As I sit here in anticipation of the upcoming 2024 eclipse, my mind drifts back to the unforgettable experience of witnessing the 2017 Great American Eclipse. It was a trip filled with excitement, anticipation, and a touch of nervousness, but it ultimately unfolded into an awe-inspiring spectacle that left an indelible mark on my memory.
Accompanied by a dear friend and armed with nothing more than my trusty Olympus OM-D EM10, kit telephoto zoom, and stacked ND filters, we embarked on a journey to Crossville, TN. Our destination was carefully chosen, with hopes of clear skies and unobstructed views of this rare celestial event. However, we didn’t plan hotels very well, luckily we were able to find Davy Crockett Campground which happened to be right under the path of totality.
We had clear skies all day leading up to the first stages of the eclipse. But then sure enough some clouds rolled in and dotted the sky, a stroke of luck blessed us as the heavens parted just moments before totality. With bated breath, we watched in wonder as the moon slipped seamlessly in front of the sun, casting a surreal twilight upon the landscape. The 360 degree sunset was spectacular, along with the sudden cool and still air.
Capturing the moment with my modest setup proved to be a challenge, but the results were beyond satisfying. The stacked ND filters allowed me to capture the moments preceding and after the eclipse with surprising clarity even after cropping way into these tiny 16MP photos. I was able to even discern intricate details of the sun's corona against the darkened sky.
Fast forward to 2024, and I find myself preparing for another rendezvous with this celestial dance. This time however, I come armed with a brand new Sony A7IV paired with a Sony 200-600mm lens and a 2x teleconverter. The prospect of experiencing the eclipse in higher resolution fills me with anticipation and excitement.
But I am not content with merely capturing digital images. I have jumped down the rabbit hole of analog photography. I've dusted off my old Minolta and equipped it with a 500mm f8 mirror lens and teleconverter. Armed with some lovely Portra 160 film, I intend to capture the eclipse through a different lens, embracing the charm and unpredictability of analog photography.
As I look forward to this upcoming eclipse, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to witness such a rare and breathtaking phenomenon and have so many friends at my side along the way. Whether through the lens of my digital camera or the fine grained film produced by my Minolta, I know that this experience will be etched into my memory for years to come, a testament to the timeless allure of the cosmos.
