People living across the continental U.S. will012 Archivesa chance to see a total solar eclipse for the first time in 99 years next week on Aug. 21, so you might be thinking about taking some pics.
An event of this scale won't happen again until 2316 so it's understandable to want to whip out your iPhone and start shooting. (Another total solar eclipse will take place in 2024, but it won't cross the entire contiguous U.S., like this one.) Slow down, though. There are some things you should think about before you point your smartphone skyward and start snapping away. After all, you shouldn't even be looking at the eclipse with your naked eye.
SEE ALSO: Neil deGrasse Tyson on all things Great American EclipseIf you’re going to photograph the eclipse on your smartphone, no need to worry about getting a solar filter to protect the camera. Your phone’s lens doesn't have enough magnification to harm the sensor because it's wide angle. The downside of this of course is that the eclipse will be tiny in the frame. Think of the times you’ve tried to take a photo of the moon on your phone, the eclipse will be the same size.
The moon passes in front of the sun, creating a solar eclipse visible in the southern hemisphere, seen from from Sao Paulo, Brazil Solar Eclipse, Sao Paulo, Brazil in February of 2017. Credit: AP/REX/Shutterstock Determined to use your phone to photograph? There are myriad lenses you can use to enhance your phone's abilities. If you are going to buy a mobile zoom lens it might be worth finding an extra pair of eclipse glasses or a filter to protect the sensor since you will be working with stronger magnification. A tripod is a great piece of gear to have as well -- it will make sure there isn’t any shake from your hand, and you can easily set it up to shoot a time-lapse and not have to think about it, giving you more time to enjoy watching.
Unlike shooting with a phone, any non-phone camera needs a specialized filter. You might be able to find some online still or by hunting through a local photo store. If you’re in a pinch a sheet of No. 14 welder's glass might work.
You’ll need to buy a long lens that’s at least 300mm to get a clear, detailed shot of the corona as well as a tripod and remote or cord shutter release.
Like your phone, though, the best image possible won’t come from the lens that comes with your DSLR. You’ll need to buy a long lens that’s at least 300mm to get a clear, detailed shot of the corona as well as a tripod and remote or cord shutter release. The tripod and shutter release will minimize camera shake which will be much worse with a long lens. If you’re thinking about doing a time-lapse with a DSLR, get an intervalometer -- that way you won’t move the frame accidentally and you don’t need to remember to press the shutter every few seconds.
Regardless of how you want to shoot the eclipse, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Scout out a location this weekend so you have a game plan, check what time totality is happening where you are and make sure you have a clear view of the sun from where you want to shoot. If the sun is hidden behind a tree or building this weekend, it will be on Monday too. Take photos of the moon with whatever camera and lens you’re planing on using to see how large the eclipse will be in your frame.
Think about what photographs will capture the moment best. The moment of totality might be the most obvious thing to photograph, but it might not be the best. There will be countless photographs online and in print of the moon's journey across the sun’s path taken by professional photographers for large publications. Photographs of the things happening around the eclipse, the people you’re with watching in awe or the huge crowd gathered will be more interesting years from now. Keep in mind that, as with a lot of events, the most interesting imagery isn’t going to be the thing itself, the image might be what’s behind you.
Most importantly, don’t worry too much about getting a great shot, just enjoy the damn thing!
Best soundbar deal: Save $300 on the Sonos Arc
Read Adam LeFevre’s “Ethics,” A Poem About a Pet Brick
Cheddar, Cheever, and the Burbs
Murakami’s “Kafka on the Shore” Comes to the Stage
Today's Hurdle hints and answers for May 12, 2025
Our Ongoing Battle with Jetlag
Staff Picks: Baseball Cards, Barbarian Days, Blow
Hunter S. Thompson Rides with the Hells Angels
The Made in America iPhone: How much would it cost?
The Misanthrophy of R. S. Thomas
SpaceX's Starlink satellite launch in pictures
Looking at Vermeer’s Paintings in Manhattan
A Brief History of African Americans in Opera
Remembering Nabokov as an American Writer
Best iPad deal: Save $132 on Apple iPad (10th Gen)
A Partial List of Things to Dread About Spa Treatments
Staff Picks: Amy Gerstler, Barton Swaim, Matthew Gavin Frank
Five Photographs by Ellen Auerbach
Today's Hurdle hints and answers for May 9, 2025
Staff Picks: Baseball Cards, Barbarian Days, Blow
Lil Nas X is serving 'Industry Baby' on Twitter with a side of truthGwyneth Paltrow's Goop suggests you use coffee to clean your poop chute. Don't.Finally, now you can pay for Tumblr posts with Tumblr Post+Here's what Ariana Grande texted Millie Bobby Brown before the Golden GlobesLG's rollable OLED TV comes to the U.S. with $100,000 price tagWho will die on 'The White Lotus'?Jeff Bezos' space launch inspired lots of memes and dick jokesHubble spots a galaxy warped and magnified by intense gravity'The White Lotus' is a captivating comedy of social violenceHere's what Ariana Grande texted Millie Bobby Brown before the Golden GlobesHere's what Ariana Grande texted Millie Bobby Brown before the Golden GlobesHockey player tells his dad he made the Olympics in heartwarming videoHockey player tells his dad he made the Olympics in heartwarming videoHow to connect AirPods to Apple TVWhat are Yats? They have investors paying $$$ to 'own' emoji.How to connect AirPods to Apple TVApple's iOS 14.7 has an annoying bug for some Apple Watch ownersEveryone's an MVP in heartwarming 'Ted Lasso' Season 2Wolff, Bannon, 'Fire and Fury' publisher get cease and desist lettersThe U.S. and allies formally accuse China of cyber espionage Motorcyclist takes global adventure after ex 'The Handmaid’s Tale' is a huge moment for Hulu that will hit you hard It's really hard to hate on 'Counter Best father ever creates unbelievable cardboard armor for his son This gorgeous bezel This story about a pilot looking after a baby is simply adorable This 'Game of Thrones' theory generator will keep you busy until July PlayStation Vue gets its very own 24/7 esports channel Forget 'Lean In' circles — join Sheryl Sandberg's 'Option B' groups Twitter has had a dislike button for months and you didn’t notice First look at the Lexus LIT IS sedan covered in 41,999 LEDs Netflix and 'Twin Peaks' got into Cannes, there goes the neighborhood 'Chappelle Show' star Charlie Murphy dies at 57 Twitter doesn't hate Jude Law as young Dumbledore, which is good news for WB Apple could soon make selfies way more noisy Sorry Tesla, but the Lucid Air is way more luxurious and spacious 'Veep' cut a 'golden showers' joke because of Trump Easter comes to 'Pokémon GO' with egg Guy builds a thrill ride that spins faster if you aren't scared enough Face it: Smartwatches are totally doomed
1.7365s , 10132.6640625 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【2012 Archives】,Feast Information Network