If you ever find yourself in a place where a solar eclipse is visible, don't forget to take a photo as a memory. Well, 9to5Google has created a guide to help Android smartphone owners in this endeavour.
Today's Android phones have excellent camera capabilities, making them ideal for photographing the solar eclipse. You can even get professional-quality pictures without a fancy SLR camera, the publication writes.
Before the big day, familiarize yourself with the camera settings on the fly. During a blackout, the light level changes rapidly. Be prepared to adapt your settings accordingly. Remember that during a total eclipse, almost complete darkness with a bright ring (solar corona) forms around the moon. This crown is still incredibly bright, so never look directly at it.
Although some devices are optional, they can enhance your eclipse photography experience. The most important subject – it's your phone, of course. However, it is recommended to use solar film. It filters out excess sunlight, similar to welding helmets, but is less durable. Look for special solar film designed for camera lenses, or as a last resort regular dark glasses will work.
A tripod helps a lot, especially when shooting long exposures, which may be necessary for some eclipse shots.< /p>
Your phone's main lens won't be enough to capture the sun and moon together. Use a telephoto lens to get a closer image. Avoid extreme zoom options, as they often result in reduced image quality. Aim for a 20-30x zoom for optimal results. The Pixel 8 Pro does a great job of this thanks to its excellent AI post-processing capabilities.
For optimal control, switch to manual mode in the cameras, where you'll find settings like ISO (sensor sensitivity) and shutter speed ( image capture speed). A higher ISO lets you capture more light, and a lower shutter speed lets more light in, but requires a very sturdy phone. Don't worry, the phone usually shows a live image preview as you adjust the settings, making it easy to visualize the result. Practice the settings in advance by sending your solar film phone into the sun (at a safe time, not during the eclipse itself) and be prepared for the solar eclipse.