5 tips for taking nice pictures of the harvest moon

Last year, amateur astronomers were treated to a rare spectacle: the super blood moon.

Across the world, spectators immortalized the phenomenon, some with greater success than others.

If you're hoping to snap your own photo of this year's harvest moon, CBC/Radio-Canada photographer Bert Savard has a few tricks to pass on that should improve your odds of capturing a few great shots.

1) Check the weather forecast

Always check the weather forecast before heading out in search of the perfect picture.

"Even if you have a good camera, it won't serve you well if the moon is hidden behind clouds," Savard said.

As of Friday morning, rain and light drizzle were expected throughout the day in southern Manitoba, although showers were expected to clear into the evening.

2) While we're on the topic of cameras…

Although the average person uses a smartphone to photograph almost everything these days, the sharpest pictures of the moon are rarely captured with these devices.

"Smartphones don't offer enough freedom to play with settings, which is necessary when taking photos in situations of extreme contrasts. You can't control the aperture or the shutter speed or ISO to properly expose the scene with a smartphone."

For optimum results, Savard says to use a DSLR camera with at least a 200 millimetre lens. He suggests adjusting the ISO sensitivity to between 100 and 200.

3) Scope out the best location

"If you're in a lighted area, light may penetrate your lens and the picture will be less detailed."

Savard says to find a park or another spot outside the city limits in order to have enough darkness.

"But make sure you have permission from the farmer before you venture into the field."

4) Don't move!

Another indispensable piece of equipment you'll need in order to take nice photos of the moon is a steady tripod.

"If you move, the moon will look like mush," Savard says.

He also recommends using the self-timer, rather than snapping the shot instantly, because the slightest of movements can spoil a good photo.

5) Last resort: use a telescope

For those out there determined to use a smartphone to take photos of the moon, Savard suggests picking up an adapter that will allow you to connect your phone camera to the lens of a telescope.

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