July 30, 2017

More boring photo stuff as I practice for the Total Eclipse.  Actually, due to circumstances, we are not going to try to get in the direct sun path.  All, and I mean all, lodging has been secured by the early birds and to take a day trip to Dillard, GA one can expect a 10-12 hour day to take pictures.  Most of which would be travel time due to the expected crowds.  Finding a good location is the other consideration.  We will go out on a pontoon boat, with our friends, on Lake Lanier, which will be much more convenience and less stressful. 

Today's picture of the sun was from yesterday as I practiced, but... after hearing about 'how to locate the sun without looking directly at it.' I made "The Ray Carroll Sun-Locator."  The concept is NOT mine, but the material used is.

The canister is an old photo film canister.  I plan to add Velcro so I can secure it to my camera using the little black plastic cover of the flash attachment.  AND... another shout out for Duct Tape;  I will put Duct Tape around the cylinder to cut out any light transferring into it from that direction.

Next photo shows that I drilled a small hole in the bottom end of it.  I cut our some Solar Filter and light card stock, with matching holes, and then inserted it into that end to only let the light from the sun enter through the hole.

In the last photo, one can see a bright, white dot just off center due to not taking the time to align it precisely.  That dot is the light coming through from the other end and shining on the cap end.  I used this to align the first photo without much difficulty.

July 17, 2017 (2)

This post is about how I took the pictures of the sun yesterday and my disclaimer is that 'this is how I did it and is not meant to be the only way to do it.'

Basic equipment was a tripod, a camera (duh!!!), a remote control, a solar lens cap, which I made, and, most importantly, solar glasses purchase on Amazon.  Other considerations are the ISO, Shutter Speed, and Aperture settings.  There is much to consider and that is why practice is a must.

First and again, most important, are the solar glasses.  If you look at the next to the last picture posted previously, it is a good representation of how the sun will look as you look directly at the sun.  During the total eclipse of the sun, the glasses need to be removed because it will be black.  Be sure to read the directions for using the glasses.

The lens on the glasses is a solar filter sheet, of which there are many different ones.  From the directions that I have, it is best not to touch the lens paper and definitely do not use them if they get scratched.

The following two pictures are of a lens cover that I made from a cardboard core.  I cut the Black Polymer Filter Sheet, which I purchase on Amazon, to fit the cardboard core, glued and taped it with Duct Tape... add that to the many uses of Duct Tape.

There are many Solar Filter available for purchase at varying prices on the Internet.  I choose to do this so I can slip it on and off the lens without difficulty.  It has to come off as the moon totally eclipses the sun because there will be no light.

I does not matter that the filter sheet has a wrinkle in it.  That will not affect the picture.

The settings for the picture (the last two pictures from previous post) that I think would be correct are a starting point for me for the lens that I used yesterday, which was at 200mm.

SETTINGS:

ISO                    100 (The lower, the better)
Shutter Speed:   1 second
Aperture:           36f

I have a lens coming that is 500mm and will need to practice with it when it arrives to get a starting point for that lens.

July 17, 2017

I was practicing taking pictures of the sun yesterday in anticipation of the Total Eclipse on August 21.  There is much involved in this and there are a wide range of suggestions on the Internet, for the hobbyist to the "Eclipse Chasers."  One has to consider the tracking of the sun, equipment, camera settings, and so forth.

These pictures are a progression of my practice yesterday and I will do a second posting about the mechanics that I employed a little later today.  BEST TO CLICK ON A PICTURE TO ENLARGE THEM.

The first picture is of the sun behind the clouds as I set up.  The next four are of different camera setting, as I tried to get what I think is the best setting from which to begin shooting the eclipse.

The last picture is a cropped photo of the previous photo, with which I was satisfied.  The problem is in knowing how much to change the camera settings as the eclipse progresses. 

July 6, 2017

I have an appreciation for Graffiti Art and was greatly impressed with some that we saw as we walked around Stravanger, Norway a couple of years ago.  The first picture is an example.

Apart from the beautiful views atop on Bell Mountain, there is something else that stands out.  Graffiti...  Some of it is well done, however, the greater portion of it is just graffiti.  That is not to say that I do not like the photos that I was able to take of it.

Of course, it being the Fourth of July, I was happy to get a couple of flag pictures.  Also, note the third picture.  Does the rock formation look like a lion of a dog?

July 5, 2017

We took an afternoon trip to Hiawassee, GA yesterday to go to the top of Bell Mountain.  I wanted to see if it would be a good location to take pictures of the Total Sun Eclipse on August 21.  It is about a two hour trip and as you can see from the pictures, the sun was not shining.  The road to the top is very steep, narrow, and curvy.  The views are fabulous, but it may be to congested for shooting the eclipse and there are no 'facilities.'

At one point, there is a 360 degrees vista, which happens to be on a rock pile that I will post later, along with pictures of graffiti on the rocks.   There are landings from which to enjoy the views.  When you see the steps, know that there are 108 steps to the top.

The lake in the distance is Lake Chatuge, which is a man-made lake, as is all the lakes in Georgia.  I believe that they dammed the Hiawassee River to create the lake.

June 28, 2017

I took this picture as I left the house for work this morning.  I forget the name of the flower, which I planted this spring and it is the only blossom so far.  I did color the background to hide the concrete on which the pot set.

I am always amazed at the handiwork of God in His creation.  When I see flowers as this one and many others, sunrises, sunsets, and on and on, I think to myself, "Only God can do this!"

Click on the picture to enlarge it.

June 25, 2017

The first picture is my first attempt at photographing the sun, without any filters and accessories, in preparation the the total solar eclipse on August 21.  It was taken an 3:00 pm and it was a party cloudy day.  It is amazing, but there are no rooms available that are located near the path of the sun that day.  Fortunately, we live within two hours of the path.

The remaining pictures are of our neighbors on the other side of our fence in the back yard.  They love carrots and the largest horse pushes the others out of the way.  He wants all the carrots.  Probably, that is why he is so big.