We like the phenomena that take place in the sky, we cannot avoid it, we love to look up and be completely enthralled, delighting ourselves with the gifts that nature leaves in our firmament. And of course we love to photograph them. That is why in the blog we have dedicated articles to photographing not only the sky, the sun or the moon, but also the stars, the lightning on stormy days, the rain, the clouds… Well, apparently we needed to talk about eclipses and we have two in sight, one solar and one lunar, so I couldn’t miss this opportunity to tell you how to photograph this curious and very sporadic natural phenomenon, because you won’t think to miss it, right? Look, the next solar eclipse is in 2017 but it’s at sunset and it won’t be seen well, so we’ll have to wait until 2026 to see the next one… ufff, that’s a long way off, right?
Well, let’s get to work, we have to hunt this yes or yes 😉 And if what you want is to delve into the nature photography, this is our most complete guide, with tips, tricks and lots of inspiration.
When to photograph an eclipse?
Obviously, to be able to photograph an eclipse, the first thing you need to know is when it will happen 😉
The March 20 there is a total solar eclipse, although in Spain it will be a partial eclipse that can be seen from all cities. And the National Astronomical Observatoryinforms us that on September 28 we will have another eclipse, this time lunar and total.
In this OAN link The eclipse data is detailed and by clicking on the tabs by provinces or municipalities you can see the expected sequence of the eclipse in each place.
If you do not live in Spain, you can look at the NASA page to inform you.
Sun eclipse
Before continuing, I have to remind you of the first rule to observe a solar eclipse and that is to protect your eyes well to look directly. Use the appropriate and recommended protectors to contemplate it, such as Mylar filters, Baader sheet is the most popular. And if you use a welder’s glass that is at least 14 gauge. Another recommendation that is made is that you do not look at it for more than three uninterrupted minutes. And never look through binoculars or other types of lenses without the proper filters, or use x-rays or similar popular inventions because they do not serve to protect you, no matter how widespread their fame is. This does not affect your photographs, but it does affect your eye health, which even if you don’t believe it, I care 😉
Sun eclipse
What do you need to photograph a solar eclipse?
Tripod and trigger: necessary to avoid any movement or trepidation, since they can completely spoil the result. If you don’t have a trigger, use your camera’s self-timer to avoid the movement that occurs when you press the button.
Filter: this is essential, both to obtain a good result and to protect the sensor of your camera. You can get a Baader sheet.
Telephoto: In order for the sun to appear larger in your photograph, and not a simple ball the size of a marble, you will have to use a telephoto lens, with a minimum focal length of 200 mm, if it is 400 even better. This will bring the star closer and it will be much more spectacular.
Settings for photographing a solar eclipse
It is very difficult to give exact values for you to adjust your camera, as there are many variables involved. In general terms, focus at infinity, try with a medium aperture and a short exposure, although it is best that you play with the different values on the site to achieve an optimal result. However, I leave you an indicative table of the speed in seconds according to the opening (with an ISO value of 100):
2.8
4
5.6
8
eleven
16
22
1/4000
1/2000
1/1000
1/500
1/250
1/125
1/60
Other tips for photographing a solar eclipse
If you are not going to photograph the eclipse from the garden of your house or from another known place, I recommend that you choose a place where you are comfortable. You can visit it before to study the terrain and choose the exact situation where you will stand to obtain better images. Think about whether it will be a more or less crowded place and if you feel like having company or not. If this is not the case, look for a secluded place, but one that has privileged views.
Seeing an eclipse is interesting because of the phenomenon that it is, because it doesn’t happen every day, but a photo of an eclipse can be somewhat bland or unoriginal if you don’t put a little personal ingredient into it. It is good to practice, to learn photography, to have fun, however, if you want to go one step further and get a spectacular photograph, do not limit yourself to photographing the sun disappearing, introduce other elements in the scene. This Smithsonianmag finalist photo can serve as inspiration. It’s brutal, right?
Colleen Pinski. 2012 Smithsonia Annual Photography Contest Finalist
You can also make a montage with the different phases of the eclipse, as in this case:
Eclipse Collage
How to photograph a lunar eclipse
Unlike the solar eclipse, you won’t have to protect your camera or your eyes to observe it, which makes everything a little easier. Here are some basic tips:
- Place. Get away from the light, find a place without light pollution and, if possible, high up so that your views are much better.
lunar eclipse
- Use a tripod and remote shutter. The slightest movement can spoil the result and throw away your dreams of photographing an eclipse by land, something you don’t want, right? And as I said before, if you don’t have a remote shutter, use the camera’s timer. And if you don’t have a tripod either, at least put the camera on a fixed and stable surface.
- Shoot with a telephoto lens. Use the largest telephoto lens you have, the more focal length the better, because the better and bigger the moon will look.
- Focus manually. In this case, flee from the automatic mode and focus at infinity.
- Use a ISO as low as possible.
- Settings. With the ISO value at 100, try shooting at f/16 with an exposure of 1/125 seconds. From here do several tests and readjust to get the best results. In the case of not having a tripod, do not go below this speed because it will come out blurred, if the photo comes out very dark you will have to try to open the diaphragm (use a smaller “f” number) or increase the ISO value.
- Block the mirror. If your camera allows mirror lockup, do so to avoid camera shake.
- Point measurement. Uses spot light metering mode.
- Not afraid to shoot. It takes advantage of digital advantages and every ten minutes it makes a series of shots with different parameters. Then you can eliminate the ones that are left over and keep the ones that have been the best.
- Shoot in RAW, so that later you can balance the white balance.
- Bundle up. I’m worrying about your health again, I can’t help it 😉 . The night can be very cold and the eclipse very long, keep this in mind when dressing or taking supplies (some hot drink will not hurt).
Plan your next eclipse photography
It does not matter if the eclipse is of the sun or the moon, it is best that you plan the session, that you know the exact time at which the eclipse will begin, where the sun or the moon will be at that moment, from which place it will be most visible to be able to photograph it without anything that bothers you or gets in the way of the image. In addition to the data offered by the OANyou have some applications that can help you in this task:
- photo pills: it costs 9 euros, a modest price for everything it offers. It will not only serve you for the day of the eclipse, it offers you all the information you need about the sun and the moon, their trajectories, where you can see them from, save your favorite places…
- The Photographer’s Ephemeris: another application for the same price as the previous one, which shows you the trajectory of the stars.
You already have the keys to capture this beautiful phenomenon, now you just need to prepare everything and wait for the day and time to arrive. For the moon you have more time, so you can practice photographing it with these tips.
Surely you know someone else who wants to photograph eclipses, do them a small favor and share this article on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, a favor that you also do to the blog and that we will know how to thank you by writing more articles for you 😉 Thank you and until next time!