How I Photographed A Total Solar Eclipse
And how it led to my most open-ended image to date
For those of you following my adventures on Instagram, you’ll know that I’m currently sailing around Greenland. My friends at Quark Expeditions brought me out here to write a story about the total solar eclipse that passed through the eastern region. That story is officially submitted, and it’s something I look forward to sharing with you when it goes live.
Today, I’m going to share a tiny slice of that larger story.
Upcoming Events & Workshops
Three days left to order TWO WOLVES, the first print in my fine art collection. It’s an edition of 15 and you can find all the details here.
Leica.Connect: NYC Photowalk (SEP 5TH)
Join me in NYC for a free photography event. I’ll be sharing new stories from my recent adventures around the world and host a photowalk right after. Spots are limited so be sure to register early.
India: North & South Street Photography Workshop (FEB 2027)
If you’re looking for an authentic and unforgettable street photography adventure across India, this workshop is for you. One seat is open for my workshop from February 5th-15th next year. Email me to reserve your spot.
Video for Photographers Masterclass (LONDON)
Our last Video for Photographers experience was a hit. If you’re a photographer looking to expand your skillset with video, this is the best workshop you can invest in. Email me to reserve your spot for early 2027.
This year, over twenty photographers gathered in Svalbard for a group photography adventure unlike anything else. Next year, I’m looking to invite a group to the 7th continent. Spots are limited, details can be found here.
The Image
The Details
This image was captured on my Leica SaaL3 with a super-telephoto lens at 600mm, which still required another 50% of cropping. The ISO was locked to 100, the aperture at F6.3, and a shutter speed of 1/320.
The Process
Here’s the thing: there are a few things that have to be considered before pointing your camera at the sun and hitting the shutter. We’d be tracking this event on a ship, so stability was a priority. I had packed a robust video tripod that would keep my camera in position but also provide a smooth way to reposition the lens.
During totality, the moment when the moon fully blocks out the sun, you can point your camera and shoot to your heart’s content. But the stages before and after can be dangerous to your camera (and your eyes) without the right filters. For the partial eclipse stages, I had a universal solar eclipse filter that folds up and sits on the front of the lens. Similar to solar eclipse glasses, these are designed to cut around 20 stops of light and allow you to safely point your camera at the sun.
To recap, when the eclipse process begins, the filter stays on the lens. About an hour later, totality occurs and the filter comes off (along with updating the camera settings). As soon as the sun begins to reveal itself again, the filter goes back on.
For those of you who have photographed an eclipse before, this information is well-known. Many of you have seen eclipse images before, so the photo I’ve shared today isn’t novel at all. What I really want to share with you today is something a little more introspective.
Room For Interpretation
The cover image shared for this story isn’t the one I originally wanted to discuss. The image that was supposed to be the topic of discussion is the one below.
This image, the one being displayed by my phone, is a composition of seven unique stages from the solar eclipse process. Putting the final arrangement together was almost as laborious as documenting the event itself.
As I was putting the image together, I realized that the positioning of the overall image had this healthy amount of room for subjectivity and as a result, dialogue. You see, what’s unique about this photo with respect to my work is that the final orientation is undisclosed.
I can hear some of you asking, “wtf does that mean?”
Simple: you decide which way is the ‘right’ way to orient this picture.
A total solar eclipse is unlike anything you’ll ever experience, and your first one will elicit all sorts of emotions. The entire event is paradoxical in nature, where the air is filled with a sharp chill and the world looks like it’s coming to an end. But we know we’ll be okay. It all makes for this collision of emotions that brings about different reactions. And so, this image is more of a question.
There’s no correct orientation. If you happen to see it in person, rotate it around to see what works for you. This is an opportunity for us to connect on what you may feel is the most honest expression.
Sometimes, photography shouldn’t have all the answers.
NEW August Contest
This month, I’ll be giving away a $200 gift card to the Moment Shop where the winner can save big on their next camera, lens, bag, or courses. Moment has so many creative products to choose from and $200 can absolutely make for a great deal.
How will I pick the winner? Make sure you’re signed up for this newsletter then leave a comment on at least one post from this month. I’ll be randomly picking one person, confirming they meet the requirements and contacting them directly before announcing the winner publicly.
As always, this contest is void where prohibited by law. Good luck!
My thanks to the team at Moment! Not only for this contest but for being the longest supporter of my work online. They’re a lean team of passionate creators that truly believe in supporting other creatives on their journey. Whether it’s a new camera, lens, workshop, or just some great articles, visit ShopMoment.com today.
What’s Next?
I’m quite proud of the story we’ve put together on the entire experience I’ve had out here in East Greenland. When that story goes live, I’ll be sure to share it on my socials along with updating the links here.
With this adventure done, it’s on to the next. Over the next two weeks, I’ll be travelling across the Canadian Northwest Passage in search of new stories. Stay tuned.
GB