Photographing the moon on a smartphone is a task that seems easy only at first glance. Even with the budget Xiaomi Redmi 10, you can get impressive footage if you know the nuances of camera settings, lighting and composition. The main problem when shooting the moon is the lack of light (despite the brightness of the object) and autofocus, which often “throws” into the dark sky. In this article, we will examine Step-by-step how to circumvent the limitations of a smartphone and take clear, detailed photos of the Earth’s satellite.
Many users mistakenly think that to shoot the moon necessarily need a flagship smartphone or a SLR camera. In fact, the Redmi 10 with its 50 MP main module and manual Pro mode can give a result that is as much as 2-3 times more expensive than devices. The key to success is in the right preparation, exposure settings and post-processing. We tested all the methods in practice and selected only those that actually work.
Preparation for shooting: time, weather and equipment
The first thing to consider is the moon phase. The ideal time to shoot is the full moon or the day before/after when the disk is illuminated as evenly as possible. In other phases (like the sickle), you can get interesting shadow shots, but the crater detail will be worse. Check the phase in advance in applications like Moon Phase Calendar or Star Walk 2.
Weather is just as important. Even a little haze or cloudy clouds scatter light, making the moon blurry.
- 🌙 Clear skies without clouds and smog (check out the forecast on Windy.com).
- 🌆 Minimum light from the city - go to the outskirts or to the park.
- 🌡️ Air temperature higher +5°C (cold can cause condensation on the lens).
- 🕒 Shooting time: The first 2-3 hours after sunset, when the moon is high above the horizon.
From the equipment you will need:
- 📱 Xiaomi Redmi 10 with a clean lens (wipe with a napkin for glasses!).
- 🔋 Battery charge not less than 50% – shooting in manual mode consumes energy quickly.
- 📐 Stamp or stable support (you can use a stack of books or a window sill).
- 🔍 Telephoto (optional) – for example, clip Xiaomi Lens 2x near.
⚠️ Warning: Don't use digital zoom in normal camera mode - it only degrades quality. Better shoot the moon without zoom, then crop the frame in the editor.
Xiaomi Redmi 10 camera settings for shooting the moon
The regular Photo Mode in Redmi 10 is not suitable for shooting the moon — it automatically overstates the exposure, turning the satellite into a white spot. Instead, use Pro (or Manual) mode, where you can manually adjust:
| Parameter | Recommended value | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| ISO | 100–200 | Higher values will add noise. The moon is bright, so ISO should be minimal. |
| Excerpt. | 1/200-1/500 sec | Long exposure will erode the moon because of the Earth's motion. 1/250. |
| Diaphragm | f/1.8 (maximum) | An open aperture lets more light through, but reduces depth of field. |
| Focus | Manual (MF) | Autofocus will catch the sky. Set the focus on the sky. ∞ (infinite). |
| White balance | Daylight | Automatic DB can make the moon yellowish. Manual: 5,000–5500K. |
How to find these settings:
- Open the Camera app.
- Scroll down the modes to the left to Pro (or Manual).
- Touch the gear badge (⚙️) parameter-access.
- Set the values according to the table above.
If the moon is too dark on the screen, increase the exposure. EV) on +1.0 or +1.5. If it is overlit, reduce it to -0.5. For fine-tuning, use a histogram (includes in the camera settings). The brightness peak should be on the right side of the graph, but not "rest" in the edge.
Set up Pro mode|
Shut down. HDR|
Expose ISO 100–200|
Set the focus on infinity (∞)|
Check the white balance (5,000–5500K)-->
Focus: How to Avoid Fluidity
The main problem with shooting the Redmi 10 moon is that it's not focusing properly. Autofocus in the dark often misses, especially when there's no other object in the shot (MF):
Instructions for setting the focus:
- Switch to Pro mode.
- Touch the badge. MF (manual focus) on the top menu.
- Smoothly move the slider to the right to the stop - this is the position ∞ (infinite).
- Scale up on the screen (by finger-sparing gesture) and check the clarity of the edges of the moon.
- If the image is blurry, slightly adjust the focus left/right.
If manual focus is not available (in some firmware) MIUI It is hidden, use a workaround method:
- 📌 Point the camera at a remote light source (for example, a flashlight on the other side of the street).
- 🔍 Wait for the autofocus to work and block the focus (hold your finger on the screen until the lock appears). 🔒).
- 🌕 Turn the camera to the moon, the focus will remain blocked.
⚠️ Warning: Even with perfect focus, hand tremors can ruin the shot. Use a delay timer (2-10 seconds) or voice capture to avoid micro-movement when you press the trigger button.
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If the moon is too small, shoot it in 48 MP mode (in the camera settings, turn on “High resolution”). Then cut the frame in the editor, saving detail.
Shooting with a telephoto lens or zoom: which is better?
The Xiaomi Redmi 10 doesn’t have optical zoom, but there are two ways to zoom in:
1. Digital zoom (not recommended)
Any magnification in the normal camera mode is digital zoom, which just stretches the pixels, losing the detail. 2x, But it's better to do without him.
External telephoto lens
The best option is a clip lens with 2x increase (e.g. Xiaomi Lens) 2x analogue Aukey/Xenvo). These lenses are worth it. 500–1500 They're attached to the main camera with magnets, and they're used to shoot with a telephoto lens:
- 🔍 Set it strictly in the center of the smartphone lens.
- 📏 Turn off digital zoom in camera settings.
- 🎯 Refocus manually – telephoto lens can knock off focus.
Comparison of methods:
| Method | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| No zoom. | Maximum detail, no distortions | The moon is small, you'll need a pruning. |
| Digital zoom 2x | The moon is bigger, you don’t have to buy accessories. | Loss of sharpness, artifacts |
| Telephoto lens 2x | Optical magnification without loss of quality | Additional costs, risk of defocusing |
How to take a photo of the moon through a telescope or binoculars?
Post-processing: how to improve the photo of the moon
Even a perfectly shot shot can be made even better with editors.
- 🎨 Increase contrast and clarity.
- 🔘 Correct exposure (if the moon is too dark or light).
- ✂️ Cut the frame so that the moon occupies most of the image.
- 🎨 Remove the noise (if) ISO high-pitched).
Recommended editing annexes:
- 📱 Snapseed (free, there are tools "Details" and "Selective correction»).
- 📱 Lightroom Mobile (paid filters, but basic tools are free).
- 💻 GIMP Photoshop (for advanced processing on PC).
Step-by-step instructions in Snapseed:
- Open the photo and select the Details tool → increase the structure by 20-30%.
- Go to Image Settings → Increase contrast by 10-15% and brightness if necessary.
- Use Selective Correction to darken the sky (add a dot to the dark area and reduce exposure).
- Apply the Trimming (1:1 or 4:3) for the composition.
- Keep the result as high as possible.
⚠️ Attention: Do not overdo it with sharpness, it will add artifacts. It is better to slightly undercut the shot when shooting and correct the exposure in the editor than overdo it with processing.
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The most important step is to take the right shot, and even the best editor can't save a blurry or over-lit shot, and spend more time setting up the camera rather than post-processing.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even experienced photographers sometimes make mistakes when shooting the moon, and here are the most common ones and ways to fix them:
| Mistake. | Reason. | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The moon is a white spot. | Overexposed frame (too long exposure or high exposure) ISO) | Reduce shutter speed to 1/500 and ISO before 100 |
| The blurred edges of the moon | Incorrect focusing or trembling of the hands | Use a manual focus on ∞ timer |
| The background of the sky is gray, not black. | Light pollution or high exposure | Take a picture away from the city or reduce it. EV on -0.5 |
| The photo shows stripes or noise | High-pitched ISO long-exposure | Install. ISO 100–200 shortened 1/200 |
Another common problem is chromatic aberration, which is caused by cheap lenses or shooting at sharp angles to light sources, to reduce the effect of:
- 🔍 Take the moon off when it is high in the sky (not near the horizon).
- 📱 In post-processing, use the tool Removing aberration in Lightroom.
Additional life hacks for advanced users
If you want to go beyond the basic settings, try these tricks:
1. Filming in format RAW Redmi 10 supports saving photos in format RAW (In the camera settings, turn on "Save" RAW-(a) Advantages of images:
- 📊 More data for post-processing (shadow/light can be restored).
- 🎨 Flexible white balance correction.
Minus – files take up a lot of space (20-30 MB each).
2. Serial shooting and stacking
Take 5-10 pictures of the moon in a row, and then combine them into a single file using applications like StarStaX or Sequator.
3. Photography of the Moon with Landscape
To prevent the moon from looking lonely, add landscape elements (trees, buildings) to the frame.
- 🌄 Use a wide-angle module (8 MP on Redmi 10).
- 📏 Place the Moon in the Rule of Thirds (not in the center).
- 🌆 Take pictures at dusk when the sky is not completely dark.
4. Telescope photography (afocal method)
If you have a telescope, you can get some amazing crater images, and the details are in the spoiler above.
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To capture the moon in motion (for example, during an eclipse), use the Video mode with resolution. 4K@30fps. Then select the best frame with the program VLC or PotPlayer.