Can You Look At Solar Eclipse Through Phone Camera

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Unless you lot've been living nether a rock, you undoubtedly know virtually the total solar eclipse moving across the US on Monday, August 21. Of course, where you lot live (or plan on traveling to) will touch on just how much of the eclipse yous tin see, merely nevertheless, even if yous can merely see a small portion of it, you surely desire to take photos. Right?

And since our phones are oftentimes our camera likewise, hither are some tips to take the best eclipse photos you tin use with an iPhone or Android device.

Here'due south everything you need to know about the eclipse.

Protective glasses are a good thought

It should go without saying, only I'd exist remiss if I didn't mention it: If you're going to look directly at the lord's day during the eclipse, you need to wear protective glasses. Not doing then tin cause permanent harm to your optics, and nobody wants that.

Putting those aforementioned glasses on your phone is also recommended. The eclipse shouldn't harm your telephone'south photographic camera, just even NASA can't guarantee it won't happen (details are in the downloadable document). NASA suggests using the spectacles will assist you lot get the best shot possible by reducing glare and eliminate the potential for impairment. Utilize a modest piece of Scotch tape if you're having a hard fourth dimension placing the glasses over your phone's lens.

Tripod

Use a tripod or selfie stick to agree your device however. Not just does this allow you lot to lookout man the eclipse without having to agree up your phone, but it will ensure y'all take a photograph with the best results.

Here are three DIY tripods y'all can make yourself with common household items.

Lock focus and exposure

Most phones have a photographic camera app that allows you to lock both the focal point and the overall exposure. Once you have your telephone placed on a tripod, long-press on the display to lock in the focus on the sun itself. From there, typically, yous volition demand to slide a finger up or down on the brandish to suit the exposure amount.

In this example, you lot will undoubtedly desire to lower the exposure setting in social club to balance out the brightness of the sun.

Take a time-lapse

For the set-it-and-forget crowd, the easiest style to capture the entire eclipse is to have a time-lapse video.

Popular phones such as the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy line all have a built in time-lapse mode. Open the camera app, select time-lapse mode, and press the shutter push. The phone will take care of the residue.

For Android devices, such as the Google Pixel, without a fourth dimension-lapse setting, you will need to install a tertiary-party app. I recommend Camera FV-5 but there are enough of other options in the Play Store. Only search for time lapse apps and find one that works best for y'all.

Remote shutter

Keep your (protected) eyes on the eclipse to watch the real affair, and don't watch through your phone'due south display. Instead of running over to your telephone at the precise moment y'all want to accept a photograph, use a remote shutter to trigger the camera and capture the shot.

Apple Watch owners can use the camera app installed on the watch to open and trigger the iPhone's photographic camera. Call up in that location's a iii or x-second countdown, so fourth dimension information technology accordingly.

Android Wear users can also use ane of the many apps in the Play Store to perform the same office. About of the apps listed equally a remote shutter haven't been updated in some time, so I'm not linking directly to 1 specific app. My advice is to install a few of them and find i that works with your phone.

If you don't accept a smart sentry, use a pair of headphones and push the volume up or down button while the Photographic camera app is open up and active.