Solar Eclipse 2024: NASA Shares Tips To Take Photos With Smartphone

The upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 promises a breathtaking celestial spectacle. This rare event isn’t just a treat for skywatchers, but also a golden opportunity to capture stunning photographs.

Whether you’re a professional photographer or simply an enthusiastic smartphone user, NASA has shared valuable tips to help you capture those unforgettable eclipse images.

1. Safety First: Don’t Skip the Filter

Safety is the primary requirement. Looking directly at the sun, even during a partial eclipse, is extremely dangerous for your eyes and can damage your camera sensor. Just like you wouldn’t stare at the sun without proper eye protection, your camera needs a special solar filter during the partial phases of the eclipse. Thankfully, these filters are readily available and work similarly to the special eclipse glasses you’ll need to protect your own vision. However, during totality, when the moon completely covers the sun, it’s safe to remove the filter to capture the sun’s magnificent corona, the outer atmosphere.

2. Smartphone Snapshots: Great Results Without Fancy Gear

The good news for casual photographers is that capturing a great eclipse image doesn’t require a top-of-the-line DSLR camera. NASA assures us that even a smartphone camera can produce impressive results. After all, the key ingredient is a keen eye and a clear vision for the photo you want to create.

While a powerful telephoto lens can zoom in on the eclipsed sun, it’s not essential. Smartphone users can focus on capturing the changing light and its impact on the environment. Imagine the dramatic shadows cast during the eclipse’s peak, or the dappled sunlight filtering through leaves, creating miniature eclipse projections on the ground.

3. Beyond the Sun: Capture the Full Experience

The eclipse isn’t just about the sun itself. NASA recommends incorporating the human element into your photos. People’s reactions – their awe, excitement, and wonder – are powerful storytelling elements. Imagine capturing a group of friends pointing and gazing skyward, their faces reflecting the otherworldly light. These candid moments can become cherished memories of the event.

4. Practice Makes Perfect: Master Your Camera

Before the big day, familiarise yourself with your smartphone camera’s capabilities. Most smartphones allow you to adjust exposure settings, which is crucial for capturing the eclipse’s dynamic lighting conditions. Practice manually focusing your camera to ensure crisp shots.

5. Smartphone Photography: Mastering the Settings

Experiment with different exposures beforehand to find the optimal setting for capturing the partially eclipsed sun. A fixed aperture of f/8 to f/16 and shutter speeds between 1/1000 to 1/4 second are good starting points. During totality, the corona’s varying brightness requires a fixed aperture with a range of exposures from 1/1000 to 1 second.

Beyond the Click: Share Your Experience

Once the eclipse has passed, share your photos with friends and family! Tag @NASA on social media to connect with a nationwide community of eclipse enthusiasts and potentially have your photo featured by NASA itself.

Remember, while capturing that perfect shot is exciting, don’t forget to simply experience the eclipse with your own eyes. Just ensure you wear your protective eclipse glasses throughout the partial phases! With these tips from NASA and a dash of creativity, you can transform your smartphone into a tool for capturing the wonder of the 2024 solar eclipse.