How to Take Great Pictures of UFOs and Objects in the Sky — Day or Night

Introduction

Ever seen something strange in the sky — a light, a shape, an object — and reached for your phone, only to end up with a blurry, useless photo?

Capturing high-quality images of aerial phenomena is tricky — but with a little knowledge and preparation, you can dramatically improve your chances of getting photos worth sharing and analyzing.

Here’s how to photograph objects in the sky — both during the day and at night — like an investigator.

📸 General Tips for Any Sky Photography

✅ Keep your lens clean.

Sky shots highlight dust and smudges. Wipe your lens with a microfiber cloth.

✅ Use both eyes.

Don’t lose track of the object while fiddling with your camera. One eye on the sky, one on your screen.

✅ Hold steady.

Brace against something if possible. Use two hands. Minimize camera shake — especially important with zoom.

✅ Shoot video AND photos.

Video shows motion and timing; photos often capture more detail. Do both if you can.

🌞 Daytime Sky Photography Tips

Daylight gives you one big advantage: light. But it also creates glare and contrast problems.

1️⃣ Use manual focus if possible

Many phones and cameras will try to focus on clouds or distant haze — NOT on the object. Lock focus on the object if you can.

2️⃣ Adjust exposure

If the object is reflective, tap to lower exposure (on phone screens) — otherwise it will blow out to pure white.

3️⃣ Polarizing filter (for DSLR / advanced users)

Cuts glare and deepens sky color — makes objects stand out better.

4️⃣ Avoid digital zoom

Use optical zoom (built-in lens) if available. Digital zoom reduces quality fast.

🌙 Night Sky Photography Tips

Night shots are harder — but they’re also where most UFO sightings happen.

1️⃣ Stabilize your camera

Tripod is ideal. If not, brace on a wall, car, or fence. Handheld night sky shots blur very easily.

2️⃣ Manual or "pro" mode

If your phone has a “pro” or “manual” mode:

• Set ISO high (800–3200 for most phones)

• Shutter speed: 1/4 to 1/30 sec (longer = more light but more motion blur)

• Focus: manual if available, or lock on object

3️⃣ Don’t zoom too much

Better to shoot wider and crop later — zooming at night often results in grainy, unusable images.

4️⃣ Use a fast burst

If the object is moving fast, try burst mode — you may catch a clearer frame in the sequence.

🎥 Video Tips (Day & Night)

✅ Use 60 fps if available — smoother motion capture.

✅ Pan SLOWLY — fast panning ruins video.

✅ If stationary, try to hold the camera still and let the object move through the frame.

✅ Narrate with voice — note time, direction, visual details.

⚠️ What NOT to Do

🚫 Don’t zoom way in digitally — better to crop later.

🚫 Don’t pan wildly — keep the object in frame as steadily as possible.

🚫 Don’t forget context — get some wider shots to show location, horizon, reference points.

🛠️ Useful Gear

• Smartphone tripod — $20–30, small, portable

• Binoculars — for spotting

• DSLR or mirrorless camera (if serious) with 50mm–200mm lens

• Polarizing filter (for day sky)

Conclusion

UFO photography is part luck, part skill — but being prepared gives you an edge.

Whether it’s daylight discs or mysterious lights in the night sky, knowing how to photograph objects clearly is what separates real evidence from blurry blobs.

Have a photo of your own?👉 Share it on the 918 BOARD — or tag us on Instagram @the918files! We love seeing Arizona skywatchers out there.

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