Total Solar Eclipse shot in Salem, Oregon August 21st, 2017.
The big moment... totality!
One of the most surreal experiences I've ever had. The photos just can not do justice (not even close in any way imaginable.) The human eye is way more powerful than even today's most sophisticated cameras. I can not begin to explain the incredible site revealed at totality but can say if you ever have the chance to witness it in person you won't believe the beauty of nature in God's creation so rarely revealed. Even if you have to drive for 12 hours in one day like I did, trust me the two minutes you will experience during totality are way more than worth the effort.
The day began at 2 AM as I grabbed my camera gear and munchies for the road. I almost didn't bring the camera since this is the first time I would be witnessing the total eclipse and had read from many sources that you just can't get a shot that does it justice. So my main agenda was to just sit back and enjoy.
The drive started off well enough. But by the time I hit Lake Oswego, just South of Portland, I hit major traffic. I was ready for that and filled up the tank just before crossing the Oregon boarder. All in all I still made good time getting to Salem and had plenty of time to spare. I found a nice quiet high school soccer field that was free of the masses searching for moon and sun. But while waiting for totality I decided to set the camera up, take some shots of the partial, and reset the gear to be ready to shoot the total eclipse if I found the inspiration.
What you see are shots of the partial and the total eclipse. I shot the partial in between putting on the special glasses and checking the progress of eclipse coverage. I took the solar filter off my camera just as totality approached just in case I could spare a few seconds away from viewing totality. With glasses on I watched as the last light of the suns disk was covered. Air grew colder as totality approached. The light continued to dim. Then all at once the main event began. As I watched the last of the sun's light disappear I could hear distant cheers, clapping, and the oohs and aahs of the distant crowd. I took off my glasses and there it was - the most amazing site. The black of the disk against the sun was interesting... but the flares of light streaking from the sun, now revealed, were amazing and beyond belief. There was a 360 degree sunset and the stars came out. But my eye keep getting drawn back to the most incredible site that the camera just could not reveal, the sun fully eclipsed. If you ever get the chance to see one don't bother with the camera - just enjoy every second of one of the most incredible experiences you will ever have!
I hope you like the two eclipse shots I posted and that someday you have the opportunity to see a total eclipse if you missed the 2017 eclipse. I know I'm now a fan and will definitely participate in the next one, and others, if at all possible.