Solar Eclipse Photography - Looking for a Few Answers

[Disney Dreams]

Hi Everyone,

I was wondering... Is anyone out there is planning on watching / photographing the Annular Solar Eclipse this weekend?

If you have ever photographed an eclipse before, do you have any tips from your experience that you would share?


- Dreams

 

[ThurlFan]

The only thing I have to add is this tip: The image of the eclipse can be captured in the shadow of a leafy tree. Some coworkers and I discovered this years ago during a previous partial eclipse. Looking at the sidewalk in the shade of a tree, we saw an abundance of bright little crescents, as the tiny gaps between the leaves were behaving the same way as the old pinhole-in-cardboard trick. I will be trying to capture this with my camera, as well as perhaps the eclipse itself.

One other thought I have is that the time of day is a bit problematic. The peak of the eclipse will be while the sun is at its highest point in the sky, so you will have to be looking pretty much straight up to capture it, as opposed to the 'super moon' which you could photograph in dramatic fashion on or near the horizon. You will have to really work to find a way to frame it along with landscape features such as trees or tall buildings.

 

[Experiment_626]

Note that this is an annular solar eclipse, not an "annual" one.

Well, I won't be able to see this one, as it won't be visible on the east coast. Also, I read that the eclipse will begin at 5:24 pm PDT, which sounds like it should be fairly low in the sky.

Looks like my next real possibility will come October 23, 2014 -- a partial eclipse near sunset.

And there will be a coast-to-coast total solar eclipse visible in the US in August 2017 (the first such since 1979). It will reach greatest totality over Kentucky, and be visible in South Carolina and perhaps extreme northeast Georgia. I've just discovered this and notified my wife that we WILL travel to see it. I've wanted to see one as long as I can remember. There was one here in 1970, but I was only two years old at that point and couldn't be bothered to look. I suppose I'll have to invest in some sort of solar filter for the camera -- isn't it a given I'll have to try to shoot it as well as see it? See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_August_21,_2017

Another one will go right over my house in August of 2045. I might be around to watch; I'll be 77 if so.

Edit: If you miss the totality in 2017, wait seven years and see if this one works better for you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_April_8,_2024

Scott

 

[photo_chick]

Eye protection. #1 thing. I know so many people who think they don't need it, or think sunglasses will work. Or try to use color film (it has to be silver film). Unless you're at the height of a total eclipse where only the corona is showing you need eye protection. This is, as someone already said, an annular eclipse not a total eclipse. That means that you'll still be able to see a ring of the photosphere around the moon and that will obscure any cool views of the corona or prominences. (thank you Dr. Nila and ASTRO 1445 for teaching me all about eclipses LOL) Anyway, that might effect hwo you choose to capture it. I know it would for me.

NASA has a decent guide that gives a good idea of focal lengths and some exposure guidelines...
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/SEphoto.html

 

[boBQuincy]

First, since this is an annular eclipse there is *no time* when it is safe to look at or photograph the sun without a proper filter. This website has a lot of information on the topic:

http://eclipse2017.org/2017/photographing.HTM

 

[Disney Dreams]

...The image of the eclipse can be captured in the shadow of a leafy tree....

Thanks! I have read quite a bit about this and am going to attempt to do something just like you described.

One other thought I have is that the time of day is a bit problematic. The peak of the eclipse will be while the sun is at its highest point in the sky, so you will have to be looking pretty much straight up to capture it, as opposed to the 'super moon' which you could photograph in dramatic fashion on or near the horizon. You will have to really work to find a way to frame it along with landscape features such as trees or tall buildings.

Actually, this will be occurring just prior to sunset. Most will not even see it completely emerge from the eclipse as it will set before then.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Note that this is an annular solar eclipse, not an "annual" one.

- smacks self on the head -
AWFUL typo to make. Oy. Yes, yes. Annular. Thank you. I am hoping the "ring of fire" will be a amazing as I think it's going to be!

Well, I won't be able to see this one, as it won't be visible on the east coast. Also, I read that the eclipse will begin at 5:24 pm PDT, which sounds like it should be fairly low in the sky.

It will only be a partial annular where I live. I have never seen a full or annular eclipse. My birthday is next week and I am really "into" astronomy. So... I told my husband all I want for my birthday is an overnight trip to UT to see the eclipse. Yep, we're going to the center of it all for - hopefully - an incredible experience. I'm excited! And hoping I can somehow photograph this thing with at least one cool shot. I bought a dark filter yesterday for starters.

...And there will be a coast-to-coast total solar eclipse visible in the US in August 2017 (the first such since 1979). It will reach greatest totality over Kentucky, and be visible in South Carolina and perhaps extreme northeast Georgia. I've just discovered this and notified my wife that we WILL travel to see it. I've wanted to see one as long as I can remember.

So you understand my excitement!

I suppose I'll have to invest in some sort of solar filter for the camera -- isn't it a given I'll have to try to shoot it as well as see it?
Edit: If you miss the totality in 2017, wait seven years and see if this one works better for you: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_April_8,_2024

Scott

And that solar filter is exactly what I bought. Hard to find. And my in-laws made it my birthday gift from them.
Thanks for the link.

NASA has a decent guide that gives a good idea of focal lengths and some exposure guidelines...
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/SEphoto.html

Thanks for the link. I have seen that one and another similar one. I appreciate it.

...Anyway, that might effect hwo you choose to capture it. I know it would for me.
Any thoughts on how you would capture it?

First, since this is an annular eclipse there is *no time* when it is safe to look at or photograph the sun without a proper filter. This website has a lot of information on the topic:

http://eclipse2017.org/2017/photographing.HTM

Very true. We already have our eclipse viewing glasses. $4 from our local telescope store, woohoo!

Thanks everyone for your input. If anyone has an photographic tips for shooting an annular eclipse, I'd love to hear them.

- Dreams

 

[photo_chick]

How would I capture it? I don't have a lens longer than 300mm in my bag and my telescope bit the dust a few years ago so I'd probably just watch this one. A common thing I've seen done is multiple exposures that show the whole event. Another thing I've seen more than a few times is to shoot it as part of a landscape. I have a friend who did multiple exposures with a pinhole camera of a partial eclipse. That was interesting but a bit hit and miss.

You got filters for your eyes, did you remember the filter for your camera?

 

[Experiment_626]

Just a side note ...

The overall purpose of DISboards is to facilitate planning trips to Disney parks (please don't argue this point -- just shut up and go with me here for a moment! ) Therefore, it might be good to point out that the total solar eclipse of August 12, 2045 will, in fact, include WDW property in the path of totality. It's an exceptionally long one, too -- more than five minutes of totality.

I expect the parks will be crowded that day. Might want to book now, or at least start planning! Hey, if you join DVC, you can go at today's rates!

Just for fun, here's a look at the path over the southeast US ... http://www.hermit.org/eclipse/2045-08-12/Graphics/maps/EastUS.gif

SSB

 

[Experiment_626]

How would I capture it? I don't have a lens longer than 300mm in my bag

300mm seems at least reasonable. Could you rent something like a 1.4 teleconverter?

SSB

 

[coloneldebugger]

Looks like the eclipse will happen around sunset for us on the east coast. There was very little chance to see it anyway here.

I posted this shot in another thread. I hope Mickey doesn't mind the repeat.

It's a shot from my MacGyver effort to catch a sunspot. I simply took a pair of eclipse glasses I got at the Air and Space museum and taped them over the lens of my super zoom.

The clarity isn't great, but it was a good enough effort for the spur of the moment.

 

[ThurlFan]

Thanks to those who spotted my error on the time of the eclipse. I believe I was looking at a chart that listed times in UTC

I won't be trying to photograph this one directly, because I don't have the proper filter. I may try to have some fun with pinholes, or maybe just enjoy the show...

 

[Disney Dreams]

...A common thing I've seen done is multiple exposures that show the whole event. Another thing I've seen more than a few times is to shoot it as part of a landscape....You got filters for your eyes, did you remember the filter for your camera?

I think I am going to try to get the multiple exposures concept. I might hand DH the other camera and ask him to try to get some landscape shots. From my research, it can be pretty beautiful. Thanks for the ideas.

Just a side note ...

The overall purpose of DISboards is to facilitate planning trips to Disney parks (please don't argue this point -- just shut up and go with me here for a moment! )

Wow! That was quite rude and completely uncalled for here. This is a photography board under "Just for Fun." Yes, it's the DISBoards, but it is not "illegal" to ask for photo ideas from fellow DISers regarding a photo adventure. I did not post in a WDW, DL, or DCL section, but the "Just for Fun - Photography" section. How extremely rude of you to say, "Shut up...!"
And as for this point...

Therefore, it might be good to point out that the total solar eclipse of August 12, 2045 will, in fact, include WDW property in the path of totality. It's an exceptionally long one, too -- more than five minutes of totality.... Just for fun, here's a look at the path over the southeast US ... http://www.hermit.org/eclipse/2045-08-12/Graphics/maps/EastUS.gif

You seem to be completely unaware that while the eclipse you mention that is 33 years away crosses of WDW, the one that I posted about which is two days away can be viewed from:

• Tokyo Disneyland
• Hong Kong Disneyland
• The site of Shanghai Disneyland
• Disneyland
• AND The Disney Wonder in the Pacific Ocean en route to Alaska on May 20, 2012

so it is QUITE Disney relevant.

If you would like it's path, you can find it at nasa.gov.

...I posted this shot in another thread. I hope Mickey doesn't mind the repeat.

It's a shot from my MacGyver effort to catch a sunspot. I simply took a pair of eclipse glasses I got at the Air and Space museum and taped them over the lens of my super zoom.....

That's a GREAT shot! Thanks for sharing! I was thinking of using eclipse glasses in a similar fashion, but didn't think they would be big enough. Well done! Any idea on your camera settings on that one?

Thanks all,
Dreams

 

[coloneldebugger]

I just have a Panasonic FZ35 so I only have so much room to go manual.

Looks like the main settings were...

F8 (that as far as it goes in that direction)
1/125 shutter speed (I bounced around on this a bunch)
ISO 400 (didn't know that was on auto, I probably would have moved it down to 100 and gone with a faster shutter)

I'm always open to suggestions on the settings front.

 

[Experiment_626]

Wow! That was quite rude and completely uncalled for here.

I can't figure out if you're being serious or not. I wasn't. My "shut up and go with me here" meant "hang on and wait for the punchline." I'd say my call to start planning a trip to WDW to coincide with an event 33 years in the future should have been a clue — though it was half-joking. If I'm around and still able, I'll definitely try to see that eclipse that does indeed pass over WDW — but is especially relevant to me because it passes over the area where I live and have lived all my life. Maybe you missed that part.

I'd say that I can't figure out how anyone could be pushing 14K posts without figuring this stuff out, but I've spent too much time reading the Theme Parks board, where people seem to take offense at the most inconsequential things.

You posted an interesting question (research on which revealed the other eclipses I've mentioned), and it was photography-related. Why would I object to that, whether it was Disney park-related or not? Where did I say anything to make you think I regarded it as off-topic — especially after having already posted a couple of times in the same thread? And I used a smilie, for crying out loud. If you took actual offense, you need to work on reading comprehension. If you were attempting to further the joke, you need more practice before going public with it.

EDIT: Not exactly what I would chosen for my 1500th post. This is why I seldom venture over to the Theme Parks board.

Further EDIT: Now that that's settled, I hope the skies are clear for you; I haven't seen many annular eclipses (eclipsi?), even in photos, and I'd love to see any images you get.

SSB