Photographing the Blood Moon is a rare treat something that comes once in decades. Tonight, as the Blood Moon 2025, a total lunar eclipse, graces the sky, excitement is building among skywatchers, photographers, and YouTubers eager to capture one of nature’s most breathtaking shows.
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In Okhla, just like in many parts of the world where the eclipse will be visible, the air is buzzing with anticipation. A small group of residents has already made their plans most of them ready with smartphones, eager to snap this historic moment from their rooftops of Blood Moon 2025.
The lunar eclipse begins on September 7 at 8:58 pm. The Blood Moon 2025 phase the most dramatic part will unfold from 11 pm to 12:22 am, with the entire event ending at 2:25 am.
If you are in India, including areas like Okhla, this night is a perfect chance to try your hand at astrophotography. Whether you own a DSLR, a mirrorless camera, or simply a smartphone, you can turn this celestial event into a personal masterpiece with the right approach.
What exactly makes the Moon turn red?
During a Blood Moon, Earth slips between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow across the lunar surface. The red glow appears because Earth’s atmosphere filters and scatters the shorter blue wavelengths while allowing red light to pass through, painting the Moon with a warm, crimson hue.
Capturing it isn’t just about pointing your camera and clicking. Choosing the right place, setting up your camera early, and knowing the exact timing can turn an ordinary photo into once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece one you’ll proudly share with your friends and family.
To get the best shot, head to your rooftop or chosen spot well before the eclipse begins. This gives you time to arrange your gear and avoid last-minute rush or mistakes. Pick a location with as little light pollution as possible, open fields, rooftops, or terraces with a clear view of the sky are perfect. Plan your framing ahead of time: Think about including trees, buildings, or silhouettes to make your photo more interesting. Careful planning ensures you won’t miss the magical moments of totality, when the Moon glows its deepest red.
Best equipment for photographing Blood Moon 2025
One of the biggest challenges is using the right equipment. Should you choose a DSLR or a mirrorless camera? Experienced photographers suggest that either works well as long as you use a telephoto lens of 200 mm or longer. If you want even more detail, go for a 300–400 mm lens to capture the Moon’s texture and colour in striking clarity. Give importance to a sturdy tripod as it is essential for taking sharp images during long exposures.
Remote shutter release or timer: Helps prevent camera shake.
RAW shooting capability: Provides maximum editing flexibility.
Sharing his expert tips on capturing this iconic celestial moment Blood Moon 2025, Professor Farhat Basir Khan, an acclaimed photographer and media educator with over three decades of contribution to photography and media studies in India, emphasised the importance of stability in night photography.
Speaking to the OT, Professor Khan, who has taught at Jamia Millia Islamia’s prestigious AJK Mass Communication Research Centre and is currently associated with Jamia Hamdard, said: “To photograph the moon clearly, keeping your phone or camera steady is absolutely essential. A sturdy tripod or stable surface can make all the difference in avoiding blurs caused by even the slightest shake.”
Author of a renowned book on photography and visual storytelling, Professor Farhat Basir Khan has mentored some of India’s most celebrated names during his illustrious academic career, including Shah Rukh Khan, Roshan Abbas, Barkha Dutt, Kabir Khan, Loveleen Tandan, Aseem Mishra, and Saurabh Narang.
Speaking about the rare celestial event, he said: “Always use a sturdy tripod or a stable surface to avoid even the slightest shake, as night shots are highly sensitive to movement. Switch to manual or pro mode to gain full control over your settings. Set your ISO low (ideally between 100 and 400) to reduce noise, and start with a shutter speed around 1/125–1/250 seconds for proper exposure of the bright moon. You can also take one shot using auto mode for reference and then fine-tune manually. Avoid using digital zoom, as it reduces image quality opt for optical zoom or crop later. For a more captivating photo, don’t just focus on the moon alone; include interesting foreground elements such as trees, buildings, or water reflections, or try a panoramic view to add scale and context.”
Author of The Game of Votes. India: SAGE India, Khan said: “Use manual focus or infinity focus, and if possible, shoot in RAW format to adjust details later in post-processing. Taking a good lunar photograph is not just about technical settings but also about composition, timing, and creativity.”
Smartphone photography
In today’s smartphone era, most people, except seasoned photographers and professionals, will rely on their phones to capture the Blood Moon 2025 tonight.
Use a tripod or phone mount to stabilise your device.
Avoid digital zoom; use optical zoom if available.
Install a manual camera app (e.g., ProCam, Lightroom, Camera FV-5) for better control of ISO, shutter, and focus.
Camera settings for Blood Moon 2025 photography
Because the Moon’s brightness changes during an eclipse, you need to adjust settings throughout the event. Before totality (bright Moon) use ISO: 100–400; Aperture: f/5.6–f/8 and shutter speed: 1/250 to 1/500 second. During totality (reddish phase) use ISO: 800–3200; Aperture: f/4 or wider and shutter speed: 1–2 seconds.
Always use manual focus; autofocus may fail as the Moon darkens. Apply the Rule of 400 to avoid motion blur: divide 400 by your lens focal length (e.g., 400 ÷ 200 mm = 2 seconds max).
Smartphone-specific tips
Modern smartphones with astrophotography or night modes can deliver impressive results:
Stabilise the phone and use a timer or Bluetooth shutter.
Tap and hold to lock focus and exposure.
Lower exposure slightly to avoid overexposure.
Try time-lapse mode to capture the full eclipse sequence.
Enhance your Blood Moon photos with composition
Instead of just photographing the Moon alone, experiment with creative compositions by including landmarks, people, or natural silhouettes to add depth; capture a series of images at each stage of the eclipse and later create a composite and try wide-angle shots of the night sky to include stars and city lights.
Editing is where your Blood Moon images truly shine: Adjust exposure and contrast to bring out lunar textures; apply noise reduction for high-ISO shots; stack multiple frames for sharpness and detail and add a warm tone to enhance the natural red glow if needed.
Remember the key to great lunar eclipse photography is patience, practice, and preparation. Mark your calendar, set up your gear, and enjoy one of the most beautiful celestial shows of the year tonight.
