I am using an ICE Optical Glass Filter ND100000. Interesting that different filter brands yield different colors of the sun. Since these filters are so expensive, and I won't see another Solar eclipse in my lifetime, I'll stick with this one and make the appropriate adjustments in Photoshop Elements.....I read recently that there will not be another totality solar eclipse IN THIS EXACT PATH for 1,000 years!

Just tried a practice shot full sun (a little cloudy and very cold). Shot in RAW and JPEG. Spot Metering Manual setting. Focal length 400mm, Exposure 1/1000, f/18, ISO 100. Hue was BLUE. I was able to change the hue in Photoshop Elements Color/Hue.

I can go from this to bracketing to make more adjustments as needed.

Thanks a lot everyone.

Pray for full sunshine on April 8 at Lake Fork, TX (and everywhere else along the path...

Based on what I think you are saying ("it's the filter, stupid"), I did a test with my NIK filter Color Efex 4. Selected Infrared film Color 4 and played with the sliders. This brought out the yellow/orange color of the sun. I have over 250 "practice" shots from last October. I will continue to practice on sunny days. I am wearing my $2 Walmart special Solar Eclipse paper sunglasses (NASA approved), so safety first!
I am now relieved that I can get the "money shot" in April. I shot the lunar eclipse in January, 2019. Fabulous shots from my patio. This time will be from the fishing pier with no obstructions. I will also practice with bracketing. I haven't used that feature in quite some time.
Thanks for the quick replies and great analysis.

In anticipation of the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse, I practiced with the October, 2023 solar eclipse. My location for the 2023 eclipse was about an 80% coverage. In 2024, I will be in totality with 4 minutes, 18 seconds of totality. I can't wait!
But, I need to know what I am doing wrong to get only b/w images. I set the camera (Canon 5D mark iv) on Aperture Priority (f11) and let the camera worry about the shutter speed. I have a 10,000 filter on a Canon 100-400 lens set at 400.
I would appreciate any advise on the color issue.

I ordered the Sony RX10/IV and returned it. Everyone seems to love it, but I didn't. Too heavy to put in my pocket. Not impressed with zoom focus clarity. Too expensive. RAW not really raw. I was looking for a replacement for my old Nikon S9100 which was my travel camera to Greece. I am still looking for a replacement camera for my old Nikon S9100.

Will use my Canon 5D Miv with 24-105 and 2 primes (24mm and 55mm) for low light for my trip to Egypt -- if I get to go. My Samsung S10e phone camera is aweful. My old Samsung S5 takes much better photos, but doesn't solve the problem with telephoto functionality. Can't walk on water to get closer to get shoreline shots while boating down the Nile. Nikon S9100 has 18x zoom with acceptable zoom focus clarity.

I am too old -- lately referred to as "elderly" to shoot without a tripod with heavy telephoto lens.

Neighbor asked for a Red Headed Woodpecker px. That was a year ago. He finally showed up in my yard and I took advantage of his one-day visit.

Canon 7D MII, Canon 100-400L II lens set at 300mm. Auto focus with 1/800 shutter speed and f/9 exposure, iso 400 (not auto iso) taken at mid day on a bright sunny East Texas May afternoon. Camera set on tripod on the back porch.

(Download)

I began my photo life at the age of 14. Ten years later, I had my first job and a 35mm camera. It quickly became my passion. Since retirement (13 yrs ago) I have had spurts of Photo fun intermixed with external extractions. My backyard is filled with wildlife and flora and a beautiful view of Lake Fork. I got tired of golf 3 yrs ago and switched my funds to new photo equipment. I feel like I make a "hole in 1" @ photo shots lots more than @ golf (never!).

Better camera (7DII), better tripod (used gitzo) and ballhead (RRS BH-55), longer lens (100-400 L series). Looking forward to a 5DIII when funds become available.

But the real change was in post processing. I have always enjoyed printing (had a darkroom before retirement). Now I have transitioned to a nice digital darkroom. It began with an upgraded printer (Epson R2000) and newer version of PS Elements (14). Then added NIK, ON1 (free version), and a select few Topaz plugins. Then came the newer version film scanner (Canon Canoscan 9000F) which allowed me to digitize 35 years of 35mm negatives for reprinting or re-purposing. Shots I made 25 years ago have now come back to life, better than ever.

One of the biggest upgrades has been UlgyHedghog.com forum. I look forward to every Monday morning. There is a tidbit or 2 in almost every week's edition that helps me in my passion. And, most of these tidbits don't cost me a dime.

As to what I do with my photos, I hang them on the wall of my utility room (gallery I) and have recently expanded to my bathroom (gallery II). As you can imagine, these are for my own pleasure. If a friend wants a copy, I just print it and give it to them. No monetary exchange. That spoils the pleasure for me.

How you pursue your passion in retirement is entirely up to you. Sitting on the back porch or traveling the world. I have done both. But, have fun with it and never let it become a "job".