July 22nd 2009 total solar eclipse!!!

Khandoma · Jul 19th, 2009, 20:19

Prashanth dear,

Thanks a lot for your answer.
If you follow the rules by the book, no, it's not ok to photograph the eclipse without the proper filters. Thing is, when you look through the visor to frame and focus, the rays will hit the lens and then move on to your eye.

When you take a picture of a sunset, you look at the general frame, not at the sun. When shooting an eclipse, you instinctively focus at the sun and the area around it. And you stare at it for several seconds in a row.

What you may want to do is position your camera in advance, like on a tripod, and shoot without looking into the visor.
I understand it's hard, because it's sunrise and the sun will still be ascending during the eclipse, so you need a rather broad frame.
Whatever you do, make these eye contacts as brief as possible.

Let me see what English-language resource on eclipse photography I can find for you. It's a pretty well-documented area.

Talk to you soon !

Khandoma · Jul 19th, 2009, 20:27

Sure enough - NASA has it all.

Main page : http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/eclipsePhoto.html

Photography - Excellent basic advice for exposure, opening and framing :
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/SEphoto.html

Precise safety warning by a world-renowned expert :
http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/safety.html
It does say here that if you are in the totality path, you can watch and photograph the eclipse during the totality phase. But a second before, a second after, a fraction of a % below totality, and the risk becomes as big as during the rest of the year.

Hope this helps - enjoy your eclipse - and post your photos please !

Nick-H · Jul 19th, 2009, 20:28

digital/film camera with optical viewfinder --- very dangerous

digital camera with LCD screen --- it's hard enough being able to see the image, sometimes, in daylight; I don't believe it can carry an image bright enough to damage.

Sophie and Dave · Jul 19th, 2009, 20:31

Hi Nick-H,

Good news about the digital camera with LCD screen, that was what we were hoping to use (as we haven't got suitable viewing glasses and no-one in Varanasi seems to be trying to sell them as far as we can see)

We arrived in Varanasi this morning and are preparing for the eclipse in a few days time. Has anyone found the perfect spot? There seem to be plenty of roof top restaurants as well as the Ghats to view it from that hopefully won't be packed.

If any fellow travellers want to meet for a cup of chai we are staying near the Harishchandra Ghat.

Happy eclipse watching

Sophie and Dave

PrashanthV · Jul 19th, 2009, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khandoma

Prashanth dear,

When you take a picture of a sunset, you look at the general frame, not at the sun. When shooting an eclipse, you instinctively focus at the sun and the area around it. And you stare at it for several seconds in a row.

Let me see what English-language resource on eclipse photography I can find for you. It's a pretty well-documented area.

Talk to you soon !

Khandoma, i think that hits the nail on its head!!
We tend to concentrate on the sun during eclipse and that can get us into trouble! and thank you for the research on the photography bit...soo kind of you...appreciate it

Nick-H · Jul 19th, 2009, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sophie and Dave

Good news about the digital camera with LCD screen

JUST MY OPINION --- Please do not take my word for it! I was seeking other views, not stating a fact.

The NAASA site does talk about videoing an eclipse, though. Take a look there and see what they say.

Khandoma · Jul 19th, 2009, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrashanthV

thank you for the research on the photography bit...soo kind of you...appreciate it

No problem ! Let me know how it went.

Quote:

Watching sun at morning and evening hours has not done any harm to my eyes. I have looked at sun with naked eye just before sunset and after sunrise for more than 10 minutes at a stretch, even going a step further of not blinking.

I'm happy for you that you're happy jeopardizing your eyesight for such a valuable goal. All I can say is, the damage to your eye may not be perceptible by you just yet, but you'll love it when it hits, I promise. Oh and thank you for giving such responsible, well-informed advice.

MonkeyBoy4u · Jul 19th, 2009, 20:48

When the eclipse is 100%, you can view it with the naked eye. Even if the eclipse is 99%, you may cause permanent damage to your eyes if you view it.

Problem is, an amateur never knows when the eclipse is 100%

Here is some source of info

Eye safety

I am not sure how they are going to handle safety on the special Jet Lite flight, ideally they should be providing everyone with safety goggles.

PrashanthV · Jul 19th, 2009, 21:01

Hi Sophie and Dave,

Please DO NOT use your handycam to view it during partial eclipse....it will damage your camera as well as most importantly, the eyes!! am sure there will be a lot of people at Varanasi who would have some extra filters with them!!

Khandoma, will surely let you know how it was

Jeff Akins · Jul 19th, 2009, 21:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bhaswaran

Can anyone describe the totality path through India? Will Kolkata be in the totality path? I have learnt that it will be partial from Kolkata but total from North Bengal. Need to go some arid regions for photography. Pray the monsoon clouds did not behave bad that day.

Hi Bhaswaran,

I'll be arriving in India in two weeks, specifically to travel and photograph. Can you recommend any essential equipment I should bring along? I'm in NYC at the moment so B&H is very handy. I purchased a tripod but am wondering if I'll get much use of it, it's not light and it takes up a lot of space, relatively speaking, since I'm backpacking.
If you can think of anything that would be useful in India, photography wise i would appreciate you r advice.
Many thinks. Perhaps we'll meet up at some point and could catch up. I'll be in India at least two years, probably longer.
All the best,
Jeff A.

PrashanthV · Jul 20th, 2009, 10:11

I checked some weather site and it shows its raining in Patna???
Is it so?? can anyone confirm?? it will be a spoil-sport then!!

MonkeyBoy4u · Jul 20th, 2009, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by PrashanthV

I checked some weather site and it shows its raining in Patna???
Is it so?? can anyone confirm?? it will be a spoil-sport then!!

Then my post #64, in this thread is just for you !!

PrashanthV · Jul 20th, 2009, 13:13

That is too costly for comfort Monkeyboy...out of my budget

gabriji · Jul 20th, 2009, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Akins

Hi Bhaswaran,

I'll be arriving in India in two weeks, specifically to travel and photograph. Can you recommend any essential equipment I should bring along? I'm in NYC at the moment so B&H is very handy. I purchased a tripod but am wondering if I'll get much use of it, it's not light and it takes up a lot of space, relatively speaking, since I'm backpacking.
If you can think of anything that would be useful in India, photography wise i would appreciate you r advice.
Many thinks. Perhaps we'll meet up at some point and could catch up. I'll be in India at least two years, probably longer.
All the best,
Jeff A.

Hey Jeff,
I can say is up to you!
At least 2 bodies, give the right weight to B/W, stunning opportunities! Lenses it's depends on your school

. I travel only with fix lenses, that is a pain.. I can raccomend at least a monopode.
Enjoy!!!!

Gabriji

soniya jaiswal · Jul 20th, 2009, 20:02

it was raining.......
but not now......

Jul 19th, 2009, 20:19	#76
Khandoma Gourmet Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Paris Posts: 369	Prashanth dear, Thanks a lot for your answer. If you follow the rules by the book, no, it's not ok to photograph the eclipse without the proper filters. Thing is, when you look through the visor to frame and focus, the rays will hit the lens and then move on to your eye. When you take a picture of a sunset, you look at the general frame, not at the sun. When shooting an eclipse, you instinctively focus at the sun and the area around it. And you stare at it for several seconds in a row. What you may want to do is position your camera in advance, like on a tripod, and shoot without looking into the visor. I understand it's hard, because it's sunrise and the sun will still be ascending during the eclipse, so you need a rather broad frame. Whatever you do, make these eye contacts as brief as possible. Let me see what English-language resource on eclipse photography I can find for you. It's a pretty well-documented area. Talk to you soon ! __________________ Hungry ? Please visit the Image Gallery of my new book, Bon Appétit Mr. Bond !, on 007 and food.

Jul 19th, 2009, 20:31	#79
Sophie and Dave Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: UK Posts: 31	Anyone in Varanasi for the Eclipse? Hi Nick-H, Good news about the digital camera with LCD screen, that was what we were hoping to use (as we haven't got suitable viewing glasses and no-one in Varanasi seems to be trying to sell them as far as we can see) We arrived in Varanasi this morning and are preparing for the eclipse in a few days time. Has anyone found the perfect spot? There seem to be plenty of roof top restaurants as well as the Ghats to view it from that hopefully won't be packed. If any fellow travellers want to meet for a cup of chai we are staying near the Harishchandra Ghat. Happy eclipse watching Sophie and Dave

Jul 19th, 2009, 20:48	#83
MonkeyBoy4u Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 256	When the eclipse is 100%, you can view it with the naked eye. Even if the eclipse is 99%, you may cause permanent damage to your eyes if you view it. Problem is, an amateur never knows when the eclipse is 100% Here is some source of info Eye safety I am not sure how they are going to handle safety on the special Jet Lite flight, ideally they should be providing everyone with safety goggles. __________________ Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-- I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference ~ Robert Frost

Jul 19th, 2009, 21:01	#84
PrashanthV Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: bangalore Posts: 8	To Sophie and Dave Hi Sophie and Dave, Please DO NOT use your handycam to view it during partial eclipse....it will damage your camera as well as most importantly, the eyes!! am sure there will be a lot of people at Varanasi who would have some extra filters with them!! Khandoma, will surely let you know how it was Last edited by PrashanthV : Jul 19th, 2009 at 21:02. Reason: Edit

Jul 20th, 2009, 10:11	#86
PrashanthV Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: bangalore Posts: 8	Raining in Patna?? I checked some weather site and it shows its raining in Patna??? Is it so?? can anyone confirm?? it will be a spoil-sport then!!

Jul 19th, 2009, 20:27	#77
Khandoma Gourmet Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Paris Posts: 369	Sure enough - NASA has it all. Main page : http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/eclipsePhoto.html Photography - Excellent basic advice for exposure, opening and framing : http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/SEphoto.html Precise safety warning by a world-renowned expert : http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/safety.html It does say here that if you are in the totality path, you can watch and photograph the eclipse during the totality phase. But a second before, a second after, a fraction of a % below totality, and the risk becomes as big as during the rest of the year. Hope this helps - enjoy your eclipse - and post your photos please !

Jul 19th, 2009, 20:28	#78
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,180	digital/film camera with optical viewfinder --- very dangerous digital camera with LCD screen --- it's hard enough being able to see the image, sometimes, in daylight; I don't believe it can carry an image bright enough to damage.

Jul 20th, 2009, 13:13	#88
PrashanthV Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: bangalore Posts: 8	That is too costly for comfort Monkeyboy...out of my budget

Jul 20th, 2009, 20:02	#90
soniya jaiswal Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Patna, India Posts: 1	it was raining....... but not now......

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