Chasing the October Supermoon with the GTA Photo Community and PhotoPills

Feature image by Alok Kumar via Wikimedia

This October 17, photographers in Toronto and around the world will be pursuing the super moon and trying their hands at finding interesting compositions a d getting exposures just right. It’s a big challenge and one that is supported by the good folks at PhotoPills app.

What is the Super moon?

A supermoon occurs when a full moon (or a new moon) coincides with the Moon’s closest approach to Earth in its elliptical orbit, known as perigee. This makes the moon appear larger and brighter in the sky than a typical full moon. The term “supermoon” is not a formal astronomical term but rather a popular term coined to describe this visually striking event.

During a supermoon:

• The moon can appear up to 14% larger and 30% brighter than when it’s at its farthest point, known as apogee.
• Supermoons usually occur 3-4 times a year.

Since the Moon’s orbit around the Earth is elliptical, its distance from Earth varies, with the average distance being about 384,400 km (238,855 miles). At perigee, the Moon is about 356,500 km (221,500 miles) from Earth, and this closer proximity is what makes the supermoon appear larger.

Supermoons are great opportunities for astrophotography and skywatching. Many people look forward to these events because they provide a spectacular view of the moon rising on the horizon!

What are some of the challenges for photographers?

Capturing the supermoon can be both exciting and challenging for photographers. While the moon appears larger and brighter, several factors can make it difficult to capture its beauty effectively. Here are some common challenges and tips to overcome them:

1. Overexposure of the Moon

• Challenge: The moon is very bright, especially during a supermoon, so it’s easy to accidentally overexpose it in photos, which can cause the moon to lose details like its craters and surface textures.
• Solution: Use manual settings on your camera to adjust the exposure. Lower the ISO (100–200), use a fast shutter speed, and narrow the aperture (around f/8 to f/11) to retain the moon’s details without overexposing it.

2. Lack of Reference Points

• Challenge: A photo of just the moon can lack context, making it hard to convey the scale of the supermoon.
• Solution: Include foreground elements like landscapes, buildings, or natural features (trees, mountains) to add scale and drama. Plan ahead to find locations where you can shoot the moon rising or setting with an interesting backdrop.

3. Motion Blur

• Challenge: The moon is constantly moving, and long exposures can cause it to appear blurry.
• Solution: Use a tripod to stabilize your camera and a fast shutter speed (1/125 or faster). This will minimize motion blur while keeping the image sharp. If you want a long exposure shot for a landscape, consider using image stacking to combine shots.

4. Atmospheric Distortion

• Challenge: When the moon is low on the horizon, atmospheric turbulence can cause distortion or blurring, reducing image clarity.
• Solution: Wait until the moon rises higher in the sky, where the atmosphere is thinner and clearer. If you’re set on capturing the moon at the horizon, patience is key—take multiple shots and try to shoot on a clear night.

5. Focusing on the Moon

• Challenge: Achieving perfect focus on the moon can be tricky, especially with autofocus, which may struggle due to the moon’s brightness and distance.
• Solution: Use manual focus and set the focus to infinity. If using a DSLR or mirrorless camera, zoom in on the moon using the live view feature to ensure sharp focus.

6. Wide Dynamic Range

• Challenge: The supermoon is much brighter than the surrounding landscape, making it difficult to balance exposure between the moon and the environment.
• Solution: You can either:
  • Expose for the moon and underexpose the landscape, or
  • Use HDR (High Dynamic Range) techniques by combining multiple exposures to balance the bright moon with the darker foreground.

7. Lack of Magnification

• Challenge: Even during a supermoon, the moon may appear smaller in photos than in real life, especially if using wide-angle lenses.
• Solution: Use a telephoto lens (300mm or longer) to zoom in and capture more details of the moon’s surface. For landscape shots, experiment with focal lengths between 70mm and 200mm to balance foreground elements with the moon.

8. Weather Conditions

• Challenge: Cloud cover and atmospheric haze can obscure or reduce the clarity of the supermoon.
• Solution: Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. If possible, scout locations in advance to give yourself flexibility in case the weather changes.

9. Timing

• Challenge: The window for capturing the supermoon at its largest and most dramatic (during moonrise or moonset) is often short.
• Solution: Use moon tracking apps (such as The Photographer’s Ephemeris or PhotoPills) to know the exact time and location of moonrise or moonset, so you can be in position ahead of time.

10. Light Pollution

• Challenge: Shooting in urban areas can introduce light pollution, which diminishes the contrast between the supermoon and the night sky.
• Solution: Try to shoot in locations away from city lights or use filters (like light pollution filters) to reduce the effects of artificial lighting.

Photographers aiming to capture the supermoon need to balance exposure, framing, and timing to get that perfect shot. The good news is that with planning, patience, and practice, you can overcome these challenges and create stunning supermoon photos!

You may ask how can you shoot the super moon in Toronto? Please read on!

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Toronto meetup information

Toronto Supermoon Shoot Locations

If you want to shoot the moon in the vening you will have to point your camera to the eastern sky. Here are two locations:

Humber Bay Shores

• Why: This park offers stunning views of the Toronto skyline from the west, making it an excellent spot for moonrise photography. The park’s trails and waterfront walkways allow you to find an ideal vantage point.
• Best Spots: Humber Bay Park East or Humber Bay Arch Bridge.
• Tip: Arrive early to scout your location and position the moon in alignment with the skyline or natural features like the bridge.

Trillium Park at Ontario Place

• Why: This newer park at Ontario Place offers scenic views of the city skyline and Lake Ontario. The curved paths and lookout points provide flexibility for finding a perfect moonrise or moonset location.
• Tip: The park’s location near the waterfront is perfect for moon reflections on the water, especially with the city’s glow in the background.
• Note: while this location is beautiful for general moon photography the Humber Bay location provides more ideal alignment opportunities

Thank you

Big thanks for reading and special shoutout to the local photographers Eddie Chan and Charles Ponte for planning their event and supporting the photography community.

Should be an incredible experience! Good luck and happy shooting.

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