It is looking iffy in the hinterland right now, but don’t give up hope just yet. The Washington Post says their overall forecast confidence is “low to medium” four days ahead of the big event. The confidence level will go up as we get closer to the eclipse. They are posting a new prediction every day.
HDR Photography During Eclipse Totality
You can do HDR (high dynamic range) photography during the totality phase of the eclipse and combine the images later using software like Photoshop or Photomatix.
Keeping Track of Eclipse Weather at Multiple Possible Locations
The August 21 forecast for four prime eclipse cities as of 2 pm August 16, 2017.
If you have the flexibility to travel to any of several prime eclipse locations it is getting harder and harder to keep track of the eclipse weather and make a final location decision. The forecast is changing daily for several locations. My process for making a final location decision might be helpful to you as you make your final eclipse plans.
The Field of View Crop in DSLRs
Image circle with full frame and cropped sensor marks.
The sensors in many digital SLRs (DSLRs) are smaller than a full frame digital sensor which is about the size of 35mm film (24x36mm). When a lens that was originally designed for a full frame digital sensor is put on a cropped sensor camera body, the field of view is different. The image created looks like the focal length of the lens has been magnified so this is sometimes called the “magnification factor”. A 100mm lens on a digital camera with a 1.6x magnification factor produces an image that looks like a 160mm lens on a “full frame” DSLR or 35mm film camera.
Photographing the Eclipse: How Big Do You Like Your Sun?
Lens focal length and relative size in the camera frame.
The longer the focal length of your lens, the bigger the sun will be in your frame. That is why I recommend 70-300mm, 100-400mm, 150-600mm, and similar zoom lenses when photographing the sun.
August 14 Update: Safe Eclipse Glasses, Binoculars, and Solar Filters
SUNoculars (solar binoculars) and Mini SUNoculars from Great American Eclipse.
Most vendors of safe, approved eclipse glasses, binoculars, and solar filters are out of stock, but there are a few left. Links to buy them follow.
Update August 17. As of 3 pm today the only item in this article that you can still order is eclipse glasses from Lunt Solar Systems and fulfilled by Amazon. They are supposed to be in stock at Amazon today, August 17, 2017. Order here. Choose “Available from these sellers” and then choose Lunt Solar Systems. Make sure Amazon can get these to you in time for the eclipse. Lunt Solar Systems is on the list of AAS approved vendors.
State by State Eclipse Totality Maps
Totality Map 1 – Oregon
Eclipse totality maps from Oregon to South Carolina. If you have to make some big changes in your preferred eclipse location based on last minute weather changes, you will need a quick way to find an alternate location. These maps will be a big help. Just stay between the red lines and the closer you are to the blue line the longer totality will last. Click each map for a larger version.
Eclipse Weather Information
AccuWeather posted this map some time prior to noon on August 14, 2017.
Links to eclipse weather information. The AccuWeather map above was posted here. Keep a close eye on the weather and be prepared to make a last minute location change.
The Great American Eclipse Series
NASA: The Total Solar Eclipse Of March 20, 2015
The Great American Eclipse will cross the United States August 21, 2017. This is the best total solar eclipse in the U.S. in 38 years. This series of articles is your guide to the best information about the eclipse.
Originally posted June 26, 2017. Updated periodically and re-posted July 25 and August 13. Most recent update: August 17, 2017. There are now 34 articles in this series. The most important articles are indicated below.
Solar Retinopathy: Why an Eclipse is So Dangerous, Especially for Children, and What To Do About It
A solar eclipse is dangerous for everyone and children are especially at risk. Even when the sun is 99% eclipsed it can do serious eye damage. This is what you need to know and do, especially with all the unsafe counterfeit eclipse glasses that have flooded the market.
Practice Your Solar Eclipse Photography Skills Now!
Don’t wait until eclipse day to work on your eclipse photography skills. The more you practice now the more assured you will be when the eclipse rolls around.
Be Careful When Buying Eclipse Materials! Amazon Changes Links from Safe, AAS Approved Vendors to Non-Approved Vendors.
The “Sold By” line at Amazon. AgenaAstro is on the AAS list of approved, reputable vendors.
This is not good. Amazon takes links that used to take you companies on the AAS list of safe approved, reputable vendors of eclipse materials, and switches them to companies that are not on the AAS approved list. This is dangerous for your eyes.
Back in Stock Before the Eclipse! Solar Filter Sheets Made by Thousand Oaks Optical!
Square white light solar filter sheets from Thousand Oaks Optical.
This is great news! Once again you can order solar filter sheets made by Thousand Oaks Optical. The solar filter sheets are being sold by Agena Astro at Amazon.com.
Updated 11:56 PM EDT, August 12, 2017 to update links.
Safe and Unsafe Uses of Eclipse Glasses and Solar Filter Materials
Do NOT use eclipse glasses to look through the back of binoculars, telescopes, or a camera viewfinder. It is incredibly dangerous. Ignore the foolish and totally irresponsible advice on the internet that you might get away with it. Just don’t do it.
You Can Still Find Eclipse Binoculars, Glasses, and Photography Filters If you Act Now
Reliable dealers with safe eclipse glasses, binoculars, and solar filters are running out of stock. To make matters worse the market is being flooded with counterfeits that are not safe. If you buy a counterfeit item you could end up with permanent eye damage, reduced vision, or go completely blind. This article will take you to the safe stuff.
Are Welding Filters Safe for Viewing the Eclipse?
Speedglas welding helmet. CC image by Ergonomidesign.
That depends on the strength of the filter. Many of them are not safe.
Should You Buy a Thousand Oaks Optical Filter Sheet from “Rix Beauty” (or Any Other Non-Approved Vendor) at Amazon?
Screen capture at Amazon.
Should you buy a Thousand Oaks Optical filter sheet from “Rix Beauty” (or any other non-approved vendor) at Amazon? For now, my advice is no. Why? Several reasons. The most important is you have no idea if the filter sheet was actually made by Thousand Oaks Optical, or if it is a fake. This also applies to all the other eclipse products at Amazon that are sold by non-approved vendors.
Originally posted August 6, 2017. Updated with new information August 8, 2017.
You Can Make Your Own Inexpensive “High Density” Filter To Photograph the Eclipse
Baader Solar Eclipse Material
You can make your own inexpensive high density filter to photograph the eclipse. But there is a catch. It is not safe to use to look at the sun, and you should not look through the viewfinder of the camera because you could go blind or suffer serious, permanent eye damage.
Originally posted August 6, 2017. Revised and expanded August 14, 2017.
You Can Still Buy Safe Solar Eclipse Glasses if You Act Now!
It is getting very hard to find safe solar eclipse glasses that comply with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. A week ago I found ten safe vendors of solar eclipse viewing and photography products. Nine of those vendors are now out of stock. The good news is the David Chandler Company has them in stock so you can order now with no delays.
Originally posted August 5, 2017. Updated August 8, 2017.
Last Chance: High Density Filters to Photograph the Eclipse
Finally! I have found some high quality filters to photograph the eclipse. As I worked my way down the lift of safe vendors of solar eclipse products, the first 12 were totally out of stock. And then, success! But first, two notes of caution that could save your eyesight.
How to Use a Planisphere
Even in a digital age with fancy apps for your smart phone, tablet, and computer, a planisphere is a handy, low tech tool to have. It is a map of the night sky to show you what is up there based on the date and the time of night you choose.
Originally posted August 4, 2017. Revised August 8, 2017.
Peace Now! Quiet Shutter Photography
I am so pleased to share this video featuring the excellent images of Quiet Shutter Photography (Winnie and Bill Johnston). Winnie is the person who kept bugging me to bring my total immersion nature photography workshop to the campground they manage on the shores of beautiful Lake Charlevoix in Northern Michigan.
Unsafe Counterfeit Solar Eclipse Glasses Are Flooding Amazon and Other Online Markets
Celestron eclipse glasses and binoculars that are safe for viewing the sun.
This article could save your sight. If you bought solar eclipse glasses recently from Amazon, they could be fake and unsafe, even if they have the ISO certification printed on the glasses. You should throw them away.
It is very dangerous out there for buyers of solar eclipse glasses, as in dangerous for their eyes. The American Astronomical Society says “the marketplace is being flooded by counterfeit eclipse glasses that are labeled as if they’re ISO-compliant when in fact they are not.” Quartz is reporting “Solar-eclipse fever means counterfeit glasses are flooding Amazon’s market”. That means it is no longer safe to order solar eclipse glasses from Amazon or other third party web sites. You have no way of knowing if the glasses are safe or not. So what should you do?
Last Chance To Get A Solar Filter to View or Photograph the Eclipse!
White Light Solar Filters
UPDATE August 4: Read this important article first: Unsafe Counterfeit Solar Eclipse Glasses Are Flooding Amazon and Other Online Markets
UPDATE August 3: I found another source of safe solar eclipse glasses. See below.
UPDATE August 3: Fake Eclipse Viewer Certification. See below.
This is your last chance. The bad news is almost all of the solar filters that are safe for viewing and photographing the Great American Eclipse (August 21) are now sold out at dealers all across the country. Only a few safe options are left. If you want to photograph the eclipse there is only one inexpensive option left (less than several hundred dollars).
Local Eclipse Calculators
If you want to know when the Great American Eclipse begins, reaches totality, and ends from the location of your choice, you need a local eclipse calculator. This article shows you two simple calculators and one GPS calculator.
The Complete Beginners Guide to Adobe Photoshop – 33 Free Videos
That’s right, it is a free 33 lesson introduction to Photoshop on YouTube by TastyTuts. There is a 12 minute introduction (yes, you should watch it), followed by the 33 lessons. Go here for the full video list. More at the links below.
Spectacular Time-Lapse Storm Video from 90,000 Photos
Pursuit (4K) from Mike Olbinski on Vimeo.
Mike Olbinski does some of the most impressive time lapse photography you will ever see.
How to Photograph the Sun (and an Eclipse) with a “White Light” Solar Filter
The Sun photographed with a White Light solar filter.
Unlike most other solar filters, a “white light” solar filter from Thousand Oaks Optical is visually safe (which is really important) and gives you a true color, yellow-amber looking sun (saving you processing time). A white light solar filter also makes it simpler and faster to photograph the sun.
How Do You Know if Your Eclipse Glasses and Binoculars are Safe?
UPDATE August 4: This article was originally posted July 25, 2017. A lot has changed since then. All of the links below are to safe sources of solar eclipse glasses, viewers, and filters from reliable companies, but many of them have now sold out. As reliable dealers sell out of their stock of safe products, Amazon and other third party online sites have been flooded with unsafe, look alike, counterfeit products from fly-by-night companies. Read this important article for details: Unsafe Counterfeit Solar Eclipse Glasses Are Flooding Amazon and Other Online Markets
Here’s the short answer. Don’t use any kind of eclipse glasses or eclipse viewers unless you can find evidence that they are ISO 12312-2 certified. If they aren’t, don’t use them.
Make or Buy Your Own Inexpensive “White Light” Solar Filter to Watch and Photograph the Eclipse
White Light solar filters for photography, binoculars, and non-magnified viewing.
If you order soon (stocks are running low), you can make or buy your own inexpensive, “white light” solar filter for safely photographing (and viewing) the sun and the upcoming solar eclipse August 21. “White light” filters (unlike others) allow you to see and photograph the sun in a natural yellow-amber color.
Update, August 6, 2017: Many of these items are no longer available. Check the most recent articles in this series to see what is still available.