Super moon: Top tips for taking photos on your smartphone as moon passes close to Earth

THERE’S a Super Moon coming - find out where to see it, when to see it and how to take the best photo of it.

Torquay’s front beach could be the best spot to see Monday night’s Super Moon, experts say. Picture: Impressions/Getty Images.

LOOK skyward Monday night - the moon should look its biggest and brightiest as it passes the closest to Earth it’s been in 68 years.

The celestial event will see the moon pass by us at 356,509 kilometres away and is not expected to happen again for another 18 years.

Star gazers and budding astronomers should be able to catch at glimpse of the super moon between 7.30pm and 9.30pm.

Astronomical Society of Geelong president David Murton said Torquay’s front beach would be a good vantage point.

“If people can get down to a beach facing east they may be able to see it,” he said.
“It will look bigger on the horizon due to refraction and will get smaller as it rises into the sky.”

But clouds forecast for Monday may block the moon and take the spark out of the event.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Rod Dickson said the forecast was not looking ideal for moon gazing.

“There may be some breaks in cloud around 7pm but southerly winds through the day may not make for suitable conditions to see the moon,” he said.

Astronomical Society of Geelong life member Frank Baker said it could be difficult for amateur observes to tell the difference between a super moon and full moon in the sky.

“It can be quite hard to tell the difference from the naked eye due to the lack of a reference point,” he said.

Recent super moons have caused a frenzy among sky gazers and photographers with social media awash with pictures of the celestial phenomenon.

TIPS FOR TAKING PHOTOS OF THE MOON WITH YOUR SMARTPHONE:

1. COMPOSITION

Top of the list for any photography and smart phones aren’t immune. Consider what your primary subject is; what is it and how does it naturally appear in the real world, and how best you can visually represent it. If you’re shooting a full moon, you’ll want something in frame to give context to its size and how it appears to the naked eye.

2. DON’T USE FILTERS

This is especially true of Instagram filters. They’re washed out and will reduce the quality and integrity of your photo. Photoshop Express and Lightroom are great free apps to make subtle edits to your exposure and shadows. The NightCap app can mimic the ability of a DSLR cameras ability to take long exposure photographs.

3. KEEP STEADY

Dig your elbows into the top of my hips to keep the phone rigid and in place. However, another option is always to pick up a smart phone tripod. A small tripod will come in especially handy when shooting the moon and night’s sky.

4. FRAMING

Before tapping that snap button, be sure to consider what’s in the edges of the image. Is there a rogue tree branch getting in the way, do you want the branch to compliment the framing?

5. SAY NO TO FLASH

Unless of course you want your images to have a B-grade horror film vibe.

6. ALWAYS CROP, DON’T ZOOM

Those finer details will get lost in distortion. Take a wider frame and crop in to maintain definition of your subject.

7. CLEAN YOUR LENS

Be wary about of the cleanliness of your lens. Clean it with something soft and lint-free, preferably a lens cloth.

Originally published as Super moon: Top tips for taking photos on your smartphone as moon passes close to Earth