How to photograph tonight's super moon lunar eclipse

Space is offering up a pretty spectacular sight tonight with a full moon passing through its closest point to Earth.

An extra special treat - a lunar eclipse - means it will be bathed in a deep reddish glow.

There have been several super moons this year, but according to NASA this one will be the "most super".

You won't need any equipment to see the spectacle - just step outside.

However, getting a more permanent keepsake of super moons can be a little tricky, so ABC's The Drum brought in some help.

Colin Lucas took up photography in his teens, borrowing his dad's SLR film camera to snap his friends surfing and skating.

He has now turned that passion into a career in the photographic industry and he shares his incredible snaps online.

"I am mainly drawn to photography as a way to document interesting things in my life," he told The Drum.

Like many, he'll be heading out this Wednesday evening to grab a picture of the super moon.

But before he does, he is sharing some of his key tips for those wanting to do the same.

The essentials

You will need a stable space to take the photo, Lucas says. While it is possible to take a clear photo while holding a camera, it is a much easier venture with a stabiliser such as a tripod.

Understanding the time of day is also important. You will likely need to adjust the camera settings as the evening progresses.

"When the Moon starts rising full on Wednesday, around sunset, it will be quite bright at first," Lucas says.

As the full eclipse occurs, the Moon will become redder and darker and you'll likely need to adjust your camera settings to allow more light in.

That involves increasing lens aperture, increasing the ISO and keeping shutter speeds fast (Lucas recommends 1/500th a second).

There are no exact settings for each situation. You'll have to find the right balance of each of these elements for different subjects, Lucas says.

The don'ts

These are pretty straightforward.

Avoid using automatic settings. Where possible, Lucas says, pop whatever camera you have in manual mode and adjust it as needed.

And while it might be tempting, avoid using the flash. It won't work in this case.

Secrets for the perfect shot

Perspective is key, Lucas says.

The easiest way to show the sheer size of this or any super moon is to find some foreground. This will give the photo some scale.

Take this photo for example:

Lucas says he didn't have a super-telephoto lens (i.e. mega zoom) handy for this particular picture, but he was still able to show off the size of the super moon by contrasting it against the small houses and buildings dotted in the landscape below.

For darker imagery, silhouettes can add another interesting dimension to the photo.

This is easiest to achieve this is when the Moon is lower earlier on in the evening.

Find a shape in the foreground between yourself and the Moon to create the shadowy figure. And Lucas says if possible, choose the longest lens on hand.

Using a smartphone

More advanced cameras will get more advanced photos like Lucas's. But for those unable to get a hold of such a camera a smartphone will do.

There is a range of tutorials on the internet tailored to the make and model of your handheld device. However, there are several tips that apply across the board:

• Go hands free. Even the steadiest of grips may result in a blurry image. Lock in autofocus, set a timer and step away
• Shoot early (or late). The brighter the Moon is, the more difficult it is for smartphones to deal with the exposure and capture a crisp photo. Look at getting a shot either just as the Moon rises or just before it sets
• Use a wide-angle lens option to add some depth to your photos
• Check out the app store for add-ons. There are a range of apps designed to add more power to your smartphone camera

- ABC