Here’s How to Photograph the Eclipse on Your Smartphone

For the first time in 99 years, there will be a total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21. This once-in-a-lifetime event in which the moon will pass directly in front of the sun is a major photo opportunity, and there are a handful of tricks that can you help get the absolute best images.

First and foremost, protecting your eyes is going to be the primary order of business. If you are going to be looking at the sun during the eclipse, protective glasses are absolutely necessary. Failing to do so can cause permanent damage to your eyes.

While using a professional camera would be the best way to get a great photo of the solar eclipse, there are ways that you can use your smartphone in order to do so. Keep scrolling to learn how to take quality pictures of the eclipse with your phone.

Use a Tripod or Selfie Stick, Tweak Exposure and Lock Focus Features

To get the best photo of the solar eclipse, you will be better able to hold your phone still with a tripod or selfie stick.

Another benefit to using one of these devices is that you will be able to watch the eclipse with your own eyes instead of looking through a lens.

Exposure and Lock Focus Features

Many camera phones have apps that allow you to lock both the exposure and focal point. Place your phone on a tripod or selfie stick and then long-press on the display to lock in the focus on the sun itself.

To adjust the exposure amount, then slide your finger up or down on the display. In this particular situation, you will definitely want to lower the exposure setting so that the brightness of the sun can be balanced out in the photo.

Take a Time-Lapse

If you want a way to capture the solar eclipse without being tied up with a phone in your hands, taking a time-lapse video could be your ideal option.

Phones such as the iPhone and the Samsung Galaxy all have a built-in time-lapse mode. To find this feature, open the camera app, select the time-lapse mode, and press the shutter button.

Next, just leave your phone on the tripod and let the camera do all the rest.

For owners of Android devices, you will need to install a third-party app. One quality option is the Camera FV-5.

Use the Remote Shutter

Another trick that will afford you the opportunity to enjoy the full experience of the eclipse without looking through a camera lens is by using the remote shutter.

To avoid having to run over to your phone at the exact moment you want to take a photo, use a remote shutter to trigger the camera and capture the snap. For Apple Watch owners, you can use the camera app installed on the watch to trigger the camera on your iPhone.

One important thing to remember is that there is usually a three or 10-second countdown after you press the remote shutter.

To perform the same function for Android Wear users, install one of the many apps in the Play Store. There are several different options, and you may want to install several just to make sure the one that you get will work on your device.

For those using a professional camera, there are also several ideas to keep in mind before today’s eclipse.

Taking Photos of the Eclipse With a Professional Camera

In the same way that the human eye is sensitive to the sun’s powerful rays, many cameras experience the same sensitivity. Without the proper filters and equipment, the cameras could sustain damage.

While it may be too late to go out and buy new gear for your camera, Nikon offers a guide to taking pictures of eclipses, and there is a slew of tutorials available on YouTube.

Anyone hoping to snap a quality shot of the eclipse might want to try and use a high-quality camera, if available. Taking pictures of the sun is no simple task for any type of camera, but especially for the camera on your phone.

“The typical lens on a phone is about 28mm,” Nikon ambassador Lucas Gilman says. “And you’re going to need a longer lens to photograph this thing. Typically the camera [on a phone] is at a fixed length, and when you zoom in you’re just cropping pixels, not really zooming in. Your picture is just going to be a teeny blob off in the middle of nowhere and not properly developed.”

Hopefully, with all these tips and tricks you will be able to get that quality shot that will look better than a “teeny blob in the middle of nowhere.”