Last Updated on March 6, 2025 by Practical Astrophotography Staff
Letâs dive into photographing the lunar eclipse happening on March 14, 2025. This is a total lunar eclipse, and with the right approach, you can capture some stunning images. Iâll break it down into the topics you requested: timing and location, planning, bracketing, composition, and post-processing.
What Time and and where can the Lunar Eclipse be seen?
The total lunar eclipse on March 13â14, 2025, will be a treat for skywatchers, especially in North and South America, where itâs fully visible from start to finish. The event kicks off late on March 13 and runs into the early hours of March 14, with timings varying by time zone. Hereâs the breakdown in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), assuming daylight saving time is in effect by mid-March (it typically starts the second Sunday of March in the U.S.):
- Penumbral phase begins: 11:57 PM EDT on March 13 (03:57 UTC on March 14
- Partial eclipse begins: 1:09 AM EDT (05:09 UTC)
- Totality starts: 2:26 AM EDT (06:26 UTC)
- Peak of totality: 2:58 AM EDT (06:58 UTC)
- Totality ends: 3:31 AM EDT (07:31 UTC)
- Partial eclipse ends: 4:47 AM EDT (08:47 UTC)
- Penumbral phase ends: 6:00 AM EDT (10:00 UTC)
The whole event lasts about six hours, with totalityâthe most dramatic part, when the Moon turns a reddish hueâlasting 65 minutes. Visibility-wise, this eclipse favors the Western Hemisphere. If youâre in the U.S., Canada, or South America, youâre in luckâitâs visible everywhere the Moon is above the horizon. Western Europe gets a partial view before moonset, while parts of Asia, Australia, and Africa catch portions depending on their local timing. Check a site like timeanddate.com with your exact location for precise local times, as the Moonâs position in your sky will depend on where you are.
Planning
Good astrophotography starts with solid prep. First, confirm the eclipse timing for your specific locationâapps like PhotoPills or Stellarium can pinpoint when and where the Moon will be in your sky. For example, in the eastern U.S., the Moon will be lower in the western sky by totality, while in the west, itâll still be higher up. Next, scout your spot. You want a clear view of the Moon, ideally away from city lights to cut down on light pollution. If youâre near mountains or buildings, make sure they wonât block the Moonâs pathâPhotoPills can help simulate this.
Gear-wise, youâll need a camera with manual settings (DSLR or mirrorless works best), a sturdy tripod, and a lens. A telephoto lens (200mm or longer) is ideal for close-ups of the Moon, but a wide-angle lens (24â50mm) can capture it with a landscape. Bring extra batteries and memory cardsâitâs a long night, and cold weather (if youâre in a northern spot in March) can drain batteries fast. Check the weather forecast obsessively; clouds can spoil everything, though thin ones might add drama. Finally, test your setup beforehandâfocus on the Moon a night or two prior to get the hang of it.
Bracketing
Exposure is tricky during a lunar eclipse because the Moonâs brightness changes dramatically. During the partial phases, the uneclipsed part is bright, while the shadowed part is dimâup to 8 stops apart. Totality dims the Moon significantly, often turning it red. Bracketingâtaking multiple shots at different exposuresâis your friend here. Try a three-shot bracket with one-stop intervals: one at your meterâs suggested exposure, one underexposed, and one overexposed. For partial phases, expose for the bright highlights (e.g., ISO 200, f/8, 1/250 sec with a 300mm lens). During totality, shift to the shadows (e.g., ISO 800, f/5.6, 1â2 sec), adjusting based on how dark it gets.
Why bracket? You canât predict the Moonâs exact brightnessâatmospheric conditions like dust or haze can shift it. Plus, youâll have options to pick the best shot later or blend them if needed. Most modern cameras have an auto-bracketing feature (AEB); set it and fire away every few minutes to capture the eclipseâs progression.
Composition
Composition depends on your vision. For a tight shot of the Moon, use a long lens (300mm+) to fill the frame with lunar detailsâcraters pop during partial phases, and the red glow of totality is striking. Center the Moon or use the rule of thirds for balance. If you want context, switch to a wide-angle lens and include foreground elements like trees, mountains, or a skyline. Plan this with an app to align the Moon with your subjectâsay, having it rise over a ridge at totality.
The Moon moves about 15 degrees per hour, so for wide shots, position it on the left (northern hemisphere) or right (southern hemisphere) to let it drift across the frame over time. During totality, stars pop out as the Moon dims, so a wider shot can capture constellations like Leo (where the Moon will be). Experiment with single shots or a sequence youâll composite later to show the eclipseâs stages in one image.
Post-Processing
Raw files are your best betâthey retain more data for tweaking. In software like Lightroom or Photoshop, start with exposure and contrast. For partial phases, boost shadows to reveal the eclipsed area, but donât overdo itâblending bright and dark parts can look fake. During totality, increase clarity and vibrance to enhance the red tones, and tweak white balance if itâs too warm or cool (manual white balance in-camera helps here too).
Noise can creep in with high ISOs during totality, so apply noise reduction sparingly. If you shot a sequence, stack them in Photoshop: align the Moon (use âAuto-Align Layersâ) and blend with âLightenâ mode for a progression effect, or mask layers for a composite with a static foreground. Crop for impact, and sharpen lightly to bring out lunar texture. Keep it naturalâoverprocessing can turn a cosmic wonder into a cartoon.
Wrapping Up
Photographing this eclipse is about patience and experimentation. Youâve got hours to play with, so start shooting at the penumbral phase and adjust as the light shifts. Whether youâre zooming in on the blood-red Moon or framing it against a starry landscape, the key is preparation and flexibility. Get out there, enjoy the show, and let your camera capture the magic!
