eclipse

Chaser

Yep, that’s me. I’m one of those people now. Some had already pegged me as one, but I refused to accept it. I just might have developed a problem.

There’s no real way to describe the feeling. It really is euphoric for whatever reason. I can’t explain it, but I’ve now experienced it twice and I want more.

Yeah, I have it bad.

No, I don’t need an intervention, but I HAVE already started planning for the next big one. I’m not really a “world traveler,” but I might just have to be.

After the 2017 event, I wrote my future self some notes. Here we go again:

  • You’ve done this before (twice) take some time and enjoy it, too.
  • Plan, plan, plan.
  • Try getting creative this time:
  • Bracket the corona
  • Higher f-stop – lower shutter (get those bursts)
  • 360 sunset
  • Use that Lens Ball. You brought it, right?
  • Wide-angle static ambient sequence (use the second solar filter for this)
  • Eat something to Pete’s sake!
  • Also, don’t forget, your good friend may have given you a t-shirt (or a hat, or a jacket or something) years and years prior to the event that you packed, but forgot about. Find it and wear it!

Giddy

I’m “over-the-moon” happy about today (wink, wink. nudge, nudge) | See them all here.

That’s the only way I can describe how I’m feeling right now. I had all but given up on seeing anything at all. I was beaten. Dejected. I planned for years. I saved – for years. I went over it and over it in my brain. But the weather wasn’t looking promising at all.

Cut to this morning. I woke up determined. I wasn’t about to let this go. I can’t have come all this way and not control what I can control. What’s the last part of the saying again? Ah yes, there is no TRY.

I’m doing this.

I did this.

So much more to come, but here’s a start.

Redemption

A bit of practice ahead of the big day!

I had to go back and read my post from 2017. Like I said back then, the beauty of an online “journal.” Glad I sent my future self notes. I made it. I am now my future self (at least from the perspective of that post).

Heading to Texas next week for a second shot at it. I’ve never posted my photos from that day. Not good. I definitely experienced the phenomenon of the total solar eclipse and get to do it all again in just over a week.

So much has changed since then and I’m going into this one prepared. Gonna make my past self proud.

Twice in a lifetime – here I come!

Notes to Self

So along with about 5 million other people (give or take), I traveled to the path of totality.  How could I miss something like that?  Many thanks to my friend Brian Clark for motivating me to travel with him and his kids to experience it.  I may not have come away with the best images, but I experienced it.  It was all worth it.  The distance traveled, the traffic, the waiting.  Icing on the cake?  There’s another one in 2024.  I’ll see you there!

In the meantime, here are some notes to my future self so I don’t forget (the beauty of an online journal, right?):

  • Use the same camera to shoot both partial and total (the other camera is a backup)
  • Avoid extenders if at all possible.
  • Get a solar filter for the longest focal length.
  • Practice.  Actually practice.  It may seem silly, but now you know.
  • Take time away from the viewfinder and experience it.
  • A sturdy/hefty tripod ballhead is your best friend.
  • All camera bodies you use need a fully articulating LCD viewfinder.
  • Go ahead and rent that camera body you really wanted to rent this time around – it’ll be worth it.

Mid-day Sunset

The sunset horizon due North during totality.  One of several very specific images from my gallery – those who were there may appreciate them more than others. | More images here.