Not only are people excited to view the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, but many are eager to photograph the same on their smartphones. But you need to protect your device first.
The rare celestial occurrence will be visible from several regions of North America, but eclipse viewers located anywhere outside the Map of Nope representing the path of totality are out of luck this year.
Protect your phone with certified eclipse glasses
You can’t view the solar eclipse with the naked eye or devices that aren’t protected with the right lens. The same goes for iPhones and other smartphones.
Before we get into the technicalities of a great shot of the eclipse, make sure you’ve picked the certified eclipse glasses that pass the safety test.
As it’s hard to tell the real and fake eclipse glasses apart, we have shared three simple tests to determine their quality.
Once you’ve got the right kind of eclipse glasses, place them over the lens of your phone. You can either tape it or hold it over the lens while viewing the eclipse.
You need to ensure the camera lens is fully covered with the eclipse glasses as the slightest gap can cause overexposure, as well as damage your phone.
Easily and SAFELY snap some pics of the eclipse. Please use caution and always protect your eyes and gear properly!! Use approved eclipse glasses from a reputable source with the ISO12312-2 certification. Without a proper filter, the image will be over exposed in any camera. I hope this enables some of you to get a some images using gear you may (or should) have with you. Cheers and happy eclipse hunting. 🌞 —> 🔭 iPhone XS Max Solar eclipse glasses ISO12312-2 #astrophotography #astronomy #telescope #outerspace #sun #cosmos #stargazing #physics #space #universe #science #nature #naturephotography #narrowband #hydrogen #solar #corona #star #eclipse #annulareclipse #solareclipse #spacetok #annularsolareclipse2023
How to get a great picture of the ‘ring of fire’
The most awaited moment during the forthcoming eclipse is when the moon overlaps Earth to form the “ring of fire”.
However, you need to keep in mind a few important tips to be able to get a great picture of the rare phenomenon. Below are a few pointers by solar eclipse photographer and author, Alan Dyer.
- Keep the flash on your phone camera turned off when you’re capturing the totality.
- Do not zoom in on the sun when it’s covered by the moon as it’ll ruin the quality of the image.
- Lock the focus when you’re trying to click the picture to avoid auto adjustments. You can adjust it manually before locking the feature.
- Always shoot in raw mode for optimal results. You can download third-party apps such as Halide or Yamera if your phone doesn’t come with an in-built feature.
