Photowalk: Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse over Edna, Texas

Join us for a unique nighttime photowalk as we capture the total lunar eclipse on March 13th at The Evermore in Edna, Texas. Away from Houston’s light pollution and urban heat distortion, this location provides clearer skies and an unobstructed view of the Blood Moon.

EVENT DESCRIPTION:

We’ll meet at The Evermore to photograph the total lunar eclipse. The peak of the event will be at 11:50 PM. The moon will turn a stunning reddish hue as it passes through Earth’s shadow, creating a rare celestial photo opportunity.

WHY DRIVE SO FAR AWAY?

While it's true that a total lunar eclipse is bright enough to be seen from almost anywhere, capturing it in Houston comes with challenges. City lights create unwanted glare, air pollution can soften details, and heat rising from roads and buildings can cause subtle distortions that affect image clarity. By heading to Edna, Texas, we escape the worst of these issues, giving us a darker, crisper sky and a clearer view of the Blood Moon’s rich colors and details. Although it's not a completely "Dark Sky" location, it falls into the mid-range between absolute dark and Houston on the Dark Sky scale.

There may be some minor outdoor lighting of the venue, but certainly not the extreme light pollution that affects Houston.

HOTEL DETAILS

Edna, Texas isn't far, but shooting in the middle of the night makes it an overnight stay. Consider booking an overnight stay (to take a nap before and/or after the photowalk).

• $60ish - Jackson Inn - 1131 US HIGHWAY 59 S, Edna, TX, 77957

• $60ish - Americas Best value Inn - 1006 E. Houston Highway, Edna, TX, 77957 (free breakfast)

• $70ish - Texana Inn Edna - 925 West Main Street, Edna, TX, 77957

EXTRA STUFF

Arrive early in Edna to drive out to the location during the daylight so you can see where it's at and plan your shoot, it will be easier than trying to find the location in the dark. Also, take a scenic drive through historic downtown Edna. Edna is home to charming small-town architecture and historical landmarks like the Edna Theatre, making it a great warm-up for night photography before setting up for the eclipse.

Lastly, use your favorite planet tracking apps to find a great landscape or building to photograph the moonrise at 7:10pm, then join us at the venue.

WEATHER - OUR FRENEMY

HoustonPhotowalks is a rain-or-shine kind of group—some of the best images happen in wild and unpredictable weather! That said, this is one of those rare cases where mostly clear skies are actually kind of important.

I (Joe) will be keeping a close watch on the 10-day forecast like a nervous meteorologist before a live broadcast. Unfortunately, I lack the supernatural ability to control the weather (I know, disappointing).

About 3 days prior to the event, I will announce if the weather will likely hamper the success of this event. That will be your GO/NO-GO opportunity to change your RSVP.

• If "Partly Cloudy" or rain is predicted, we will move forward with the event.
• If the prediction says "Cloudy", or "Mostly Cloudy", participants will be offered the option of changing their RSVP to "No" and can request a refund by emailing Joe.

Fingers crossed for clear skies, crisp air, and a perfectly moody Blood Moon!

IMPORTANT INFO:

• This is an overnight event, please check out accommodations in Edna, Texas. There are several hotels of different sizes. I listed some above.
• No driving or parking on the grass at The Evermore. The Evermore is restoring its lawn—if they look over and see anyone parked on the grass, they will make us leave.
• Leave no trace. Take all trash and belongings with you when you leave.

NO FACILITIES AVAILABLE

Restrooms will NOT be accessible at the location, so plan accordingly before you arrive.

WHAT TO BRING:

• Tripod
• Bring your best zoom lens! The moon may look big to the eye, but in photos, it’s surprisingly small. A telephoto lens (200mm or longer) will help capture more detail of the eclipse. If you don't have a long zoom lens, consider renting one from Photo Rental Source in Houston. You will get a discount if you say you are taking the lens to a photowalk with HoustonPhotowalks!
• Shutter release or remote trigger (to minimize vibrations)
• Extra batteries
• A headlamp or flashlight with a red light mode (to preserve night vision)
• Mosquito Wipes (not spray!)

HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH A BLOOD MOON

• Use a Tripod – Prevents blur from camera shake.
• Manual Mode – Control shutter speed, ISO, and aperture.
• Fast Shutter (1/125s - 1/250s) – Prevents motion blur from the moon’s movement.
• Aperture (f/8 - f/11) – Ensures sharpness and clarity.
• Low ISO – To change exposure (bright/dark), adjust ISO rather than Shutter and Aperture, if your image has too much grain, edit it with lightroom.
• Manual Focus – Autofocus struggles in low light; focus on the moon manually. Some people put tape on their lens ring to make sure the focus isn't accidentally changed. If you change the orientation of your camera, touch the camera body, NOT the lens.
• Use a Telephoto Lens – 200mm+ for close-up shots.
• Underexpose Slightly – Preserves lunar details. Over exposure will create a "white blob". If you slightly underexpose, you can lighten later if needed.
• Shoot in RAW – Allows better post-processing adjustments.
• Use a Remote Shutter or Timer – Minimizes vibrations when your finger presses the shutter button.
• If you don't have a Remote Shutter button, get one, they are super cheap for most camera models now (usually under $10 for simple models).
• Bracket Exposures – Capture multiple settings to choose the best.
• Check the Moon’s Path – Apps like PhotoPills or Stellarium help.
• Be mindful of other tripods—if setting up on soft ground, avoid bumping someone else’s setup or stepping near their gear. You may shift the ground around their camera and spoil their image.

A WORD ABOUT APERTURE:

Aperture isn't as critical for moon photography as it is for landscape or portrait shots, since the moon is effectively at "infinity focus." However, it still plays a role in image sharpness and exposure balance.

• Sharpness – Most lenses have a "sweet spot" around f/8 to f/11, producing sharper images with less aberration.
• Light Intake – A wider aperture (f/4 - f/5.6) lets in more light, which can help with lower ISO and faster shutter speeds.
• Diffraction Avoidance – Stopping down too much (f/16+) can introduce diffraction, reducing sharpness.

In short, f/5.6 to f/11 is a safe range, but you can go wider (f/2.8 - f/4) if needed for faster shutter speeds.

PARKING:

Parking is available on The Evermore’s paved lot. Do not park on the grass. If you do, we will be asked to leave, they were very clear about this rule.

ABOUT EDNA, TEXAS:

Founded in 1882, Edna became the county seat after the railroad bypassed the former seat of Texana. It is home to the Edna Theatre, built in 1950, which still showcases classic small-town movie house charm. The historic Texana Presbyterian Church, the county’s oldest public building, also offers unique architectural photo opportunities.

### ABOUT THE EVERMORE, EDNA TEXAS

Nestled in the heart of Texas, The Evermore is a stunning event destination designed for life’s most cherished celebrations. Whether it’s a dream wedding, an unforgettable quinceañera, or a lively community gathering, this beautiful venue provides an elegant and welcoming setting for any special occasion.

While we won’t be touring the venue or their grounds during our evening visit, we are grateful for their generosity in allowing us to use their space for this special night of photography! If you know someone having a special event or wedding, please share The Evermore's link: https://www.theevermorellc.com/

We’re excited to capture this rare celestial event with you—see you under the stars! 🌙✨

RSVP AND PAYMENT INFO:

• If you need to change your RSVP, please post a comment below so others know a spot has opened up.
• Rain or shine, no refunds, no transfers.
• See our FAQ webpage for Payment, RSVP, and other questions.
• Organizers may not see emails/texts/comments during events.