Bare Eclipse

Image Critiques Nightscape & Astro Critiques
1

_DSC2905_Eclpise2.jpg
_DSC2905_Eclpise2.jpg1500×999 546 KB

_DSC2904_Eclipse1.jpg
_DSC2904_Eclipse1.jpg1500×999 635 KB

Critique Style Requested: Standard

The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

Description

This morning I went out to photograph the eclipse. I had originally planned on getting into the totality zone, but the nearest location was several hours away and the Astropheric app indicated that it would be overcast there so I decided not to make the trip, but stay local. It was overcast locally as well at the start of the eclipse. Then just before maximum eclipse, I had about 10 minutes of cloud parting, just enough to see the eclipsed sun but still filtered by the clouds that I could look at and photograph without a solar filter on the lens. This allowed the true colors to be captured rather than the typical orange tint the solar filters impart. The most fascinating thing I found was the blue color that haloed the sun while further away the clouds reflected a warmer tone. Even stranger is that during this time I could physically see purple tint around the sun with my eyes.

Specific Feedback

Aside from just sharing what I captured, my request is to find out which of the two photos is more appealing compositionally.

Technical Details

Nikon D850, Nikon 400mm f/5.6 MF lens, both photographed at f5.6 1/1000 sec at ISO 100. Processed in ACR and PSCC.

2 Likes
2

Great images, both of them. Perhaps I’m showing my age but I immediately get the feeling that one should watch out for werewolves standing in this image. Suspense, intrigue, foreboding. Really brings out some strong feelings. Well done.

3

Wonderful images with amazing color! I love the hint of the clouds/fog over the sun in the second one. And the tree (a redwood?) gives it some earthly grounding. I didn’t see any hint of the colors as you got here, but I have seen blue around the moon when I have shot a full moon through fog or thin clouds. I’d love to know what is causing it.

There is definitely a mood and story here that would not exist in a perfectly clear sky. Well done!

4

Those colors are quite striking. Where I was (east of Fremont, California), I had a more muted version of the color display. Initially I was pulled a bit more to the top image that has roughly triangular sections with the yellows and blues and the dark corners. But now I’m appreciating the bottom image with the upper/lower separation of the colors and dark sections. Very nice!