A partial solar eclipse will take place on Sept. 21-22, as the moon passes in front of the sun, partly blocking its light across parts of the southern hemisphere. The upcoming partial solar eclipse will be visible to 16 million people observing from a number of Pacific islands, along with parts of Australia and Antarctica. The stargazers will get the first glimpse of the eclipse at 1:29 p.m. EDT (1729 GMT). The maximum eclipse will be visible at 3:41 p.m. EDT (1941 GMT). If you are planning to view the eclipse and capture it, here are some safety tips and hacks you should know. Take a look.
Safety first
Remember, safety comes first. Staring directly at the sun is dangerous for your eyes and your camera. So, if you want to take pictures of the sun, when it is partially eclipsed, NASA suggests using a special solar filter, “just as you’ll need a pair of solar viewing glasses (also called eclipse glasses) to protect your eyes.” It is important to understand that you should never look directly at the sun without the viewing glasses. To protect your camera, you need solar filters to shield the sensors from burnout and prevent flaring. Wear the viewing glasses even if you are viewing through a telescope or binoculars, or else you run the risk of burning your retina, which may cause sudden and irreversible blindness.
What camera, phone, or lens to use?
It’s not about the camera, but the photographer. You can use a high-end DLSR or a camera phone, and still take great photos. The type of equipment doesn’t matter here. However, using a tripod will help you to keep the camera more stabilized if your camera or lens does not have that feature. This will help you avoid taking blurry pictures when the lighting is low. A delayed shutter release timer will help you to pictures without jiggling the camera.
Look around
Representative image
If you plan to view the eclipse, don’t just look up. Look up, down and around. Because when the moon slips in front of the sun, the world around you will also change. The lighting and shadows would also change. You can attain exceptional imagery, anywhere you point your camera. Wide-angle photos will capture the whole beauty.
NASA photographer Bill Ingalls recommends looking at human experiences of watching the eclipse. “The real pictures are going to be of the people around you pointing, gawking, and watching it. Those are going to be some great moments to capture to show the emotion of the whole thing,” Ingalls said.
Practice makes it better
Sharpen your photography skills before the eclipse day. It would be tricky lighting during the eclipse, but most cameras, including mobile phones, have adjustable exposure, which will help you to darken or lighten your image while capturing. Ensure you know how to focus the camera manually for the sharpest shots. “For DSLR cameras, the best way to determine the correct exposure is to test settings on the uneclipsed Sun beforehand. Using a fixed aperture of f/8 to f/16, try shutter speeds between 1/1000 to 1/4 second to find the optimal setting, which you can then use to take images during the partial or annular stages of the eclipse,” NASA suggests.