The sun, our primary energy source, is a powerful object that can be difficult to capture.
The sun is the center of our solar system and is responsible for giving light and heat to the earth. It is also a fascinating photographic target.
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The sun is the center of our solar system. This natural fusion reactor continuously spews out light and heat needed for the earth to be habitable. Photographing the sun, although challenging, provides a significant amount of fulfillment and experience that makes you feel closer or connected to the power of the cosmos. It produces some of the most beautiful sunrise and sunset images that flood the internet.
Many aspiring and professional photographers have pointed their cameras at the sun to get good images, only to come out with blurry photos and damaged lenses.
This article will provide some valid information on the needed materials, techniques, and tips on how you can capture beautiful large images of the sun and moon. If you are a beginner in sky photography, you might want to start by capturing the night sky, galaxies, and star trails. For information on how to capture the night sky, click here.
Professional Tips And Tricks Used To Capture The Sun Or Moon And Make Them Look Large
Before we look at the instruments and techniques for photographing the source of energy, it’s essential that we first look at some tips to prevent blurry images and damaged lenses.
The sun produces so much light, enough to cause damage to your eyes and camera lens. Therefore, it is paramount to know the procedures to take and avoid the problems associated with photographing the sun.
Here are some professional tips and cautions to be taken:
1. Be aware of the time of day
The best time to photograph the sun is in the morning or early evening when the brightness is lower in the sky. It’s not advisable to target the sun during mid-day when it’s scorching bright.
2. Do not stare at the sun for long with your naked eyes
Prolonged focus on the sun with naked eyes could lead to permanent eye injuries. However, since photographing this object requires time and eye fixation, it’s advisable to use or wear licensed safety solar viewing shades such as the Lunt Solar Systems Solar Eclipse Glasses.
3. Change your perspective
Try photographing the sun from different angles and distances, especially if you want to get beautiful large images of these objects.
4. Use a telescope or camera lens with a very long focal length
Photographing the sun requires a telescope or camera lens with a very long focal length, but it is possible to take photos without these devices. The photographer must be careful not to look directly at the sun.
5. Use a camera fitted with a certified solar viewing filter
Do not use a camera not equipped with a certified solar viewing filter. These filters are usually dark and can be attached to the front of your lens or installed on the camera’s body to protect the camera lens against the intensity of the sunlight.
Filters also protect your camera’s sensor against other atmospheric and physical conditions. Experts at NASA and professional astrophotography recommend the neutral density (ND) filter.
You can check and purchase a neutral density (ND) filter here.
6. Do not look through the viewfinder of an unfiltered camera
The viewfinder can magnify the intensity and brightness of the sun passing through it.
Do not look at the sun through the viewfinder unless your camera is already filtered.
For your safety and that of your camera, adhere to the tips and precautions stated.
Basic Instruments Needed For Photographing The Sun
Photographing the sun may seem like a challenge, but there are some simple ways to make it happen. One of the simple ways to make it happen is to have the right gear.
Here is a list of gear needed to have good sunrise or sunset images without damaging your eyes and camera.
1. Certified solar viewing glasses
You will need a certified solar viewing glass to protect your eyeballs against the sunlight.
2. Tripod
This will help you get the clear and sharpest possible images.
3. Solar filter (ND/Haze)
A solar filter is a must-have for all amateur and professional photographers who want to enjoy their time in the sun without worrying about camera flare or damage to their lenses. When buying a solar filter, ensure to buy the certified and recommended ones by experts such as those at National Science Foundation, space.com, and NASA. Some certified solar filters are Thousand Oaks Optical 58mm solar filter, SL58-T Threaded (SolarLite Film) Solar Filter.
4. Remote control
A remote control is needed to prevent vibrations or camera shakes. The remote control also called a camera timer, allows you to set the countdown and then take a photo with the touch of a button.
5. A digital camera
The ultimate gadget needed in photographing the planetary body is a digital camera. Although you can take shots of the planetary body with a smartphone such as the iPhone, digital cameras have a higher chance of getting the perfect shot because they can adjust the settings according to how bright or dark it is outside. If you want more control over how your photos turn out, it’s best to use a digital camera.
Camera Settings To Use
The sun can be a tricky object to photograph. It is too bright and can appear too small or large in your frame. In this section of the article, let’s take a look at two different camera settings to use:
1. If you are more interested in having a natural (smaller) view of the sun, use this camera setting
- Aperture – f/16
- ISO – 2500
- Focal Length – 200mm
- Use a quick shutter speed.
- Focus: Manual mode
- Shooting mode: Manual
- Image format: Raw
- White balance setting: Daylight.
2. Use this setting to get large images of the sun
- ISO: Since the sun is already bright, you can use your native or default camera ISO setting. Default ISO settings are usually between 100-200 ISO depending on the manufacturer and camera model. The higher the ISO number is, the more sensitive it is to light, and therefore the less light you need to capture a perfect large image of the sun.
- Set the focus mode to manual – to prevent automatic capturing of unnecessary objects in the sky.
- Use a lower aperture: The lower your aperture setting, the more of your image will be in focus.
- Shutter speed: 10-20 seconds. The longer you leave your shutter open, the more light will enter your camera and produce a brighter image. However, a longer shutter speed will cause blurry images because anything moving within your frame will be out of focus. The earth’s rotation keeps the sun in motion, so you are advised to use a shorter shutter speed.
- Whitebalance- Daylight.
- Exposure mode- manual
Professional Procedures For Sunlight Photography
Photographing the sun could be an intimidating task, but here are some professional step-by-step procedures to follow if you want to capture the object in all its glory.
1. Find a suitable location
The first thing to do is find a place with less light pollution or other distracting atmospheric or physical elements. A conducive field will help you to avoid glares in your photographs. You could take shoots from an open land, hill, or river banks.
2. Set up your equipment
Steady your tripod, mount your camera accordingly with a wide-angle lens, and adjust the settings. Ensure to equip your camera with a solar filter, and wear a solar viewing glass to protect your eyes.
3. Focus
This could be a challenging task, especially for beginners, since the sun is scorching bright, appears to be moving with the earth, and could be covered with clouds. The planetary body also appears as a small object in the sky, and it could be hard to have your camera fixed on it. Here is when the solar viewing shade comes into action.
4. Shoot
With the camera set and focused on the sun, you can take a few test shots from different angles and then adjust your ISO, aperture, and shutter speed settings when necessary.
Photographing the sun or any planetary body could be tedious. But, with the right gears, determination, and regular practice, you can find it very easy and fun.
In addition to the simple procedures, ensure to adhere to the tips stated earlier for your safety and fun-filled sun photography.
Related Article: ” How To Do Abstract Nature Photography? Tips And Ideas “
How Do You Photograph Red Sun?
Photographing a red sunset can be a great way to capture something that is both visually engaging and beautiful. The best time to do this is at twilight when the sun has set below the horizon.
There are various ways to photograph a red sun. The simplest way is to use a filter that blocks all other colors and leaves the red color. Such filters are available in most photography stores, or you can make your own by using a sheet of red cellophane or a few drops of food coloring in water. Another method is by focusing on capturing light rays from the sun instead of its color.
Camera Settings For Red Sun Photography
- White balance: daylight
- The aperture setting should be smaller (large f-number like f/18 or f/22)
- ISO100
- Focus mode: manual
- Use a faster shutter speed
TIP
The best way to photograph a red sun is to use the rule of thirds. You should set up your camera so that the sun is either off-center or in the lower third of your frame. You can also experiment with different shutter speeds and apertures to see which one gives you the best results.
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FQAs
How Can I Focus On The Sun?
The sun is the primary source of light in photography. It is also a leading challenge as it can be blinding, and its light can be too harsh for some camera parts. Nevertheless, you can focus on the sun with a certified solar viewing glass.
Can You Point A Camera At The Sun?
You can point a camera at the sun, but ensure to protect the camera lens with a filter or lens cap.
What ISO Should Be Used In Bright Sunlight?
The sun is bright enough, so a lower ISO should be used in sunlight photography.
What are techniques used to capture the sun or moon and make them look large in photos and movies?
The best technique used by Movie producers and astrophotographers to make the sun or moon look large in photos and movies is the use of long focal lenses and a foreground containing an object ( like a mountain, tree) between them and the planetary bodies.
Here are some examples of long focal lenses used
1. A fisheye lens
This lens magnifies and captures anything that appears within its view or circumference.
2. An ultra-wide-angle lens
An ultra-wide-angle lens captures close-ups images of the sun, moon, and any other objects in the sky.
3. A telephoto lens
A telephoto lens captures images of the sun or moon from a distance and magnifies them.
Can Shooting Into The Sun Damage Sensor?
Shooting into the sun with an unfiltered camera can damage its sensor. However, it depends on the light intensity and the exposure time. The sensor will be damaged if the light intensity is high enough.
How Do You Make Your Pictures Look Massive In The Sun?
You can use a long focal camera lens to make your pictures appear massive in the sun.