My wife and I went to Hot Springs, Arkansas to view and photograph the total eclipse. We just got back late yesterday. I already made a post of some of my photos. Well, I tried to teach my wife how to use my ancient, Sony A580 which is just a little older than my other ancient Sony camera, which is the one I use every day, the Sony A77 ll.

Anyway, I had a hard time teaching her. She just didn't want to learn. I made some quick settings and told her to click the shutter. Here are the results from her camera. Not too shabby!

Here's one from my own efforts and my lessons from it.

The focus was not sharp. I began the session trying to focus on the sun's edge before the moon began to obscure the sun; it was not effective. The edge of the sun is in-distinct and more so if over exposed. Preliminary research on the subject recommended exposing with a spot meter and centering the meter. I believe that resulted in over exposed images and that I would have been better served lowering it down to where sunspots became visible. Sun spots could be used to assist with focus. The edge of the moon could also have been used to good effect particularly with a lower exposure. That was an omission made that should have been done and would have probably been effective or at least an improvement.

The camera was set up in advance for exposure bracketing. The increment was 0.7 EV, 0.3 would have been better. Also, there are two options for bracketing order, Low - nominal - high and nominal - low - high. For a Nikon for exampe, if "apply settings to live view" (d9 is on) and the bracketing order is low - nominal - high the view finder will reflect the under exposed image (number one in the sequence). This can be misleading and “fool” the photographer into an erroneous adjustment to increase the exposure as it did I.

In all it was a worthwhile experience beyond just the photographic challenges and lessons. The environmental changes alone were moving. Cooling and the breezes from it, shadow bands and rainbow colors in the clouds along with the changing quality of light. Those of us who were lucky enough to see it were blessed.

Here's one from my own efforts and my lessons from it.

The focus was not sharp. I began the session trying to focus on the sun's edge before the moon began to obscure the sun; it was not effective. The edge of the sun is in-distinct and more so if over exposed. Preliminary research on the subject recommended exposing with a spot meter and centering the meter. I believe that resulted in over exposed images and that I would have been better served lowering it down to where sunspots became visible. Sun spots could be used to assist with focus. The edge of the moon could also have been used to good effect particularly with a lower exposure. That was an omission made that should have been done and would have probably been effective or at least an improvement.

The camera was set up in advance for exposure bracketing. The increment was 0.7 EV, 0.3 would have been better. Also, there are two options for bracketing order, Low - nominal - high and nominal - low - high. For a Nikon for exampe, if "apply settings to live view" (d9 is on) and the bracketing order is low - nominal - high the view finder will reflect the under exposed image (number one in the sequence). This can be misleading and “fool” the photographer into an erroneous adjustment to increase the exposure as it did I.

In all it was a worthwhile experience beyond just the photographic challenges and lessons. The environmental changes alone were moving. Cooling and the breezes from it, shadow bands and rainbow colors in the clouds along with the changing quality of light. Those of us who were lucky enough to see it were blessed.

Have you considered adding the Faroe Islands to your trip? When we finished a tour of Iceland two years ago we flew to the Faroes and self auto toured for five days. It was one our best travel decisions. The photo opportunities were amazing. You can drive to many of the islands via under water tunnels. We stayed in Torshavn at the Hilton Garden Inn which was just outside Torshavn with easy access to roads leading to other parts of the islands. We were just as enthusiastic about the Faroes as Iceland and that is saying a lot as you know. You’ve got great choices.