Use these tips to photograph the eclipse and avoid damaging your phone or camera

The last time the United States saw a total solar eclipse was back in 2017. Since then, the cameras in our smartphones have gotten even better at capturing the rare phenomenon.

But just like our eyes, even the most high-tech lenses can be damaged from the eclipse, so there are steps to take to keep your eyes and your phone safe.

When the 2024 solar eclipse takes place Monday, it’ll pass through several time zones and have a totality path of 115 miles on average. While Chicago will see 94% coverage, some locations, including Carbondale and other parts of Southern Illinios, will experience totality for about four minutes. Weather permitting, folks will be able to walk outside and witness the event as it happens.

Use these tips to best capture the moment:

Protect your eyes and your phone

Eclipse glasses should be worn to safely view the event with your own eyes. Using solar film or holding your glasses over the lens can protect your phone and eyes from damage.

Ashlee Rezin, acting Sun-Times photo desk editor, will be wearing glasses to photograph the eclipse.

“We rely on our eyes and cameras to do our jobs, and more,” Rezin said. “It’s too important and there’s too much at stake to risk not taking protective measures. It was a no-brainer.”

NASA experts recommend you visit the American Astronomical Society’s (AAS) Reputable Vendors of Solar Filters & Viewers page to find a verified list of eclipse glasses and handheld solar viewers, although the Adler Planetarium and other locations will be giving away glasses for free.

Approved AAS eyewear contains darker filters than normal sunglasses, which blocks almost all light, providing the best protection.

Purchase a zoom lens attachment

A zoom lens attachment will protect your camera and phone while also providing zoom. If you try to zoom in on your phone, it will appear hazy. However, with the attachment, the total solar eclipse will appear much clearer.

NASA recommends a “zoom lens attachment that will give you 12x to 18x.”

Practice taking your eclipse shot

Practice never hurts. Photographing the moon to get a sense of how large the sun-in-eclipse will appear through your smartphone’s lens or a lens attachment is a good start.

Most phone cameras automatically adjust exposure, making eclipse photography difficult with only four minutes to work with. The more test shots you take in the days before the eclipse, the less time you’ll waste.

Look around you

Although it sounds like the only photos you should capture are of the eclipse, there are many more photographic opportunities.

Brian Ernst, Sun-Times’ director of digital operations, suggests photographing the scene.

“Depending on weather conditions, the surrounding area could look like a sunrise/sunset in every direction,” Ernst said.

Photographing the eclipse is one of the best ways to preserve the memory, but pointing your camera at friends and family as they enjoy the experience or photographing the landscape as it changes during the eclipse is another great way to savor the moment.

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