Eclipse Compilation

 

I bought my £25 solar filter and special glasses, packed my camera gear, got up at 5 am and drove to Swindon, where I figured I would avoid the cloudy weather which was forecast in the west without going all the way to Cornwall. I arrived at 9 am, posted myself on top of a hill in a field full of sheep, and waited, camera on tripod, filter on camera, exposure set.

The weather was quite fine, but as the eclipse was due to start, along came the clouds. I realised quite quickly that I could not compose anything through the viewfinder with the filter on, and I certainly would not get a picture out of it, so I dumped the filter, composed as best I could while the sun was behind a cloud, then as soon as the sun came out a bit more, fired the shutter using the remote without looking through the view finder. I had to work quickly to beat the clouds, but I didn't care, I was as happy as a pig in you know what!

During the maximum coverage period, I soaked up the atmosphere and shed a tear or two for the privilege of having been able to record the event. Despite the worsening weather, I felt I had pretty well enough pictures to show the whole progression, except for a period of about 20 minutes after first contact, and at the very end, when the sun disappeared, never to return.

I packed up ready to drive back feeling exhilarated and at the same time exhausted by my day. My eyes were certainly very tired for several days afterwards, but I was careful not to look through the camera or directly at the sun unless it was well cloud covered, and I haven't suffered any permanent ill effects.

I then scanned all the pictures and compiled a digital picture of the progression of the eclipse, click on the thumbnail to view.