[gallery size="medium" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" td_gallery_title_input="‘Everyone can be an astrophotographer'" ids="153715,153713,153716,153712,153714"] Sighting the moon has been a long standing tradition across the Arab world where people await with great anticipation the announcement of the new moon to celebrate Eid Al Fitr. To mark this occasion, Apple just revealed its new ‘Shot on iPhone' campaign that captures the magic of Eid with a collection of incredible moon photos shot on iPhone 7. Over the course of a month, five amateur photographers took on the mission to shoot the moon across its different lunar stages using only their iPhone and a simple telescope. "This campaign goes to show that today, everyone can be an astrophotographer," says Canadian Astrophotographer Andrew Symes. "You don't have to be a professional to be able to capture the wonders of space. With just a few tips and a bit of practice, anyone with an iPhone and a basic telescope can shoot a close up photo of the moon, for example, that will impress friends and family." He adds, "The trick to a great astronomical photo is capturing the right amount of detail and ensuring that the shot is not too bright or too dim. Your iPhone already gives you the ability to capture gleaming objects against a dark background easily, so just make sure to dim the moon by adjusting the exposure so that features like craters are visible and properly exposed. I highly encourage everyone to get a simple telescope and give it a try." Lawyer and photographer by hobby, Huda Bin Redha, says "This has been one of the best photography experiences I've had. Each time I would be surprised seeing how the moon changes night after night down to the sharpest details. It's quite humbling to be able to capture beauty beyond this world." Emirati explorer and photographer enthusiast Jameela Ahli says, "Lunar astrophotography was something new to me. As a person who enjoys the outdoors and appreciates the beauty of nature, this project definitely expanded my horizons. Every phase of the moon offered something different and was a new challenge to find and focus on that one spot that would give me spectacular clarity." Photographers participating in the campaign #ShotoniPhone share their secrets to taking the perfect moon shot using these simple tips. All you need to get set up is your iPhone, a simple telescope and a clear night sky. Tips to shoot stunning close-up moon photos #ShotoniPhone: Step 1: Learn the phases of the moon. It's easier to capture a moon shot during the first quarter of the lunar cycle which is when the moon is half full. Many craters and other interesting features are visible during this phase. Step 2: Find the best time and place to shoot. Make sure you're shooting when there's a clear night sky with little to no light around as that will affect your photos. Consider going in the desert to find a good spot. Step 3: Set up a telescope and line up your iPhone 7 with the eyepiece. Keep one hand free to tweak the settings and fix the angle of your shot. Step 4: Turn off the flash. You won't need it as the moon is bright. Step 5: Tap and hold to lock focus. First you need to ensure that the focus is good through the telescope, then you need to lock in the focus on the phone. This is key to capturing a clear image of the moon. Step 6: Drag to lower exposure. Because the moon is so bright relative to the night sky, the moon will be over-exposed. Manually swipe down to lower the exposure so the moon appears darker. Step 7: Practice. As with most astronomical pursuits, your skills will improve with practice. Don't be discouraged if your first shots are not perfect. You will eventually get your magic shot.
