Top Ten Rules for Solar Eclipse Photography
5: Planning and Timing are important.
A common problem encountered by eclipse photographers is to either forget to look or miss a great photo opportunity. Due to the relatively short time in which you have to photograph the eclipse it is not uncommon to loose track. This time dilation and shrinkage is a natural human response to the spectacle. Before the eclipse everything seems to move in slow motion as you await totality. I have heard of photographers use up complete rolls of film between 1st contact and 2nd contact and then not have any loaded for totality itself! You should try to plan ahead and then have some way to keep track of your timing. One of the best ways to accomplish the timing aspects is to use a tool like the online eclipse timer. Another is to pre-record your timing using a tape player. And like flash cameras, don't disturb others. Play the audible so that only you hear it or use an ear piece.
6: Don't forget to look!
Develop a plan ahead of time and discuss it with other eclipse photographers. Most may tell you that you need to budget some time to just look at the eclipse. It is amazing to see. I know of several eclipse chasers who have missed seeing the eclipse because they were too busy taking pictures. Instead you should try to focus you attention to view the eclipse - look for streamers, polar brushes, helmut structures, prominences, and so forth.
7: Good eclipse photographs require practice.
Using a telescope or telephoto lens requires some practice. While the total eclipse is taking place is not the time to learn about the features of your equipment. Practice by taking pictures of the moon. Lunar photography is both rewarding and challenging. Plus the practice will allow you to check out your gear before learning about a missing component while half a world away from home.
8. Charge your batteries the night before.
Finding out that the power will run out is a problem with digital cameras and video systems. Make sure you top off your batteries the night before and have a spare available as a back up if possible. Once first contact takes place you have about an hour before totality. It is easy to exhaust the first battery going into totality as time will seem magically slowed due to the high anticipation anxiety.
9. If something breaks don't waste time fixing it.
The timing of a total solar eclipse is so tight that if you experience a malfunction just sit back and enjoy the show. Then plan to go to another eclipse and try again. You don't want to waste the few minutes/seconds of totality trying to repair a piece of equipment, no matter how simple the repair may seem. Simple tasks will seem complicated in most cases.
10. Manual settings are superior to automatic.
With the exception of a wide angle view of the landscape, sky, and total eclipse; automatic focus and exposures might not produce good results for a total solar eclipse. The amount of light is not enough for some automatic cameras. As you zoom in the focus will go in and out. The best results are often obtained with manual settings. Even when using a computer to control the camera you will want to focus manually.
Next section - Just a camera >
