Every time there is a solar eclipse, the landscape photographers and photography enthusiasts get excited. Not to say that solar eclipse photography appeals to general public as well, if maybe only in the way of just looking at it.
Photographing a solar eclipse is an exciting experience – but also one that needs planning, protection, and precision. Whether you’re going for a dramatic close-up or a wide-angle scene, here’s a complete guide to capturing it safely and beautifully.
Protect Your Eyes
Never look directly at the sun without proper protection—even during partial eclipse phases.
• For your eyes: Best would be to use special very dark glasses, to the very least just wear sunglasses.
• For your camera: Use a strong ND in front of your lens (I’d say at least 10 stops but maybe even 16) to avoid damaging your sensor (and your eyes through the viewfinder). You might consider removing it only during totality (when the sun is completely covered).
Gear
• Any camera, or even a phone if you figure out how to attach a filter to it.
• A tripod is a must to keep your shot stable
• A remote shutter or interval timer helps prevent camera shake
Lenses:
• Telephoto (200mm–600mm) for close-ups of the eclipse
• Wide-angle (10–24mm) for landscape shots showing the eclipse over a scene
Camera Settings
During partial eclipse (with solar filter):
• ISO: as low as it can go
• Aperture: f/8 to f/11 (maybe even higher if needed)
• Shutter speed: Start around 1/1000s, adjust as needed
• Use manual focus: Focus to infinity or slightly back, and check sharpness with the screen
Planning
There is a very useful way to figure out how to find the timing of the solar eclipse by using the photopills app. I am sure there are other apps for this, but this one helps a great deal with planning if you are willing to learn how to use it.
• Know when the eclipse starts, peaks, and ends in your location
• Scout your location ahead of time – find clear horizons and see if there is anything good to be included in the foreground.
Creative Part
In your solar eclipse photography you can include people watching, city skylines, or desert landscapes for context.
You can make a composite of the eclipse progression to show each stage of it.
One of the very interesting parts of the solar eclipse is also that the shadows of everything become different. Pay attention especially to how it looks like in the folliage of the trees.
DIY
If you’re really keen on watching the solar eclipse, but do not have the specialized glasses or ND filter is too expensive for you, then you can just take a piece of glass and a candle. Burn the glass with the candle as much as possible making it dark and hard to see through and here you have your own home-made filter. Don’t think it will work for photos but you can try.
No Solar Eclipse
For us there will be no solar eclipse until 2027 here, and the one happening on 29 of March, 2025 is mostly targeted towards the Northern population of the Earth, so we wait and we hope that you guys out there can capture something spectacular.
Are you planning on catching the next solar eclipse?
Best,
Anna
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