The upcoming solar eclipse will bring complete darkness for up to 4 minutes and 28 seconds depending on your location in the path of totality when the moon blocks the sun. Photographers like Stan Honda are preparing for this event, with Honda aiming to be in Fredericksburg, Texas. While Honda plans to bring four cameras, anyone can capture a good image of the eclipse with just about any kind of camera or lens, a sturdy tripod, and a remote shutter release. To get the best shot, it is recommended to use a solar filter to protect the camera, solar glasses to protect the eyes, and to be located in the path of totality from Texas to Maine. Some ready-made filters for smartphones include the VisiSolar Smartphone Photo Filter and Solar Snap Eclipse App Kit.
The solar eclipse on April 8 will affect over 180 million people, expanding from Mexico’s Pacific Coast across North America to 15 US states and Newfoundland, Canada. In New York, the eclipse will take place just after 2 p.m. A coronal mass ejection from the sun is anticipated during the event. To avoid eye injury, viewers should use proper eyewear, such as eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer. The next total solar eclipse will happen on August 12, 2026, visible in Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and a small part of Portugal.
After securing the solar filter, it is important to set the focus and exposure manually because automatic settings won’t work with the filter on. For phones, manually focusing on the sun is critical, and users can do this by tapping the moon on the screen. Adjusting exposure on an iPhone involves dragging the sun icon, while Android users can adjust by holding the finger on the moon and moving left or right. It is also recommended to turn off the flash for a clear photo.
Zooming in can affect the photo quality, so it is advised to be careful when using zoom features. Devices like the iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S Ultra offer optical zoom capabilities ranging from 3x to 15x. For those without these devices, a telephoto lens attachment priced at $20 to $50 offers a zoom of 12x to 18x. Burst mode is crucial for capturing the “diamond ring” phenomenon that occurs just before and after the totality phase of the eclipse, resulting in a ring-like appearance with a bright center that lasts for a few seconds.
Photographers should practice with the iPhone’s burst mode feature before the eclipse to ensure they capture the diamond ring and other critical moments during the event. The solar eclipse is expected to last around two-and-a-half hours but the diamond ring is the highlight of the event, usually lasting for about 10 seconds. Burst mode can help capture this fleeting moment.
