A total solar eclipse is a rare and awe-inspiring celestial event that you won’t want to miss capturing with your iPhone 15. On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will be visible across parts of Mexico, the United States, and Canada.
Whether you’re in the path of totality or viewing a partial eclipse, your iPhone 15 can help you document this extraordinary occurrence. However, taking pictures of a solar eclipse requires some preparation and special techniques to ensure you get stunning photos while also protecting your eyes and your iPhone’s camera.
Protect Your Eyes and iPhone Camera
Before we dive into the photography techniques, it’s crucial to emphasize the importance of safety. Never look directly at the sun without proper eye protection, as it can cause permanent eye damage. When viewing the eclipse, always wear certified solar eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard.
Similarly, pointing your iPhone’s camera directly at the sun without a solar filter can harm the camera’s sensor. To protect your iPhone 15’s camera, use a special-purpose solar filter that fits securely over the lens. You can purchase solar filters designed specifically for smartphones or make your own using a spare pair of eclipse glasses.
Check: How to Take Clear Photos Of Solar Eclipse With iPhone 15 Pro
Find the Right Location and Time
To capture the best photos of the solar eclipse, scout your location in advance. Look for a spot with a clear view of the sky and minimal obstructions. Consider the time of day when the eclipse will occur and plan accordingly.
The total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, will be visible in different locations at various times, so consult reliable sources like NASA’s eclipse website to determine the best viewing times for your area.
How to Set Up Your iPhone 15
Before the eclipse begins, take some time to familiarize yourself with your iPhone 15’s camera settings. Here are a few key steps to ensure you’re ready to capture the moment:
- Disable the flash: The iPhone’s flash won’t improve your eclipse photos and can ruin the experience for those around you.
- Use a tripod: Stabilizing your iPhone 15 with a tripod will help you avoid blurry images, especially when using zoom or capturing video.
- Adjust focus and exposure: Tap on the screen where you want to set the focus and exposure, then hold until the AE/AF Lock banner appears. This will prevent your iPhone from automatically adjusting these settings during the eclipse.
- Experiment with camera modes: Your iPhone 15 offers various camera modes like Time-lapse, Slo-mo, and Live Photos. Test these out beforehand to see which ones you prefer for capturing the eclipse.
Capture the Partial Phases
During the partial phases of the eclipse, when the moon is gradually covering or uncovering the sun, use your solar filter to take photos. The iPhone 15 Pro models feature a telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, which can help you get a closer view of the eclipse. However, avoid using digital zoom, as it can result in grainy or blurry images.
Bracket your exposures by taking multiple shots with slightly different exposure settings to ensure you have a range of options to choose from later. You can also experiment with compositions by placing the eclipse off-center or including foreground elements for added visual interest.
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Find the Perfect Time to Photograph Totality
If you’re lucky enough to be in the path of totality, you’ll have a brief window of opportunity to capture the solar corona – the sun’s outer atmosphere that’s only visible during a total eclipse. During totality, remove your solar filter to photograph the corona. The iPhone 15’s Night mode can help you capture stunning images of the eclipsed sun and its surroundings in low light conditions.
Use burst mode to take multiple photos in quick succession, increasing your chances of capturing the perfect shot. The iPhone’s burst mode can be activated by holding down the shutter button or using the volume up button.
How to Recor Video and Time-lapse of Solar Eclipse
In addition to still photos, your iPhone 15 can record video and time-lapse footage of the eclipse. Time-lapse is particularly effective for showcasing the progression of the eclipse over time. To create a time-lapse, open the Camera app, swipe left to select Time-lapse mode, compose your shot, and press record.
When recording video during the partial phases, use your solar filter to protect your iPhone’s camera. During totality, remove the filter to capture the stunning details of the solar corona and the eerie darkness that falls over the landscape.