Photography enables us to capture dynamic memories and rare, amazing phenomena. Let us refresh on a few things about a solar eclipse to understand the object of our photography. There are two solar eclipses in a year on average. These can be observed from select places across the world. This comes about when the moon goes between the earth and the center of the sun. A solar eclipse is very different from a lunar eclipse.
You can observe a lunar eclipse just by looking at it directly. A solar eclipse requires protection in the form of solar filters for your eyes and your gear. There is a short time when the moon prevents the sun from coming through to earth. This is called a total solar eclipse. It is rarely visible from dry land. A total solar eclipse is anticipated to be visible to most of the people in mainland US on August 21, 2017. The total solar eclipse is expected to happen for more than one and a half hours.
NASA has dedicated a portal to the 2017 total solar eclipse. Check it out to get insightful information to ensure you enjoy the amazing phenomenon.
How do you photograph the solar eclipse? Experienced photographers such as Noelle Neff will tell you that safety comes first. He recommends you ensure you are comfortable. Protect yourself and your equipment from the harmful effects of intense, direct sunlight. Get eclipse glasses for your eyes as well as solar filters for your gear. Use a tripod if you need to support your equipment for stability.
Plan and prepare for the event. Stock up on additional memory cards and batteries for your cameras and devices. Take dry runs. Practice taking shots as if it’s on the day itself. Get familiar with the locality you will setup. This also enables you to evaluate lighting patterns around your proposed setup point. Experiment with different exposure levels to get the best settings. Make sure your solar filters work and secure firmly and quickly to your cameras.
Discover how to tweak and tune your camera to give you the best in different scenarios. Set your camera to a delayed shutter setting. If your setup comes with a zoom lens, now is the time to practice using it. Also, if you plan to take commercial grade photos, a good lens would be a worthy investment.
Try to get an unobstructed, clear line of sight with a clear sky. There is a moment during the total eclipse when it is safe to use your naked eyes and your gear uncovered.
Also, remember to enjoy the moment by looking at it. The best camera is your eyes. Be aware of the atmosphere around you that the phenomenon has generated. Some of the most popular photos may also come from the human element.
During the actual moment, increase your camera’s shutter speed. Go for a small aperture. Use raw file formats as opposed to compressed file formats on your digital photography devices. This empowers you with robust image files, which you can edit and share with your friends.
