In the pre-dawn hours of Wednesday,  October 8, 2014, the sun, Earth and moon will align perfectly, creating a total lunar eclipse. As a result, the moon will appear to be a copper-red color, creating a unique opportunity to photograph the night sky. 

Discover how you can capture high-quality images of the total lunar eclipse with these tips and tricks courtesy of  Canon. 

·         Invest in a tripod to reduce camera shake during long exposure times. A general rule of thumb in photography is to use a tripod if your shutter speed is slower than the focal length of your lens.

·         Make sure your ISO setting, which controls your camera’s sensitivity to light, is set high so the minimal lighting of the night sky does not affect your astro-photos.

·         Use a telephoto zoom lens to capture more of the night sky. Canon's EF-S 55-250mm IS STM lens allows astrophotographers of all skill levels to get closer to the moon.

·         The exposure compensation setting also controls the brightness and darkness of a photo. When photographing the night sky, be sure to set your exposure compensation to a low number, in order to capture a clear shot. Try -1, -2, or -3 and see what you like best.  

Learn more about viewing times and locations. The next total lunar eclipse will not occur until April 4, 2015, so don't miss it!

This article was provided by Canon U.S.A via Grey PR for EllenBarone.com. 

Photo by Tomruen via Wikimedia Commons.