Science · Technology · UFO ·

UFO Photography Tips That Actually Work

A brilliant light zips across the night sky, changing direction at impossible angles. You scramble for your phone, fumble with the camera app, and finally snap a photo. The result? A tiny, blurry dot that could be anything—or nothing at all.

If this scenario sounds familiar, you're not alone. Despite remarkable advances in camera technology, UFO photographs remain notoriously difficult to capture with clarity. There's a reason why "why are UFO photos always blurry?" has become a running joke in both skeptical and believing circles.

But it doesn't have to be this way. With the right equipment, settings, and techniques, you can significantly improve your chances of documenting these elusive phenomena in a credible way.

Why UFO Photography Is So Challenging

Before diving into specific techniques, it's important to understand what makes photographing UFOs particularly difficult:

"One of the reasons I think we have no excellent images of UFOs is that the best UFO encounters are so mesmerizing and spectacular that a pic is the last thing people are thinking about," explains one experienced observer. When faced with something potentially world-changing hovering above you, your photography skills often take a backseat to pure astonishment.

Beyond the psychological impact, UFO photography presents a perfect storm of technical challenges:

Unexpected encounters: Most sightings happen spontaneously, giving witnesses little time to prepare their equipment.
Distance and speed: UFOs are typically spotted far away and often move with extraordinary velocity.
Low-light conditions: Many sightings occur at night when photography is already challenging.
Equipment interference: Some witnesses report electronic malfunctions near UFOs.

A veteran UFO researcher once told me, "It's like trying to photograph a bullet in the dark while riding a roller coaster—after being surprised by the bullet."

Equipment Selection: From Pocket to Professional

The Camera Hierarchy

The best camera for UFO photography is ultimately the one you have with you when a sighting occurs. However, understanding the strengths and limitations of different options is crucial:

Smartphones

Despite their limitations, smartphones offer one significant advantage: they're almost always with you. To maximize your chances of success:

Position your camera app on your home screen for quick access
Learn your phone's camera shortcuts (like double-pressing the power button)
Pre-set to night mode if available
Clean your lens regularly
Avoid using digital zoom (crop later instead)

As one photography expert explains: "Smartphone limitations include startup delay, small sensors that struggle in low light, and digital zoom that degrades image quality. But the best UFO photo is one you actually get, not the one you wish you'd taken with better equipment."

Point-and-Shoot Cameras

A step up from smartphones, these dedicated cameras offer:

Better optical zoom
Faster startup times
Longer battery life

They still suffer in low-light conditions, however, making them a middle-ground option.

DSLRs and Mirrorless Cameras

For serious UFO hunters, these professional-grade cameras provide:

Superior image quality
Full manual control
Excellent low-light performance
Interchangeable lenses

"The trade-off is bulk and complexity," notes one photographer. "You're less likely to have a DSLR with you during a random sighting, and even if you do, the settings need to be right—fast."

Lens Strategy: Seeing What Others Miss

If you're using an interchangeable lens camera, your choice of glass significantly impacts your results:

Prime Lenses

Fixed focal length lenses offer advantages for UFO photography:

Better image quality and larger maximum apertures
Simplifies decision-making during high-stress encounters
Forces you to learn proper framing at a specific focal length

The research suggests 23mm and 50mm as particularly useful focal lengths. As one experienced UFO photographer explains, "When you consistently use the same focal length, you become aware of what your frame will look like even before raising your camera to your eye."

Zoom Lenses

While prime lenses have their benefits, a 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom provides flexibility to adjust for different distances. The downside? More decisions to make in the moment, and potentially slower maximum apertures.

Essential Accessories

Beyond the camera itself, several accessories dramatically improve your UFO photography capabilities:

Tripod: Essential for stability during long exposures and when using telephoto lenses.
Extra batteries: UFO sightings have been associated with power drains.
Fast memory cards: Ensures you don't miss shots due to buffer limitations.
Quick-access bag: Every second counts during a sighting.

As one field researcher notes, "Comfortable shoes are almost as important as your camera gear! In a day of sky watching, I can easily cover 10 to 15 kilometers."

Camera Settings: Technical Setup for the Unknown

The Exposure Triangle

Even professional photographers can struggle with the unique exposure challenges of UFO photography. Here's how to optimize each element:

Shutter Speed

The CIA's declassified UFO photography guidelines recommend "shutter speeds not slower than one hundredth of a second." Modern recommendations suggest 1/15s, 1/30s, 1/60s, or 1/125s.

Why these specific speeds? One photographer explains: "UFOs, much like LED signs, often show bars or lines in photos because they're constantly refreshing. Slowing down the shutter speed fixes this problem by giving their energy fields time to synchronize with your sensor."

For daytime sightings, faster shutter speeds (1/500s or higher) may be necessary to freeze rapid movement.

Aperture

Use the widest aperture your lens allows (lowest f-number, like f/2.8 or lower) to gather maximum light. This is particularly important for night photography.

ISO

Set the lowest ISO possible for the conditions to minimize noise. For night photography, a higher ISO will be necessary (800-3200 range), but today's cameras handle this much better than older models.

Focus: The Most Critical Element

Perhaps the most crucial aspect of UFO photography is achieving proper focus:

Set to infinity: The CIA specifically recommends having your "camera set at infinity" for UFO photography.
Use manual focus: Autofocus often fails in low light or with distant objects.
Pre-focus technique: Focus on a distant object like the moon before scanning the sky.

As one UFO photographer explains, "Make sure to have your camera settings prepared before anything happens. You don't want to be fumbling around with your camera when the moment arrives."

Exposure Modes

Manual mode: Provides complete control but requires experience
Aperture priority: Set your aperture wide open and let the camera determine shutter speed
Shutter priority: Set your desired shutter speed and let the camera adjust the rest

One experienced photographer advises: "Aperture priority mode is pretty much ideal for me. In addition, I use Auto ISO to make sure that my shutter speed is fast enough."

Field Techniques: The LARP Principle

After analyzing decades of UFO photography attempts, I've identified what I call the LARP principle—a simple framework that dramatically improves your chances of capturing credible images:

L - Location: Strategic Positioning and Documentation

Record exactly where you are (GPS coordinates if possible)
Note the direction you're facing when shooting
Document environmental context (weather conditions, nearby landmarks)

A - Angles: Multiple Perspective Capture

Take photos from different positions
Follow the CIA recommendation for 360-degree documentation
Vary your elevation if possible

R - References: Including Context Elements

Include foreground objects for scale whenever possible
Keep the horizon visible in at least some shots
Capture known objects near the UFO for comparison

P - Persistence: Continuous Documentation Methods

Keep shooting until the object disappears
Alternate between video and still photography if possible
Try different settings if time permits

"Taking multiple photos from different angles not only increases your chances of getting a good shot," explains one researcher, "it also significantly enhances the credibility of your documentation."

Beyond the Image: Complete Documentation

A comprehensive UFO report requires more than just photos:

Time and date: Be as precise as possible
Location: GPS coordinates are ideal
Weather conditions: Cloud cover, precipitation, wind
Duration: How long the sighting lasted
Movement patterns: How the object moved
Witness information: Names and contact details of others present

As one investigator puts it: "Photos are important, but context is what transforms a blob of light into a potentially significant case."

Consider supplementing your visual documentation with:

Voice recordings during the sighting
Written notes immediately after
Field sketches showing movement patterns
Multiple witness statements (if available)

Identifying What You're Actually Seeing

Before reporting a UFO, it's important to rule out common misidentifications:

Natural Phenomena

Lenticular clouds: These stationary, lens-shaped clouds often resemble the classic flying saucer
Ball lightning: Rare electrical phenomenon that appears as glowing, electric-blue spheres
Sundogs: Bright spots that appear on either side of the sun due to light refraction

Human-Made Objects

Aircraft: Commercial planes, military aircraft (especially at unusual angles)
Drones: Increasingly common and capable of unusual flight patterns
Satellites: Moving steadily across the night sky
Chinese lanterns: Popular at celebrations, these produce steady orange lights

Astronomical Objects

Venus: The most frequently misidentified "UFO"
Jupiter and Sirius: Very bright celestial objects
Meteors: Fast-moving streaks across the sky
Iridium flares: Satellites reflecting sunlight in brief, bright flashes

"Venus is one of the most confused objects in the sky," notes one astronomical researcher, "especially when it is low to the horizon."

Genuine UAP/UFOs often display characteristics that distinguish them from conventional explanations:

Sudden changes in direction
Acceleration beyond known aircraft capabilities
No visible propulsion
Unusual light patterns
Interaction with the environment

Technical Solutions to Common Problems

Combating Blurry Images

The number one issue in UFO photography is blur. Combat this with:

Stabilization: Use a tripod whenever possible
Bracing techniques: If no tripod is available, brace against a solid object
Burst mode: Increases your chances of getting at least one sharp image
Image stacking: Software that combines multiple images can reduce noise and increase detail

Overcoming Exposure Difficulties

Bright, unusual lights can fool your camera's meter:

Exposure compensation: Try -1 to -3 stops to prevent washout
Spot metering: Meter directly on the object rather than the entire scene
Bracketing: Take multiple photos at different exposure levels

Tracking Fast-Moving Objects

Predictive movement: Anticipate the object's path
Wide-to-narrow approach: Start with a wider angle to locate, then zoom in
Burst mode: Capture a rapid sequence of images
Panning technique: Follow the movement smoothly with your camera

Analysis and Verification

After capturing potential UFO images, responsible analysis is crucial:

Post-Processing Best Practices

Minimal editing preserves credibility
Document all modifications made to images
Preserve original files
Look for consistency across multiple images

"The quickest way to undermine your credibility is to over-process your images," warns one investigator. "Let the photos speak for themselves."

Scientific Analysis Approaches

For potentially significant images, consider:

Pixel-level examination
Light and shadow verification
Motion blur analysis for speed estimation
Metadata authentication

Red Flags and Authentication Checks

Be aware of signs that might indicate a hoax or misidentification:

Perfect clarity when conditions would suggest otherwise
Inconsistent lighting or shadows
Perfect "classic" UFO shape
No corroborating witnesses

Reporting Your Findings

Once you've documented and analyzed your sighting, consider reporting it through established channels:

MUFON (Mutual UFO Network): Largest civilian UFO investigation organization
NUFORC (National UFO Reporting Center): Specializes in documenting sightings
Enigma Labs: New data science approach to UFO reporting via mobile app
Local astronomy clubs: Often have expertise in identifying celestial objects

NASA has recently called on the American public to help in the hunt for UFOs, recommending "artificial intelligence and machine learning" as "essential tools for identifying rare occurrences" and suggesting the development of "smartphone-based apps that can gather imaging data."

When reporting, maintain ethical standards:

Respect privacy (especially for unwitting bystanders)
Obtain permission before photographing individuals
Be particularly careful with images involving children
Avoid sensationalizing your experience

Advanced Approaches for Dedicated Observers

For serious UFO hunters, consider:

Automated Monitoring Systems

Time-lapse setups that run continuously
Motion detection cameras that activate when movement is detected
Multiple camera arrays for triangulation

Drone Applications

Drones offer new possibilities for UFO investigation:

Rapid deployment to get closer to sightings
Stable platforms for high-quality cameras
Access to altitudes not possible on foot

"While drones can themselves be responsible for many mistaken UFO sightings," notes one researcher, "their value as a platform to photograph unidentified flying objects cannot be understated."

Location Strategies

Some locations have historically higher rates of UFO sightings:

Areas near military installations
Remote regions with minimal light pollution
Mountain regions and high-altitude locations
Power plants and electrical facilities

As one investigator observed, UFOs are frequently reported near "power lines and reservoirs" for reasons that remain unclear.

The Psychology of UFO Photography

Understanding the psychological aspects of UFO photography is important:

The excitement of a sighting can affect your ability to operate equipment
People tend to see what they want or expect to see (confirmation bias)
Memory can be unreliable immediately following extraordinary events
The "frequency illusion" can make ordinary objects seem extraordinary after learning about UFOs

Cultural context also shapes how we interpret unusual aerial phenomena:

In the 1950s, Cold War tensions influenced UFO perceptions
Today, advanced drones and military technology create new ambiguities
Media depictions shape what people expect UFOs to look like

One historian notes, "When you're looking for something in particular, that is what you'll see."

Creative Approaches

Beyond documentary evidence, some photographers explore artistic interpretations:

Light Painting and Long Exposure

Light painting techniques can visualize UFO encounters
Long exposures with moving lights create striking effects
Multiple exposure photography layers reality and interpretation

Tabletop UFO Photography

For those interested in creating UFO imagery:

Scale models and dioramas can create realistic scenes
LED lighting simulates UFO effects
Smoke and atmospheric effects add realism

"I love the theme of science fiction," explains one creative photographer, "so I always have these ideas about flying UFOs and houses in the middle of nowhere that aliens show an interest in as they try to take over a new planet."

These creative approaches, while clearly not documentary evidence, allow for artistic expression of the UFO experience through photo manipulation.

The enduring mystery of UFOs continues to capture our imagination. Despite technological advances, capturing compelling UFO photographs remains challenging. The fleeting nature of sightings, technical limitations of photography, and the psychological impact of witnessing something potentially extraordinary all contribute to the difficulty.

By following the techniques outlined in this guide, you'll be better prepared to document any unusual aerial phenomena you encounter. Remember that the best UFO photograph is one that provides context, clarity, and credibility—regardless of what the object ultimately proves to be.

As our technology advances and more eyes turn skyward, perhaps the definitive UFO photograph is yet to be taken. With preparation, practice, and persistence, you might be the one to capture it.