How to shoot a Total Solar Eclipse

A total solar eclipse is coming. Here is everything you need to know to take the best photos possible!

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[Timecodes]
0:00 How to Photography a Total Solar Eclipse
0:45 How to find Totality!
2:05 Keep your eyes safe
3:01 Keep your camera safe
5:02 Photo opportunities before Totality
6:12 Camera Gear for a Solar Eclipse
8:39 Choosing the right focal length for a Solar Eclipse
9:23 Test your Camera Settings NOW!
10:53 Totality!
13:11 Camera Settings for a Total Solar Eclipse

Correction: 3:12 Even with solar glasses you should NEVER look through an unfiltered viewfinder, or other optical devices that have the possibility to magnify the intensity of the sun.

[AnthonyGugliotta]

Are you shooting the Total Solar Eclipse? If so...Where will you be?

Edit: one point of clarification, since im getting some questions. You absolutely MUST shoot with a strong enough filter with any type of camera, DSLR, mirrorless, point and shoot, telescopes, anything... And it must go on the FRONT of your lens. I've also been advised to never look through any unfiltered optics even with solar glasses as the optics magnify the intensity of the sun.

[canofanger]

I love taking photos, but I feel there will be a LOT of people who will not truly experience and enjoy this eclipse for what it is, simply due to they're trying to get photos. Take a picture or two, but remember that there are thousands of better pictures out there to look at. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most, just to experience it and think about it's significance and how these events affected our ancestors since the dawn of time. Just enjoy it.

[josephriley]

I'm coming from the UK to Dallas to see it, just bought a new filter for solar photography. All I need now is clear skies 🤞

[Hellamoody]

I'm watching this the day before with none of required equipment, not even the glasses 🥲 I mistakenly thought you could only see it if you're on the *total* solar path, didn't realize we're getting a partial eclipse where I am 😩

[iceashes]

I am from Mexico city and me and my family are traveling to Mazatlán (a totality place in Mexico), now the thing was that our airline wanted to cancel the flight (offered us another one to another city and other days) and we made a post "exposing" the airline, after that, they contacted us giving us the flight but with one day scales twice. We hope for clear skies and I am of course bringing my camera.
Good luck on your shots everyone!

[Ryukachoo]

2:30
Its kind of magically stronger
What makes your eyes hurt looking at the sun is the infrared, not the UV.
In the moments before totality the sun's tiny crescent is small enough to be easily resolved and focused on by your cornea...so not enough infrared to make you look away but still plenty of uv to cause damage, focused on your retina.

Theres been many cases of people getting little crescent shapes burned into their retinas

[SteveEnns]

Great video and great tips! Actually answered all my questions about the best way to capture the eclipse. Will be viewing from St. Catharines, Ontario.

[desinamedia]

It’s coming right to us ! Dallas, tx and ‘m watching this hoping to prepare myself catch some once in a lifetime photos

[PTSOPHOTO]

Im from Montreal over here! can't wait to experience this

[ControlTouchMaster]

I’m using crop sensor cameras with a full frame 300mm (480mm in crop) lens and a 16.5 stop ND filter. I have two cameras with the exact same setup ready to go.

[aaronrodriguez]

I’m in Longview, Tx which is just about 10 miles outside of the path of totality, so of course we’re driving to a bit to get right in the path! Looking forward to it!!

[nicolejeanptacek]

I am in a tiny town named Mannsville, NY, near Watertown, NY! Thousands of people are coming to our area because, yes, we are in the "totality"

[kkkkobi]

I'm sad I have no way to get there. But I'm so excited for your results - bangers only!

[kmacdizzle]

Driving from Detroit to Dallas about 1, 700 miles depending on weather. I’ll be checking the weather all the way down to find the best spot weather wise

[asokag-m]

Also… I’d be remiss if I don’t say this…

One point I’ll like to stress is the use of a “Solar” rated filter as opposed to an ND-only one. I know there’s a huge debate on this but consider that a lot of the damage from prolonged solar radiation is due to the IR component, which a plain ND may not reduce sufficiently. NDs are designed for the visible spectrum, primarily. PLEASE get a 16.5 stop with UV/IR Cut OR stack a separate UV/IR-Cut filter with your plain ND.
Bottom line is, as amazing as a once-in-a-lifetime event (for most of us) like a total solar eclipse is, vision is priceless and any solar damage is life-long permanent! Don’t take a chance. Be safe!
EDIT:
The ISO Standard Solar Film does filter visible, UV and IR. The simplest solution may be to use two-sided tape to stick a disk of this in front of an existing clear filter. Cheap, effective, safe.

[brilliantaksan]

ure so wholesome man, love ur energy!

[asokag-m]

Burlington in Vermont, by the lake. Hope to get a close-up series and a wide-angle scenic composite.
Good synopsis of the process and considerations. Like you, I’ve been sucked in to this by You Tube Astro-Nuts!! 😂 So it’s my 1st time as well.
To borrow a phrase, here’s to Clear Skies! 👍🏼🙏🏼🌞

[alex.hartleyy]

The thumbnail was too good hahaha! I never thought about capturing the Solar Eclipse, but this was such good advice! Now I just need to get a strong enough ND

[SnowJoe]

Seven buddies of mine and myself travelled 1800 miles in 47 hours back in 2017 to catch the eclipse in Tennessee. Absolutely worth it. Heading to Erie for this one.

[alvarodiaz]

I’ll be where I live in Austin, TX! Unfortunately, much of Texas is forecasted to be cloudy and rainy