That's a tricky set of questions…
The strategies are many but here are some tips:
The moon is reflecting +/- 18-21 % of the sunlight. although this looks not much, it is
a lot more light than all that comes from the rest of the cosmos added all together!
My best moon shots (this does mean the ones I like but the ones that sold most often!)
• were systematically takes at dusk or dawn (where the moon may appear a lot bigger),
• quite low, where I may compose the moon with some land (mountains, waters, forests,
and the ever beautiful clouds/fog, etc),
• better full or first/last crescent,
• Aperture Priority,
• matrix metering,
• ƒ8-11,
• min. 1/30 s. (the faster the better) adjust ISO which is of lesser importance, lower is better,
• 200 to 800mm lens, (I shot mine between 500 and 800mm)
• focus at the horizon plus a tad or the moon minus a tad.
Granted, there will be some fiddling required depending on the conditions (and they are never
the same!) but don't wait until it's too dark… unless you want a pitch black sky!
Have a good time!