PLAN YOUR SHOOT
Predicting where and when the moon will rise will produce fantastic results
1 DAY VISIT Scope out your location to identify potential hazards. While you are visiting, you can plan the precise timings of your night-time shoot if you want a shot of the moon rising above a specific landmark.
2 PLAN YOUR SHOOT Use an app like Photo Pills to predict where and when the moon will rise. Here we want to capture the Milky Way with a motorised tracker before the moon rises, then a longer exposure as it rises.
3 SET UP Pack a sturdy tripod, particularly if working on uneven ground or in breezy conditions. Wear warm clothing, as you might be outside for a long time and the temperature drops rapidly at night.
4 GAUGE THE LIGHT Start with 30-second exposures and high ISO settings. This will enable you to work quickly in order to achieve a level of light you would be happy with in the final exposure.
5 WORK OUT FINAL EXPOSURE
If you are happy with the light levels in that shot, work backwards, halving the ISO and doubling the exposure time. This image was a four-minute exposure at ISO 400.
6 NAIL THE EXPOSURE As the moon rises, it will get brighter, so be sure to gauge the levels of light accurately. It is easier to shoot in RAW, underexpose a shot, then bring out the details in the shadows afterwards.