AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

On doing the eclipse at "home." I had planned on going to my farm in Illinois, but recently discovered it's 15 miles outside the totality range. I could go to my niece's in Indiana, but that's even further to drive. And I just saw a map that claimed that only in south Texas would there be clear skies. I guess i could go to Waco, but I don't know a soul there and I wouldn't know where to set up. And it would mean doing the hotel/restaurant bit that would get really expensive.

I'm getting really discouraged.

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

Don’t get discouraged! Find a location in the totality area. Set up your gear. If you can, book an Air BnB and go with a few friends. If you can’t or don’t want a room to hang out at, set up a tent (rent one). You could rent a camper for a few days.

Make sure you have a 500mm or better lens. Don’t forget the proper filter. Make sure you have a reliable and sturdy tripod. If you want to get a video of the eclipse. You can get all the photo gear you will need at B&H

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Thanks for the encouragement.

UTMike Loc: South Jordan, UT

Waco is not South Texas, Kathy.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Well, it's south of Dallas! The weather map showed everything south of Dallas as expecting clear skies.

dougsmithsatx Loc: San Antonio TX

Weather forecasts that far in advance are not real accurate. The first days of April should provide a better idea of what to expect on April 8th.

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

Bear in mind that the entire timeframe of the eclipse is a few minutes - and even from the very beginning of the moon starting to cover the edge of the sun until the time it finally exposes the sun completely is only a few hours. Plus - you do not need to be in some special place to capture it - you are basically going to be loking up. My point is - driving all of 15 miles and finding a parking lot is not (or at least hopefully is not) that big a deal.

Last October, I drove 3 hours to Roswell to catch the previous eclipse - and took my shots from the parking lot of the motel in which i was staying. In April I am driving 9 hours to San Antonio to get in the path, but again will likely just set up in the parking lot of the motel.

That said - you must use a special (typically 17 stop) ND filter in order to shoot the sun directly - otherwise if you use a DSLR you can blind yourself, but with a mirrorless camera you will destroy the sensor by pointing the lens directly at the sun. Also, I opted to shoot in exposure bracket mode, in case the meter was fooled by the unusual lighting. Oh, and these were taken with a Fuji X-T5 and 150-600MM lens plus 2X TC, in case you're wondering.

Anyway, my point is, you don't need to make a huge fuss - as long as you have the solar filter to protect your camera (and eye) - and given you are merely 15 miles from the path of totality it seems to me a no brainer to make the drive.

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alberio Loc: Casa Grande AZ

Go to your farm, then drive the 15 miles and find an open field, parking lot, roadside pullout, or anywhere you see other people setting up. The weather is definitely the biggest concern. Good luck, at least you get to go.

Basil_O Loc: Minneapolis, MN

I agree. Go to the farm. Check a weather app to see where the sky is most likely to be clear along the path and then drive there. All you need is a spot to park and look up from. I sat in my trunk along a country road the last time. There was a local farmer selling parking spots on top of a hill on his property. I admired his effort, but opted to drive a few hundred more feet and park for free.

Be flexible and have fun. There won't be another one for quite a while.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

You are so correct. Unfortunately, I cannot wait until then to make plans.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Actually, someone gave me the idea of parking at Walmart in Effingham, which is on the edge of the totality range. Obviously I can do that. The thing is, I would be driving 1700 miles one way to get there! Then, if it's overcast, I've sort of wasted a lot of driving!

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

You make it sound so simple. I don't know why for me it isn't.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Since I'm related to several farmers, and I was hoping to set up in a field somewhere. I don't think people there will start charging for parking, but you never know!

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

Well that, of course, is an entirely different problem...for which there is no pat solution. You'll just have to wait and see...and if the forecast looks decent a few days in advance make a run for it.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

I usually plan these trips well in advance. It has been a long time since I just "made a run for it!" Quite frankly, I hadn't thought of that!