I remember the last solar eclipse very well in 2017. I was using an LG G6 at the time New York City was in the path of a partial solar eclipse, so I headed to 14th Street Park on the west side of New York to see it with friends. Looking at the photos I took, I can safely say it was a fail.
Times have changed since then, as phones have progressively improved with the addition of dedicated telephoto cameras that allow me to get even closer to my subjects. Considering that the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse is a once-in-a-lifetime event for those of us in the US, and the next one is scheduled for August 2024, I want to make sure I redeem myself by better photographing the occasion with my phone. .
Anyone can take a photo of the next solar eclipse, just like any other photo you take. However, there are ways to make yours stand out from those you’ll see later in the day posted on social media by your friends. That is how.
How to photograph the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse with a phone
See that photo above? That’s what I was able to get with my phone during the last solar eclipse. Today’s phones will produce much better results, even more so if you have any of the ones in our guide to the best camera phones. Not only do they offer incredible dynamic range to help soften the contrasting exposure of your scene, but I would even suggest upgrading to a camera with dedicated optical zoom.
There is a lot of discussion about whether or not it is safe to point your phone cameras directly at the sun. I’ve captured countless sunsets, sunrises, and everything else in between the sun without damaging my phone. Unlike traditional DSLRs that have long-range telephoto lenses that magnify and focus on the image, which can damage the larger sensors on those cameras, phones are not as susceptible due to their small sensors.
However, I can’t stress enough about the potential for damage if you decide to use your phone’s telephoto camera, or if you use one of those attachable telephoto lenses. The safest way to photograph the solar eclipse with your phone is to use an appropriate solar filter.
If you still have a pair of solar eclipse sunglasses lying around, you can use them with your phone. Otherwise, I suggest you get a photo lens that enhances your smartphone’s solar images, like the one below, which is made especially for this purpose.
1. Step 1: Point your phone with the appropriate solar filter towards the sun
(Image: © Futuro)
With the solar lens attached to your phone, or placing your solar eclipse sunglasses over your cameras, point your phone toward the sun. For best results, I recommend switching to your phone’s telephoto camera. That way, there will be more sun in the frame when you take the photo.
Step 2: Set your focus and exposure
(Image: © Futuro)
Solar lenses or eclipse sunglasses will help dim the intensity of the sun. Once you’re pointed at the sun, you’ll need to tap the screen to set the focus and then use the slider to reduce the exposure.
On an iPhone, you’ll see a sun icon after you tap the screen to set focus. The sun icon acts as the camera’s exposure slider, so you’ll want to drag it down to reduce the exposure as much as possible and get more detail around the sun. For Android phones, you can adjust the exposure by touching the screen and sliding the sun icon.
Pro Tip: At some point, your phone will automatically enter its dedicated macro mode because it detects something near the cameras. Just be sure to click out of macro mode if you do this.
Step 3: Take the photo
(Image: © Futuro)
Once you have the exposure and focus set correctly, meaning the sun has its orange glow on your phone screen, you are ready to take the photo by pressing the shutter button.
It’s also worth trying to zoom in further if your phone’s telephoto camera allows it. However, the more you zoom, the harder it is to keep your phone camera steady, so it’s worth using a tripod and phone stand to keep it firmly in place.
In addition to taking photos of the solar eclipse with your phone, you can use the solar eclipse lens to record a video of the event, along with a time-lapse to see it all on camera. You will need to secure the solar filter over the camera so that it is as flush as possible.
Instead of fixating on a small sun in the sky, your phone’s telephoto camera could produce even better results. I know that’s what I’ll be wearing for this upcoming solar eclipse event.
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