Total Solar Eclipse
2017
Monday, 21 Aug 2017
Eclipse Photography
I've taken lots of pretty good eclipse photos in my time, but I decided that the best way to give you this information was to share some of the many links to eclipse photography that are already out there on the web, written by people who have taken much better pictures than my own.
If you REALLY want to take eclipse pictures, look at this first! Photos like this take literally hundreds of hours, and are far outside the ability of anyone who does not have computerized equipment to take hundreds of pictures within only a couple of minutes, plus world-class Photoshop skills to piece them together. If you fit this description, then you're outside the scope of this site already! Otherwise, watch the eclipse and enjoy it! But if you want to give it a shot, read on...
Remember that when you set up your equipment, you have to ensure that there is never any chance that anyone could possibly look through an unfiltered camera lens at the sun! If you're uncomfortable in any way with the technical aspects of filters, f-stops, and quirks of more advanced photography, best to leave this area to the pros, and concentrate yourself on enjoying the visuals of the eclipse. Burn images into your brain that will be better than photos, and will last the rest of your life!
· DO NOT USE A FLASH OF ANY KIND! You will ruin the dark adaptation of everyone's eyes, and will spoil the show for them all!!
· Use a tripod and an autowinder if you have one - if you don't have them, buy them!
· Use a long enough lens that you'll actually see something - standard point-and-shoot cameras will make the sun's image way too small
· Don't forget to take some grab shots of the horizon and the crowd going nuts during totality
· Set up a video camera and let it run during totality, so you can always relive the foolish things you screamed during totality!
· Change ALL your equipment's batteries 45 minutes before totality so you don't run out!
· Charge everything up the night before
· DO NOT USE A FLASH OF ANY KIND! You will ruin the dark adaptation of everyone's eyes, and will spoil the show for them all!!
· Remember that when totality hits, you will lose your ability to think clearly - keep it simple!
· Check out the exposures you should use from all the info on the sites below
· Bring small white washcloths to put over each of your cameras so they don't get hot from sitting in the direct sun
· Use filters before and after totality, and don't forget to remove them (especially on the video camera) at second contact when totality starts! (attach them with strings so you can just flip them off the lens and they won't fly away)
· Pre-focus all your cameras on the full moon two weeks before the eclipse, and tape down the lenses to their focused setting with duct tape
· DO NOT USE A FLASH OF ANY KIND! You will ruin the dark adaptation of everyone's eyes, and will spoil the show for them all!!
· Test everything beforehand until you can do it all in your sleep, and then test it again
· Think of anything that can go wrong, and plan for it
· Make a checklist of everything you'll need, and check that you've packed everything before you leave home
· See what other people have done, and try to do better/different/your own thing
· Don't forget the binoculars at home - they are the best eclipse viewing tool! (Don't forget filters for them, too)
· Enjoy your own unique experience, and enjoy the fact that you've shared it with so many new friends
· DO NOT USE A FLASH OF ANY KIND! You will ruin the dark adaptation of everyone's eyes, and will spoil the show for them all!!
REMEMBER TO USE FILTERS while the eclipse is not total, and DON'T use filters while the eclipse is total. DURING TOTALITY ONLY, it is perfectly safe to look directly at the FULLY eclipsed sun! If you do not have proper filters for your camera equipment, then DO NOT attempt to take pictures of the eclipse!
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Eclipse2017.org is soliciting assistance from interested individuals who may want to act as local providers of video feeds, photos, webcasts, site surveys, etc., on and before eclipse day. Contact us if you're willing to help! |
