Solar Eclipse – Part 2
/Last week I posted about my pre-eclipse experience. Today’s post has photos of the eclipse itself. I used my bridge camera (Canon Powershot SX70 HX) on a tripod with a solar filter for most of them. Both my skill and camera improved since the 2017 eclipse when I was using a Canon Powershot SX730 HS with the same filter. I compose my shots such that the camera stays in P (program) mode and autofocuses. The only setting change made was the +/- exposure compensation during totality. My ‘best shots’ for the 2024 eclipse included:
Two areas of sunspots (pre-eclipse)
First contact
Further along
Only one sunspot still visible
Frown in the sky
Diamond ring (no filter)
Baily’s beads and solar flares/prominences (no filter)
More solar flares/prominences (no filter)
Corona (no filter)
Nearing the end of totality (no filter)
Diamond ring (no filter)
Smile in the sky
I took one picture with my phone holding my solar glasses over the lens after totality. I was klutzy to hold…but worthwhile to try.
My husband had an app running that was providing prompts leading up to totality…when to remove filters…the mid-point of totality…filters back on. It was good to have the audio rather than having to check the time some other way. He had a more complex set up with several higher end cameras – one of which had automated tracking (which didn’t work quite the way he expected). These were his three favorite totality shots.
The road trip home was prolonged with heavy traffic. A lot of people traveled to see the eclipse, and all were heading home afterward at about the same time. We stopped for dinner along the way and the traffic cleared a little. It was a long day for us: leaving home at 5:30 AM and returning at 9:30 PM. It was worth it!
Here is a mosaic of my pictures featured above plus others. Click on the thumbnail to see a larger version.
