As excitement builds for the solar eclipse on April 8^th, I’ve compiled some tips for getting the best possible photos with a smartphone.

[UPDATE: Order Our 2024 Solar Eclipse Montage and Support 3 Cleveland Area Non-Profits!]

Safety First:

Never look directly at the sun with your naked eyes during the eclipse as it can cause permanent eye damage. Wear eclipse glasses with an ISO safety rating of 12312-2-2015. This rating should be found on the cardboard frame of the glasses.

Unfortunately, there are some unscrupulous companies that advertise an ISO rating of 12312-2-2015, even though they aren’t using the correct filters to protect your eyes. You should not search for eclipse glasses on the internet or Amazon and buy whatever pops up in the ads or search results. Order from one of the sources listed on this page provided by the American Astronomical Society: https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/viewers-filters

Choosing a Solar Filter for Your Smartphone:

If you’re planning to get closeup photos of the sun with your smartphone, you must protect your camera’s sensor with a solar filter. However, there is some confusion about the type of filter to use with smartphones.

My research found that you should only use a dedicated solar filter designed for smartphone photography. These filters fit securely to your phone’s camera lens and allow for safe solar imaging. I then searched for “smartphone solar filters” and found that many have an ISO rating of 12312-2-2015. That is the same ISO rating that solar eclipse glasses should have so will eclipse glasses work?…

Using Solar Eclipse Glasses on Your Smartphone:

From NASA’s website: “The best thing to do is to cover the camera lens with a solar filter during the moments before (and after) totality when the sunlight is still blinding. This will eliminate sun blooming and give you a clear image of the solar disk. You can use one of those ISO-Certified sun-viewing glasses that will be available for eclipse viewing to cover the smartphone lens.” Read more:
https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/static/img/smartphone-photography-eclipse/Photographing_the_Eclipse_with_your_Smartphone.pdf)

From Highpoint Scientific’s website: “… take photographs of the partial eclipse with your eclipse glasses. This is as simple as it sounds and could yield some great photographs of the eclipse…” Read more:
https://www.highpointscientific.com/astronomy-hub/post/solar-and-lunar-eclipses/ultimate-guide-to-photographing-the-2024-solar-eclipse

If you decide to use your solar eclipse glasses with an ISO rating of 12312-2-2015, be sure the filter covers ALL the lenses of your smartphone to protect your camera’s sensor. Here are photos of my solar eclipse glasses showing how I cut the frame and mounted it securely with rubber bands to my phone to completely cover the lenses.

I did some test photos with my old Galaxy S10 phone with this method and it worked perfectly. Although my camera’s sensor was unharmed, I cannot guarantee your sensor won’t be damaged so use caution!

Photographing Techniques:

• Switch Off Flash: Disable the flash on your smartphone because you just don’t need it to photograph the sun!
• Don’t Use Your Phone’s Digital Zoom: Digital zoom lenses reduce image quality because all they do is magnify the pixels of your image to make it appear larger.
• Do Use Your Phone’s Optical Zoom: Optical zooms magnify the actual image using the glass elements of the camera’s lens giving the best photo quality possible.
• Lock Focus: Manually focus your camera on the sun to ensure sharp images.
• Use Burst Mode: Capture a series of rapid shots to increase your chances of getting a clear image.
• Shoot RAW: If your smartphone supports it, shoot in RAW mode for better post-processing flexibility.
• Use a Tripod: For stable shots, use a tripod because your exposures will become longer as the light fades. If you're hand-holding your phone, you will experience camera movement resulting in less-than-sharp images. Here is the tripod with smartphone holder I bought for under $20: https://amzn.to/3J3bSgJ. If you already own a tripod for a film or digital camera, you can use this smartphone holder that easily mounts to your tripod: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08XMLK656 (NOTE: These are affiliate links so I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through them.)

When to REMOVE the Solar Filter from Your Camera Lens:

During a total solar eclipse, you can safely photograph the totality phase (when the Sun is completely covered by the Moon) without a solar filter. This phase lasts only about four minutes in Northeast Ohio. However, outside the path of totality, where only partial phases are visible, always have a solar filter over the camera’s lens.

Practice With Your Smartphone BEFORE the Big Day:

I’ve spent two afternoons experimenting in my back yard with three different DSLRs and a smartphone to determine which cameras and settings to use. I also have the luxury of a college buddy, Max Muir, who is driving in from Omaha, Nebraska joining me on April 8^th. He photographed the full solar eclipse out west in 2017 so it'll be good having someone with prior experience alongside me as an advisor.

Additional Resources:

• What to Expect: A Solar Eclipse Guide – includes how to pick the perfect viewing spot, preparation for travel, snacks and things you may not think of until you realize you need them.
• How to photograph a solar eclipse with a smartphone 2024 — 8 tips from an expert
• Five Tips from NASA for Photographing a Total Solar Eclipse

Conclusion:

Although I’ve covered some techniques on photographing the eclipse with a smartphone, I will be using two DSLR cameras to capture the event in photos and video because the image quality will be superior to that of a smartphone.

Finally, eye safety comes first. Use proper filters, follow guidelines, and enjoy capturing this rare celestial event!

If we’re lucky here in Northeast Ohio, the “Star” of the show will make a cloud-free appearance and we’ll all have amazing photos to remember the day!

The post Smartphone Photography Tips for the April 8th, 2024 Solar Eclipse appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

Vintage Olmsted Falls Wall Decor Available for Purchase!

It has been over 20 years since I took my first scenic photograph of historic Olmsted Falls and I still believe this quaint little town has the most picturesque spots packed into a small area than any other place I've visited.

Situated in Western Cuyahoga County, Olmsted Falls has a gorgeous wooden covered bridge, a couple of publicly accessible gazebos, a beautifully restored old train engine and caboose, a park with flowing waterfalls and a beautiful historic district with century homes that have been restored and are now inhabited by specialty shops with hand-crafted goods. In fact, some buildings in the Grand Pacific Junction shopping district date back to 1840! See my photographs of Olmsted Falls dating back to the early two-thousands at www.SpectraLight.com/OlmstedFalls

I’ve always wanted to create stunning images of landscapes and unusual architecture. Unfortunately, I never did well in art class as a kid. I understood good composition but just couldn’t draw a stick figure to save my life! I then fell in love with photography and was finally able to capture amazing scenes with a camera when the artist’s brush failed me. However, my images still looked like pictures since they were taken with a camera. The digital process I’m using now has elevated my photographs to look more like the paintings I wanted to create since I was a little boy.

Along with Olmsted Falls scenes, my artwork includes photographs from around the world including a fog-shrouded Golden Gate Bridge taken from Alcatraz, the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island (appearing as if it were taken in a by-gone era) and more. I also share NASA images of the planets and galaxies in our universe!

I offer my images as traditional and canvas prints with mats and frames, canvas wraps, acrylic and wood prints as well as aluminum panels which sets each photograph apart from all the other mediums. There’s nothing as striking as a photo that shines on an aluminum surface with a bright, clear, glossy base and brilliant color that pops!

I also offer my images as puzzles, on tote bags, smart phone cases, yoga mats, beach towels, t-shirts and so much more.

SPECIAL BONUS: If you mail or email me a copy of your receipt showing a total purchase of $60 or more of any of my artwork (not including sales tax and shipping) – I will send you a set of three uniquely shaped, limited edition collectors' cards as shown below – each one individually signed by me (or not signed by me if you prefer). Maybe they'll be worth something as a collector's item someday (but probably not ). Also, I would be happy to sign any photographs you purchase through my website if your bring them to my studio in North Ridgeville. Contact me here to arrange an appointment: www.SpectraLight.com/contact

My photographs are most sought after during the Christmas season so I created a special website where they may be viewed or purchased: www.SpectraLight.com/ArtSale.

For last-minute shoppers, I keep a limited inventory at my home/studio in North Ridgeville. To see them in-person, call 440-748-6300 (a landline – text messages won't come through) for more information or to schedule an appointment.

The post Timeless Olmsted Falls Scenes From 20+ Years Ago… Including a Covered Bridge, Gazebos, Waterfalls and Train! appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

Tomorrow marks the 20-year anniversary of the terror attacks on our country. Along with the thousands of innocent people who lost their lives that day – the world lost its innocence as well.

September 11, 2001 was a glorious fall day in Northeast Ohio. At about 9 a.m., my wife called in a panic telling me to turn on the TV to see coverage of a plane that had just crashed into the World Trade Center. As the minutes passed, we saw another jet hit the WTC on live TV. Soon after, there were reports that the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. had been hit by a jetliner and a plane had crashed in rural Shanksville, PA. It was clear these were not accidents.

I watched the coverage all day, wondering what was in store for the future. Could we expect major acts of terror every day? Fortunately, no… but our freedom has been changed forever.

Two months before the attacks, our family had planned our first visit ever to New York City during the week of Thanksgiving. After 9/11, we debated whether it was wise to go there with the possibility of more terrorism. We chose to go.

Our drive along I-80 through Pennsylvania to New York City revealed our country's amazing patriotism. We saw the American flag proudly displayed over several overpasses and affixed to the windows of countless cars.

Probably the most breathtaking moment as we approached the city from several miles out was our first glimpse of the Empire State Building. I imagined what that skyline would have looked like if the Twin Towers were still standing. It became difficult driving as my eyes welled up.

There were several other heartbreaking moments as we toured New York. At Grand Central Terminal there were large displays of photos of loved ones lost during the attacks. There was the gut-wrenching view of rubble five stories high where the Twin Towers had proudly stood… and still smoldering more than ten weeks after the buildings collapsed.

Fortunately, there was one majestic reminder of how great our country is. The Statue of Liberty standing proudly on Liberty Island was there to let the world know that our country will always fight for our freedom. It was a beautiful sight as we concluded our emotional journey.

Where were you and what were you doing on 9/11? What emotions did you feel when you saw the video of the jets hitting the Twin Towers? Please share them with a comment here.

If you would like to have a commemorative print of the Statue of Liberty as seen in this story, please click here.

The post 9/11 – Remembering that heartbreaking day… 20 years Later appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

360° Interactive PHOTO of Mars

You can interact with this photo by clicking anywhere on it and sliding your mouse (or finger if you're on a mobile device) in any direction!

This panorama of the Martian surface was taken with the Navigation Cameras, or Navcams, aboard NASA’s Rover – the Perseverance on Feb. 20, 2021. It was “stitched” together by NASA from several individual images after they were sent back to Earth.

I added the sky using a photo of Trumpler 14 – a glittering star cluster that contains a collection of some of the brightest stars seen in our Milky Way galaxy. It was captured by NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. See the original photo here.

Although NASA made the original Mars image available for all to see on their website – it is not viewable in the 360° interactive format I created here.

360° Interactive VIDEO of Mars

Below, is a video featuring the 360° view of the surface of Mars before I added the sky from Trumpler 14. You may also interact with the video in the same way as the photo, above. NOTE: If you're viewing the video with a smartphone – you'll need to watch it on the YouTube app to be able to move all around the image as it plays.

Enhancing the original NASA images

The software I utilized to enhance this photo is Topaz Labs Photo Ai – an easy-to-use photo editing software that instantly sharpens out-of-focus images, increases the file size of low-resolution photos, and dramatically reduces noise (grain) in as little as one-click! See my video review of Topaz Labs Photo Ai here: www.SpectraLight.com/PhotoAiDemo

If you purchase this software through my affiliate link (https://topazlabs.com/topaz-photo-ai/ref/118/) – I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you – allowing me to continue sharing content like this for your education and enjoyment. Thank you!

See 360° photos I created of Cleveland area tourist attractions here and 360° virtual tours promoting local businesses here.

Are you fascinated by space travel? Would you like to travel to Mars or live there some day? Please share your thoughts with a comment, here!

The post NASA Perseverance 360° Panorama of Mars Surface appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

Every now-and-then, a rare opportunity comes along that you just gotta grab. For me, it was a flight on an “experimental” airplane that my neighbor, Bob Kelly, built in his garage a couple years ago.

Amateur-built aircraft are licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as “Experimental.” Per FAA regulations, if an individual builds at least 51 percent of an aircraft, it is eligible to be registered in the amateur-built category.Bob's plane was a kit that he purchased with all the parts already fabricated. He replaced some parts with others that he felt were more superior to make his plane safer.

Recently Bob offered to take me on a flight on his plane. The adventurer in me said, “Hell, yeah!” while the saner side said, “Are you nuts?” The adventurer won out and the next day we were airborne.

Of course, I had to take some photos and video of this exciting adventure. I figured if we crashed, the digital files on my camera would probably survive – offering a glimpse of my last moments on earth before meeting my Maker.

The camera I chose was a 360° panoramic camera to capture a complete wrap-around view from inside the cockpit AND outside the plane. Click the photo, above, (or tap it if you're on a mobile device) and slide all around it to see the crazy views that a 360° panoramic camera offers.

Above is a 360-degree AERIAL VIDEO I also created during the flight. You can actually look all-around while the video plays by clicking or tapping it (on a mobile device) and moving your mouse or finger in any direction!

See the gear and software we use to create our 360° panoramic videos and photos here.

I've been using this camera for the past year-and-a-half to create 360° virtual tours for nursing homes, the Cleveland Pregnancy Center, Case Western Reserve University, hotels, commercial construction companies, government agencies and more. You can see some of those tours here. (A new browser window will open.)

Have you ever flown on an “experimental” airplane or tried skydiving? How was your experience? Click here to share your comments.

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: https://spectralight.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See more photos and videos highlighting what is great about CLEveland on our HOTonCLE website: http://HOTonCLE.com

Please subscribe to our HOTonCLE YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: http://HOTonCLE.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See the gear and software we use to create our videos and photos: https://spectralight.com/Gear

The post Unique 360° Aerial View of Cedar Point Amusement Park From Experimental Plane appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

This video highlights photos taken at Schoepfle Gardens – a park in Birmingham, Ohio in the Lorain County Metro Parks system.

Schoepfle Gardens is truly beautiful – 70 acres of botanical gardens and natural woodland bordered on one side by the Vermilion River. The gardens feature collections of rhododendrons, roses, cannas, hosta, shade plants, and a variety of shrubs, topiaries and trees.

My wife and I and a couple of friends enjoyed the natural beauty of the garden as we walked along the well-maintained walkways on a sunny spring morning in May. We're visiting different Lorain County Metro Parks as part of their “Hiking Stick” program.

You can earn a stick and a pin after completing 10 hikes at 6 different Lorain County Metro Parks locations by June 30th.

Have you visited Schoepfle Gardens or any other park in the Lorain County Metro Parks system? Which one did you like best and why? Please click here to share your thoughts.

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: www.SpectraLight.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See more photos and videos highlighting what is great about CLEveland and Northeast Ohio on our HOTonCLE website: www.HOTonCLE.com

Please subscribe to our HOTonCLE YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: www.HOTonCLE.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See the gear and software we use to create our videos and photos: www.SpectraLight.com/Gear

The post Schoepfle Gardens – Lorain County Metro Parks appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

Probably the most iconic building in Cleveland, Ohio is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

As a photographer, I just love the distinct design created by world renowned architect, I. M. Pei. Almost every view of the building offers a unique view of Lake Erie or the downtown skyline.

See more views of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and order art prints here.

Have you visited the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? What exhibit did you like best? Please share your experience in the comment section, below.

The post CLEveland ROCKS! And we have the building to prove it appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

“Cancel the trip – terrorists have attacked New York!” Those were the words I heard my wife utter over the telephone from work the morning of September 11, 2001.

There weren't any more attacks on the U.S. after that, so just 10 weeks later,  my wife, two young daughters and I spent Thanksgiving weekend in New York City. There was a somber mood cast over the city with the huge loss of life when the Twin Towers fell.

Through it all, the terrorists failed to take away our freedom. Seeing “Lady Liberty” keeping watch over New York Harbor gave us comfort and a sense of pride for our country. It is those feelings that inspired the creation of the above photo.

If you would like to have a commemorative print of the Statue of Liberty as seen in this story, please click here.

The software I utilized to enhance this photo is Topaz Labs Photo Ai – an easy-to-use photo editing software that instantly sharpens out-of-focus images, increases the file size of low-resolution photos, and dramatically reduces noise (grain) in as little as one-click! See my video review of Topaz Labs Photo Ai here: www.SpectraLight.com/PhotoAiDemo

I then adjusted the color and contrast with Topaz Studio 2 to create the first image at the top of this page.

NOTE: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, you'll help support this blog at no cost to you – allowing me to continue sharing information like this for your education and enjoyment. Thank you!

Where were you and what were you doing on 9/11? What emotions did you feel when you saw the video of the jets hitting the Twin Towers? Please share them with a comment here.

The post A commemorative photo of the Statue of Liberty remembering 9/11 appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

I'm really excited to be asked to show how to take better vacation photos at the May 20th meeting of the North Ridgeville Arts Council. I will be presenting “Discover 7 Secrets to Better Vacation Photography.” The information can be used to improve vacation photography, pictures of friends and family, sporting events and more.

Topics to be covered include: how to choose a camera, creative composition from unusual camera angles, use of natural light and electronic flash, how to help people look their best, enhancing photos after they're taken, saving and preserving picture files to guard against loss from a computer crash, different ways to display photographs for maximum enjoyment and more.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

The meeting is on Monday, May 20th at 7 p.m. at North Ridgeville Library,35700 Bainbridge Rd, North Ridgeville.

The post Discover 7 Secrets to Better Vacation Photography appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

You're a winner!”

Yes, those could be the words that a few lucky Cleveland area photographers hear after judging is completed for three amateur photo contests – one local, one national and one international.The local contest is the “Photo Safari at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo here you can try your hand at animal photography. All photos must be taken on zoo grounds between April 1 and October 31, 2013 and submitted to Cleveland Metroparks Zoo on photographic paper on or before October 31, 2013.

The Best of Show winner will get a Behind-the-Scenes Zoo tour, Adopt an Animal package courtesy of the Cleveland Zoological Society and a Polaroid PoGo Photo Printer. Other prizes include Zoo family memberships, 18-hole rounds of golf at any Cleveland Metroparks Golf Course, $25 Discount Drug Mart gift cards and much more. [Contest ended… entry webpage was deleted long ago]

Next up is the “Olive Garden Picture Perfect InstaGram Contest.” And no, you don't have to be an Olive Garden fan or even eat there to be eligible to participate. Of course, I LOVE their Eggplant Parmesan so I'll grab a bite there in your honor.

There are 42 prizes with the Grand Prize winner receiving a $500 prepaid credit card.

The contest is open to lawful permanent residents of the United States (including D.C.); between the ages of 13 and 18 years old as of April 1, 2013, and have an active InstaGram account. The contest ends on May 14, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. so you better hurry! [Contest ended… entry webpage was deleted long ago]

Finally, there's the “The Art of Photography Show 2013.” There are $10,000 in cash awards with the first place winner receiving $2,000 and fourteen others grabbing lesser cash prizes.

This contest is geared for aspiring photographers who are ready to invest $25 for their first entry and $10 for each additional entry. Entries must be received by May 18th at 11:59 pm PDT (California Time) so time is of the essence. [Contest ended… entry webpage was deleted long ago]

Have you ever wanted to create a book of your favorite images to share with family and friends? Or maybe you would like to offer your book for purchase to the general public for a little extra income.

I've create two books using a pretty cool company called Blurb. One is a pictorial celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge and the other is a collection of unique images of Picturesque Olmsted Falls, Ohio.

Now you can create a book for yourself or your mom for Mother's Day and save 20% off through May 10, 2013. Simply enter coupon code LOVEYOUMOM at checkout to claim your discount.

So what's been your experience with photo contests? Please comment here and share some contests you've entered and what you thought of the judging.

Do you like this article? Please share it with your family and friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc. or via e-mail.

Please subscribe to our YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: https://spectralight.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See more photos and videos highlighting what is great about CLEveland and Northeast Ohio on our HOTonCLE website: http://HOTonCLE.com

Please subscribe to our HOTonCLE YouTube channel and then click the bell icon to get instant notifications when we upload a new video: http://HOTonCLE.com/YouTubeSubscribe

See the gear and software we use to create our videos and photos: https://spectralight.com/Gear

The post Northeast Ohio amateur photographers could win big bucks appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.