast. It will also be visible in the Asia Pacific shortly after sunset. Unfortunately, Europe will not be able to see it.

What is a lunar eclipse

A lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon moves into the shadow cast by the Earth. This can happen only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are exactly or very closely aligned with Earth between the other two, which can happen only on a full moon night when the Moon is close to either lunar node. The length and type of a lunar eclipse are determined by the Moon’s proximity to the lunar node.

The reddish color of a completely eclipsed Moon results from Earth completely blocking direct sunlight from reaching the Moon, with the only light reflected from the lunar surface refracted by Earth’s atmosphere. This light appears reddish for the same reason that the sun sets or rises: the scattering of blue light.

Where and when the blood moon will be visible

You can use the following lunar eclipse map to find when the eclipse will be visible from your location. I prefer using The Photographer’s Ephemeris (TPE) or PhotoPills applications to find out the exact time and position of the lunar eclipse. Those apps are extremely useful for planning how to photograph the blood moon!

How to photograph the total lunar eclipse

A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a long telephoto lens, preferably something like 300mm, and a tripod are required to capture a close-up photo of the moon. You can focus on the moon, but if you have a close subject, it will get out of focus. In this case, you may need to focus stack.

Of course, shooting RAW allows you to capture as many details, dynamic range and colors as possible. Because the moon moves quickly, you’ll need a relatively fast shutter speed to avoid blur. To get a sharp photo of the moon, start with the widest aperture available for your lens and set your ISO to get a shutter speed of around 1/100 sec. Make a few test shots and use your camera’s LCD screen to zoom in and ensure the moon is perfectly sharp.

Because the available light will change as the eclipse occurs, you will need to adjust your settings. Here’s a lunar eclipse exposure calculator to help you figure out what settings you’ll need based on your camera and focal length.

Here is an interesting video on how to plan and photograph the total lunar eclipse of November 8, 2022, by using the PhotoPills application.

The next lunar eclipse

The moon will turn reddish for 66 minutes during the next total lunar eclipse visible from North and South America on March 13/14, 2025. The next blood moon to be visible from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia will happen on May 5/6, 2023. I wish you clear skies so you can witness this incredible experience!

The post How to Photograph a Total Lunar Eclipse appeared first on Alexios Ntounas Photography.

On July 16th, 1969, the Apollo 11 lifted off with astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin. 4 days later Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon! Today, 50 years later, there is a lunar eclipse visible only partially from Europe. However the sky is full of clouds and it is raining. No photos for me this time. I guess I’ll have to wait till 2022…! However last summer on July 27th, 2018, I’ve experienced my first total lunar eclipse. And as you can see I had my camera with me to capture it. I have to admit that it was pretty amazing viewing the moon changing its color during totality and changing from yellow into brown, orange and finally red!

The post Path to totality appeared first on Alexios Ntounas Photography.

This is Thasos island in Greece as seen from the city of Kavala. I just happened to be at Kavala city for a wedding when the full moon painted with golden light the blue sea. I picked up my camera and got out to take this shot! Thasos island has some wonderful beaches and an amazing natural pool. More about this on another post!

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