LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The total solar eclipse passing over parts of Kentucky is just days away, and for anyone hoping to successfully capture the eclipse, there are few photography tips that will help.
Recently Spectrum News 1 visited Murphy’s Camera in Louisville to visit with a photographer excited to capture the celestial event. Ayrica Bishop is a lifelong photographer and education coordinator for Murphy’s Camera. Bishop captured her first solar eclipse in 2017 and is preparing for the upcoming eclipse.
“You’re going to see even more of the flares,” Bishop said of the impending event.
When it comes to photographing an eclipse, not every camera or lens is created equal according to Bishop.
“This is a 150-600 (lens). That would be a great lens to have,” she said, referring to one of the telephoto zoom lenses they sell, designed to capture objects from great distances.
Lately, social media and news sites have been featuring amazing photos of past eclipses.The way a photographer can produce that image is with a telephoto lens or a spotting scope. These are heavy duty piece of camera equipment that carry quite the price. Even used versions of these types of lense can cost hundreds of dollars.
The helpful part about photographing the eclipse, while in totality a solar filter is not required. However, shooting a partial eclipse without a special filter can damage your camera’s sensor and your eyes. But what about taking pictures with your phone at totality?
“Not really, because it’s just going to be a white ring. That’s all you’re going to see. So you really won’t see anything,” Bishop explained.
Murphy’s Camera is a very popular place this time of year, with a certain horse race approaching that is widely photographed and the store’s rental lenses have long been booked for April 8. Even their viewing glasses are sold out.
If you still needed viewing glasses, you better move quick if buying online. Of course, if you are in the path of totality, for those four minutes or so you can safely view the eclipse with the naked eye. No accessories needed.
Bishop will be in Indiana hoping to capture more amazing photos. Conveniently enough, Bishop’s brother lives in the path of totality.