Solar eclipses are extraordinary astronomical events in which the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, blocking all or part of the sunlight. This phenomenon is rare and exciting, providing photographers with a unique opportunity to capture breathtaking moments that occur from time to time.

In this guide, we'll share essential photography tips to help you seize the awe-inspiring moments of a solar eclipse, from selecting the right gear to positioning yourself for the perfect shot. Get ready to explore how to immortalize the fleeting majesty of an eclipse through your lens!

Planning and Preparation

There is no doubt that planning is essential when it comes to photographing a solar eclipse. Start by consulting a solar eclipse calendar, available online, to determine future dates. This will help you research the specific locations and durations of eclipses you're most interested in capturing.

Applications like Photopills can be invaluable for planning your photography session. They provide detailed information on the sun's position, eclipse timing, and duration at any given location, ensuring you select a site with clear skies and optimal visibility.

Source: NASA Solar Eclipses

Types of Solar Eclipses and Their Phases

Solar eclipses vary in type, depending on the relative alignment of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. Below, we will describe the main types of solar eclipses and the characteristic phases of each. To learn more about them, look at the image below.

And now a little more about each of them.

1. Total Solar Eclipse

Partial Phase: Begins as the Moon starts to cover the solar disk, casting its shadow to create a penumbral effect on Earth.

Total Phase: The climactic moment when the Moon entirely obscures the Sun, revealing the solar corona and casting the affected areas into temporary darkness, highlighted by unique atmospheric colors.

Post-Totality Partial Phase: The Moon shifts, gradually unveiling the solar disk until the eclipse fully concludes.

2. Annular Eclipse

Partial Phase: Starts with the Moon covering the Sun, but unlike the total eclipse, the Moon is at its apogee, appearing smaller in the sky. This results in a ring of fire around the Moon's outline.

Ring Phase: The ring phase is the distinctive feature, where the solar disk is surrounded by a bright ring, known as the "ring of fire." This phase is impressive and offers a unique visual experience.

Post-Annular Phase: The Moon continues to move, and the Sun's coverage gradually decreases until the eclipse concludes.

3. Partial Solar Eclipse

In a partial solar eclipse, the Moon covers only a part of the Sun without hiding it completely. The visibility of this type of eclipse depends on the observer's geographic location. The partial phase varies from a small fraction of the Sun being covered to almost all of it.

It is essential to remember that observing solar eclipses requires precautions and adequate solar filters and photographic equipment to protect the eyes. Each type of eclipse offers a unique experience, and capturing the different phases in images allows you to appreciate the complexity and beauty of these cosmic events.

Equipment Needed for Photographing Solar Eclipses

Photographing a solar eclipse can be done even with a cell phone, but for optimal results it requires a specific set of equipment and, most importantly, to ensure the safety of the photographer and the equipment. Here are the essential elements:

1. Camera

Choose a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual adjustment capability to control exposure and other settings. 

2. Lens

The focal length chosen will influence the final result of our photograph. A telephoto lens is ideal for capturing the entire sun, bringing out details during totality, while a wide-angle lens can be useful for photographing the landscape and the eclipse's progression.

3. Tripod and Ball Head

A sturdy tripod and a reliable ball head are essential to avoid movement and ensure sharp images, especially during longer exposures during the eclipse's totality. 

4. Quality Solar Filter

Never point your camera directly at the sun without a proper solar filter. Use a certified solar filter to safeguard both your equipment and your eyes. This filter is designed to reduce the intensity of sunlight significantly.

Be aware that neutral density (ND) filters are not suitable for photographing solar eclipses. ND filters only block visible light, whereas the sun emits infrared and ultraviolet light across a broad spectrum. Since ND filters do not block these wavelengths, using them poses a risk of damaging your camera.

5. Lens Hood

To minimize the risk of lens flare and improve image quality, use a lens hood or another shading device to block stray light.

6. Remote Shutter or Intervalometer

These accessories allow you to take pictures without touching the camera, avoiding unwanted vibrations. They are also useful for setting time intervals during the capture of sequences, in this case, a time-lapse would be a great idea.

7. Memory cards and batteries

Be sure to bring extra memory cards and charged batteries. Eclipses can be long events, and you don't want to run out of storage space or power in the middle of the sequence.

Camera Configurations 

Depending on the equipment we use and the planning idea we want to capture, we will have to modify our camera settings.

Practice before the event, a solar eclipse is a unique event, so make sure you are prepared for the moment.

1. Telephoto lens

• Set up your camera before the event.

• Shoot in RAW and deactivate both the camera and lens stabilizer.

• Set the aperture small to get good focus, f8 can be a good value to get good details.

• Check that the focus is correct by focusing in manual mode (remember to put the solar filter on first!). 

• Adjust the white balance manually with a warm 7000K balance; in editing, you can modify them.

• Use the lowest iso you can use on your camera.

• Adjust the speed until the exposure meter of our camera is in the center.

• You can use the bracketing function of your camera to get different exposures, so you get different photos for each shot.

2. Wide angle

• Set up your camera before the event.

• Shoot in raw and deactivate both the camera and lens stabilizer.

• Set the aperture small to get good focus, f8 can be a good value to get good details.

• Check that the focus is correct by focusing in manual mode (remember to put the solar filter on first!). 

• Adjust the white balance manually with a balance that fits your scene; in editing, you can modify them.
  

• Use the lowest iso you can use on your camera.

• Speed we will adjust until the exposure meter of our camera is in the center.

• You can use the bracketing function of your camera to get different exposures, so you get different photos for each shot.

3. Photography Techniques

During the eclipse, experiment with different settings and creative techniques. Capture the progression of the phenomenon from beginning to totality, using intervals to obtain sequences of images over time. Play with composition and creative framing.

Editing and Post-processing

After the event, editing and post-processing your images can make all the difference. You can use Luminar Neo for editing, enhancing contrast, color, and sharpness to bring out unique details of the eclipse and add your creative touch. Here is a step-by-step guide on editing our image:

1. Import or open your photo with Luminar Neo.

2. Start by cropping the image to achieve your desired final composition. Centering the sun can make it appear larger and more focal in the final photo.

3. Once applied, set the adjustments in the development module. Here, you must be careful—if you go too far, you can ruin your photo. Adjust the white balance to give the sun a warm tone and use the contrast and black settings to highlight features like sunspots.

4. Finally,  let's use the creative settings module to add a finishing touch to your image. The 'Brightness' option, which affects only the highlight areas, can make the sun glow and add atmosphere to the scene.

5. You already have your finalized photo to share the result. Now, let’s compare the before and after.

Conclusion

You already have the details to carry out eclipse photography, from planning to the types of eclipses. We give you some tips to carry out the photography you have in mind without leaving aside all the safety measures for your eyes and your equipment.