MWojton Loc: Yardley, PA

So it just dawned on me today ( the day before the eclipse) that I should try and get some shots of it. I am north of Philly in the 91% totality zone. I know you need filters for your cameras and phones ( which I don’t have). But I do have glasses. Is holding my glasses over the lens safe?
Also, an article I read said that for a few minutes during totality, it is safe to remove the filters. I wonder if that will be safe in my area (at 91%)?

Tomfl101 Loc: Mount Airy, MD

No definitely not. The 9% still visible will be too bright without the special glasses.

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

No to sunglasses. No to photographing w/o a proper filter at 91% totality. There will be many burnt camera sensors later on Monday.
Apparently the mylar plastic from a helium balloon will work (multiple layers, probably?), but try it with your eyes first (but only briefly). Be very careful that the aluminum coating is not scratched.

There are several tricks for viewing the eclipse safely, by using a pin-hole camera method that projects a tiny spotlight of the sun on a white surface. The dappled shadows under trees also give a nice effect.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

If you are at 91% "totality", you are not in totality at all. You are in a partial total eclipse only - no totality at all. You need to go to where you are in total shadow (100%), not partial shadow (91%). If you are in the area of total shadow, during totality you will need no filters for your camera, phone, or eyes. Otherwise, you will need your solar glasses for your eyes before and after true totality. And unless the glasses are big enough to cover the full front of the camera lens or all of the lenses on your phone, your glasses should not be used for them. There is a chance that the light going around the glasses will cause damage. It is not worth the risk.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

The next USA total eclipse is in 2045. But there will be other eclipses before that in other areas of the world. Enjoy this one with just your solar glasses and prep for the 2045 one or go to another one elsewhere in the world. They are always worth it if you can make it to one. Otherwise, you will have to make the trip to Ohio, the very corner of Pennsylvania, Canada, Vermont, or Maine. At least, these areas have the best chances of viewing with the least chances of clouds.

CliffMcKenzie Loc: Lake Athens Texas

1. You cannot look through solar glasses then any device for a lot reasons. Also you cannot hold your solar glasses over the lens.
2. Totality means 100%, at 1% filter must go back on the camera.
3. Use your smart phone to shoot around you...cool shadows and no filter needed.

Idea, go into the city and get what you need.

MJPerini

I think there are going to be lots of fried cameras tomorrow, and fear a lot of damaged eyes.
Most folks are simply not paying attention to the solid month or warnings.
Be careful, be safe

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Unfortunately, there will be people with damaged eyesight. People think of the sun as an everyday thing that causes sunburn with long enough exposure. Then they try "viewing" the concentrated sunlight of a DSLR telephoto lens. Usually instant burning and blinding of one's eye. There will be an unfortunate number of them tomorrow.

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

First, yes, during totality it’s safe to remove and photograph without a filter.

Short of totality, you need glasses and a filter.

I am in Cleveland hoping for good weather tomorrow.

coolhanduke Loc: Redondo Beach, CA

Sad to say, you are correct.

It’s a difficult thing to try and get your camera dialed in for the eclipse.

In doing so, don’t burn out your retna! Or your camera chip! I did testing today. With filter, on manual, at 1/1000th at f/8, I got great exposure. In Clevland.

I used bracketing, 5 shots, at 1/3rd increments.

At totality, remove your filter and go for it.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

You are in one of the few possible cloud free areas. I wish you all the luck with your shooting. Out of the three I have gone to, two were an A- and a B+. The third one was clouded out one minute before totality. If you get some good chromesphere shots, be sure to put them up. Some of the other things to look for, the shadow coming towards you, the darkening of the horizon, the narrow strip of yellow/orange atmosphere on the horizon, the darkening of the sky such that the stars and planets come out (download a map of where the planets and stars will be), feel the temperature drop (especially at totality), and look for possible sunbands (shadow bands, similar to waves, on the ground). If there are animals, watch their behaviors as totality approaches. Photos to try for are Bailey's Beads (coming and going), diamond ring (coming and going), and bracketed exposures of the chromesphere. And don't forget to just take a moment from everything going on around you and look at the eclipse. Most of us that see one want to see as many more as we can. Eclipses can be addictive. And usually anything short of seeing another total eclipse is just a "ho-hum" partial eclipse. That is why I am going to check NASA's site for where the next ones are. Again, good luck tomorrow.

petrochemist Loc: UK

If you don't have the filter your only safe option this late in the day is indirect viewing. Project the suns image onto a flat surface & photograph that.
A pinhole in a fairly large bit of card could do, though I used an old lens to photograph the transit of mercury a few decades back:)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Great excuse to buy a new camera. "Gee, I forgot to use a filter on my lens. Oh, well, I guess I'll have to buy a new camera."

Julian Loc: Sarasota, FL

Please, define ‘true totality’. I am confused!

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

When one is in the umbra, not the penumbra.
"Close" to totality may not be good (safe) enough.