rss-bridge 2026-02-26T14:00:00+00:00

7 easy tips for photographing the 'blood moon' total lunar eclipse on March 3

published

26 February 2026

Tips for capturing the total lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026, from knowing what to expect and finding clear skies to using mirrorless cameras and smartphones

[a person hold up a phone to take a photo of a total lunar eclipse occurring above a hills with city lights below.]

Total lunar eclipse captured from Valença, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 27, 2018.

(Image credit: Igor Alecsander via Getty Images)

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On the night of March 3, 2026, skywatchers across the U.S. will be treated to a total lunar eclipse — the only one until the end of 2028. During this "blood moon," the full moon will pass through Earth's shadow and glow a rich coppery red for nearly an hour. It's a beautiful and accessible celestial event — and one that anyone can photograph with a little planning.

You don't need advanced gear to photograph a lunar eclipse. What matters more is being ready: knowing when it happens, where to look, and how to adapt your camera or smartphone to changing light. Whether you're snapping on a smartphone or setting up a carefully composed telephoto shot, the most important things are timing, location, and focus. So check your sky, prep your settings, and make it an early morning worth remembering.

1. Get the exact time and schedule for your location

The only total lunar eclipse of 2026 — and the last until New Year's Eve 2028-2029 — will take place at the same global time, 08:44 and 14:22 GMT on Tuesday, March 3. It will be best seen in western North America, the Pacific, New Zealand, Australia and East Asia. Totality — the most photogenic part, when the moon will be completely reddish — takes place at these times:

Eastern time: 6:04-7:02 a.m. EST on March 3, 2026 (the moon will set during totality in the Eastern time zone)
Central time: 5:04-6:02 a.m. CST on March 3, 2026
Mountain time: 4:04-5:02 a.m. MST on March 3, 2026
Pacific time: 3:04-4:02 a.m PST on March 3, 2026
Alaska time: 2:04-3:02 a.m. AKST on March 3, 2026
Hawaii time: 1:04-2:02 a.m. HST on March 3, 2026

Although totality is the headline act, there are partial and penumbral phases on either side, which together make the event last over five hours. Visit Time and Date to get a schedule for your location, which will also include where the moon will be in the sky to help you plan your shot.

2. Go west for the best views

[blood red moon against a black background the lower left of the moon is a lighter shade of red.]

Total lunar eclipse captured from Germany on Sept. 7, 2026. The main image you'll want is of a totally eclipsed moon. (Image credit: fhm via Getty Images)

U.S. states in the east won't have a great view, with the moon setting during totality — a frustrating sight. The farther west you head, the better the view will be, with the West Coast a better option than the Midwest. Although the majority of the eclipse will be visible from Chicago, for example, the moon will set just 20 minutes after totality ends, meaning totality will be viewed close to the western horizon. Even in the western U.S., the moon will be low in the western sky during totality, so it's vital to find a site with an unobstructed view to the west. Elevated spots and open fields are wise choices, as is scouting your location a few days beforehand so you know what to expect.

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3. Check the climate, then the weather

Cloud cover is the biggest threat to all kinds of eclipse photography, and in early March, it's likely to be a huge consideration. According to historical cloud cover data (which you can check for any location using NASA Worldview), the clearest skies in the U.S. are typically found in the southwestern U.S., making Arizona and California theoretically the best places to be. However, climate is only useful in pre-planning; from about three days out, use weather apps like Windy and Clear Outside to track local forecasts for cloud cover. If you can, have wheels so you can relocate if your original spot is looking cloudy a day or two before.

4. Practice focusing a camera on the moon

[multiple exposures of a total lunar eclipse with varying stages showing the moon turn progressively more red.]

*One option is a collage of shots from different stages of the eclipse, like this one captured from Japan during an eclipse on Nov. 8, 2022. (Image credit: Copyright Crezalyn Nerona Uratsuji via Getty Images)*

If you've never imaged the moon before, read up on how to photograph the moon using a camera and practice — it will make all the difference. If you're using a long lens (200-600mm), try auto-focus on the moon, but also manual focus, using 'live view' to magnify the moon. Make adjustments and, if you want, mark the exact point on the focus wheel. You can do the same for a wide-angle lens, though turning to the infinity icon (∞) on the dial may suffice. Adjust the focus until it's sharp as a tack — blurry totality images are so common and so disappointing.

After the first-quarter moon on February 24, there will be a bright moon in the south and southeast after sunset each night through the eclipse in March. 3. It will get brighter every night; use any clear skies to practice.

5. Adjust exposure throughout the eclipse

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