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.

Don't let your precious memories fade away! With every passing day, your old photographs continue to deteriorate due to exposure from sunlight, humidity in damp basements, storage in hot attics and pollutants in the air.

You can now repair your faded and damaged photos yourself with “PhotoGlory” – an affordable and easy-to-use photo retouching software! With it you can:

• Colorize B&W photos with 1-click
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• Fix major defects & recreate missing parts
• Lifetime license
• FREE technical support and updates

Save over 30% on your purchase of PhotoGlory through this special link: www.photoglory.net/order-special-spectralight.php
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Now is the time to restore and share your priceless treasures with your children and grandchildren… and relive the sentimental memories that go with your photos.

If your photo is extremely faded or damaged to the point that PhotoGlory can’t provide a satisfactory result – it may still be recoverable! The photo restoration specialists at SpectraLight Photography combine today's digital technology with old-fashioned artistry to repair worn, stained, spotted, torn, cracked, bleached and faded photographs to their original luster.

See more samples of photos that SpectraLight Photography has completely restored AND get a FREE guide with tips for saving water or flood-damaged photos at www.SpectraLight.com/PhotoRestoration.

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

NOTE: If you purchase anything through the links on this page – I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support allows me to research products and services to improve your life and mine… and I thank you!

For a no-cost, no-obligation appointment to examine your faded or damaged photographs and receive a free quote – contact us TODAY through this link or call 440.748.6300 (NOTE: This is a landline so text messages won't come through.)

The post Easy-to-Use and Affordable Photo Restoration Software – PhotoGlory appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

For years I've been bored with photographing fireworks. Fighting the crowds to get a good spot, dealing with hot and humid July weather, bugs, crying children… the list goes on. I'd rather stay home and chill-out with the Mrs. – UNTIL NOW!

A few years ago, I read an article by a photographer who captured some amazing fireworks photos. He gave the technical settings that he used for beautiful shots over a scenic lake. He inspired me to see if I could create images unlike any I've made before.

So I set out for the annual fireworks display in my town – North Ridgeville, Ohio. The weather was cool and comfortable for a July evening. I was able to stake out a spot by the lake where the fireworks would be launched. The bugs weren't annoying either (I think they preferred the taste of those around me.) And the crying children? It's amazing what ear plugs can mask out!

For 20+ minutes I shot photos with my Nikon camera mounted on a tripod with exposures ranging from one to four seconds at f/11 at ISO 100. If you don't have a clue about those settings – have no fear! It seems that anyone can get decent photos with just about any camera – even with smart phones. Even if you have firework photos from previous years that you wish to add some excitement to – read on!

Upon returning home, I loaded the photos onto my computer. Sadly, I was UNDERwhelmed by what I had captured. They looked similar to the old, boring fireworks photos I'd taken in the past.

Instead of using an expensive software program called Adobe Photoshop; I opened the photo, above, in an affordable program called “Studio“ by Topaz Labs. I've used this software to spice up photos from my previous travels with amazing results. The three variations of the original photo in this article were created with just a couple mouse clicks using Studio!

Pro tip: To achieve similar results in Topaz Studio, choose “Add Filter” > click the “STYLISTIC” tab > choose “Flare”. Then you can experiment with the various adjustments to make each star unique.

Topaz Labs is a company that has created several easy-to-use photo enhancement programs that can be used without even reading the instructions. It has a simple user interface that will have you creating photo masterpieces in minutes.

I found myself immersed in the software for hours as I created countless variations of each image.

See the rest of Topaz Labs photo enhancing software here: www.SpectraLight.com/TopazSoftware (NOTE: You won't see Topaz Studio on this page.)

Have fun!

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 us to continue sharing information like this for your education and enjoyment. Win/Win! Thanks!

The post Fireworks photos with a unique twist… these aren’t your mamma’s snapshots! appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

This video shows before-and-after photos that were blurry and then fixed with Topaz Sharpen Ai. It does not show how to fix them with the software but only the final results. If you wish to see how Sharpen Ai works since the creation of this post and video – check out my latest review of Topaz Photo Ai here: www.SpectraLight.com/PhotoAiDemo

Create tack-sharp images with no artifacts or halos. Sharpen Ai is the only Ai-powered image sharpening software currently available, and it can create some truly magical results. Fix blurry images in just a few clicks and rescue previously impossible-to-correct shots.

There’s nothing worse than the feeling of taking the perfect photo, rushing home, opening it up on your computer… and realizing that it’s blurry. When this happens, it’s usually caused by one of three problems: camera shake, focus issues, or general softness. Sharpen Ai can handle each one!

Stabilize: Natural shake reduction…

Even the steadiest hands don’t compare to a tripod when it comes to image sharpness. Unlike a tripod, though, you always have your hands with you! Sharpen Ai’s Stabilize module has been trained to reverse motion blur and make handheld images look like they were taken from a tripod.

Focus: Better focus correction…

Focus correction is a notoriously difficult problem that’s easy to get wrong, but Sharpen Ai’s Focus module excels at correct up to ten pixels of focus blur. This is perfect for sharpening out-of-focus eyes or correct issues caused by incorrect in-camera focus. Tip: use selective adjustments for best results!

Sharpen: General input sharpening…

Even with no motion blur or focus issues, images generally come out of the camera soft. Sharpen Ai includes the Sharpen module that specializes in correcting small amounts of general softness without any artifacts or halos. It’s the most natural-looking sharpening tool that you will ever use.

Learn more about here: Topaz Labs “Sharpen Ai” software  (SAVE $40 until June 16, 2023 !!!)

See the rest of Topaz Labs photo enhancing software here: https://spectralight.com/TopazSoftware

If you purchase the software through the above links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This allows us to continue creating and sharing content like this for your education and enjoyment. Thank you!

Do you have blurry photos that you wish you had saved had you known about Topaz Sharpen Ai? Please share your comments here.

See more product reviews at www.SuperProductReview.info

The post How to Fix Out-of-Focus Pictures and Blurry Photos with Topaz Sharpen Ai – Easier Than Photoshop appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

Total Solar Eclipse 2017: A Guide to Viewing and Photographing it — Hudson Henry Photography

Here's a great video with tips and tricks to view the August 21st, 2017 total solar eclipse. The sun will cross the U.S. from Oregon to South Carolina. This rare event is a great opportunity for photographers – both amateur and professional.

The last time a total solar eclipse was visible in the U.S. was in 1979 in the Pacific Northwest. Here is ABC News coverage from that day with an amazing view from Helena, Montana.

In the video at the top of this post, Hudson Henry explains why the August 21st, 2017 total solar eclipse is special, shares some online maps and electronic scouting tools to help you plan where and how to photograph it, covers what gear you will need to get the best eclipse photos possible and reviews camera settings and technical strategies to capture those images.

When the eclipse reaches totality, you can view it with your naked eyes and stars will be visible. However, during the partial phase leading up to and following totality, you need to protect your eyes and your camera’s sensor. Be sure to view the eclipse using “Live View” on your camera instead of looking directly through the lens using your viewfinder.

WARNING! There is a high risk of PERMANENT EYE DAMAGE when watching the solar eclipse. Learn more at 10:44 of this video: CBC Special: Solar Eclipse Over Winnipeg.

Have fun in your quest to capture some images of a lifetime!

Here are some links to the tools and products recommended in Hudson Henry's video.

The post How to Photograph the Total Solar Eclipse on 8/21/17 appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

However, a cool and affordable software program I discovered has changed all that! It can take ANY drab photo and make it a work of art.

What is so amazing about the software is that once you load a photo into the program – you can make dramatic changes to it with a couple simple clicks! Yeah, I was skeptical about that until I tried it. Two of the three photos in this story were instantly created with this software. The original, black-and-white photo was taken in Wakeman, Ohio in Lorain County.

Happy creating!

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. Win/Win! Thanks!

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

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

The post Amazing software makes Winter in Northeast Ohio come to LIFE appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

It's been a long time since I've attended the Cleveland National Air Show – going back to the days of shooting film. With my digital photo and video cameras in hand – I just couldn't resist the opportunity to go this year!

I kept my photo count down to around 350 shots – unlike the guy next to me who was there all three days – shooting several thousand pics with a variety of extreme telephoto and zoom lenses. And he said he was just shooting for himself!

I captured some nice shots of a few of the stunt aircraft but the high flying Thunderbirds were my main focus as seen here.

Now the real work begins. Editing the video and photos will take some time. I'm just glad I kept the number of photos I took to a “reasonable” number!

Did you attend the air show? What part of the show did you like best? Please comment, share and like this post!

The post Great Photo Opportunities at the 2015 Cleveland National Air Show appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

Over the years, I've found some of the best portraits require climbing a ladder or laying on the floor or ground.

Olmsted Falls High School class of 2015 student, Tori Pishkula, her mom, Colleen, and I set out for a “photo safari” in The Flats near downtown Cleveland this summer to create something a little different for Tori's senior portraits.

When we came across this lift bridge, I fell in love with it's massive structure and metal girders criss-crossing at 90 degree angles. When I viewed Tori and the bridge at Tori's level, the size and “power” of the bridge just wasn't obvious. Laying on the ground and shooting up at Tori with the bridge rising up behind her solved the problem.

Notice that I positioned Tori slightly left of the center of the photo so as not to block the view of the entrance to the bridge. I also posed her close to the camera so she stands out beautifully against the background. Most amateur photographers would typically place the person at the entrance of the bridge where they become lost in the photo.

Do you have any photo-related questions that you would like to have answered? It can be about composition, exposure, Photoshop techniques, cameras… the sky's the limit! I will answer them here and sometimes create a video to give a better visual explanation.

Just post your questions in “Comments” under the title of this post.

The post Low camera angles can add visual interest to portraits appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

Shooting pictures under low light has always been a choice between getting a photo that looks too dark (underexposed) or using a fast camera ISO so the photo exposure looks just right. The only problem with either choice is the photo looks “grainy” compared to one taken with adequate light.

Fortunately, there is a company that has created a solution to those grainy images. Topaz Labs offers a software called Topaz Photo Ai that will allow you to:

•  Raise your ISO without any fear

  Recover up to the equivalent of 4 stops of light. Photo Ai can make ISO 1600 look like ISO 100. Use that extra light to get shots you otherwise couldn't.

•  Recover image detail hidden in noise

  Unlike other tools, Photo Ai uses information from the whole image to remove noise and recover detail. This is far more effective than other methods.

•  Shoot faster and clearer in less light

  It's like buying a new lens or camera. You can now freeze action better (with a faster shutter speed) or get a wider depth of field (with a narrower aperture).

•  Gain peace of mind about image quality

  Make sure your image quality is as good as it can possibly be in all areas. Handle edge cases like debanding, shadow tone restoration, and color casts.

•  Use it wherever you edit photos

  Topaz Photo Ai works as a stand-alone software or as a plugin for Photoshop, Lightroom, and many more existing photo editing products.

•  Get answers to questions at any time

  We're as dedicated to you as you are to your photography. Get dedicated support and free product upgrades for life.

For even more creative possibilities, check out Topaz “Studio 2” software which includes Star Effects (now called “Flare” in the Stylistic Filters menu): www.SpectraLight.com/TopazStudio.

Do you have photos that look grainy from underexposure or from using a high ISO when you took the picture? Please comment on your experience with Topaz Labs DeNoise AI.

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 us to continue sharing information like this for your education and enjoyment. Win/Win! Thanks!

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

The post Fix grainy photos with amazingly affordable software appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.

Halloween is just around the corner and fans of the season are already shopping for unique costumes in stores and online. So why should humans have all the Halloween fun? Statistics from an October 2012 report by The National Retail Federation reveal an astounding 2.2 billion dollars was spent on costumes with 11.5% of trick-or-treaters dressing their pets.

Every year, people dress their pets in the craziest Halloween costumes! Dog and cat costumes let your pets tag along to dog-friendly Halloween parties, carnival events, and fairs where costumes, characters, and make believe are the prevailing theme.

There are plenty of super hero costumes for pets including Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. Let your cat be a show-stopper by dressing her in an Underdog costume. Have a Dachshund? Dress him in a cute “wiener dog” hotdog bun costume with your choice of catsup or mustard across your four-legged friend’s back.

What dog doesn’t want to channel his “inner-dinosaur” by becoming a raptor or triceratops? You gotta love the kitty dressed as a lion… roarrrrrrrrrrrrr! Have you seen the cat with a cloth saddle on her back being ridden by a mouse? Or the feline dressed like a pharaoh? Too funny.

For “crafty” people who like creating their own designs, there are sources on the Internet with loads of ideas. With a few materials and some imagination, you can make a “howling” good costume for your four-legged friend. Just keep safety first and make sure your pet isn't constrained in a way that prevents him from hearing, seeing or breathing.

Do you plan on dressing your pet for Halloween this year? What will they be wearing? Please share this article with your friends!

Check out some of the cute costumes this year's best dressed pets will be wearing in the related video! Shop for pet costumes at http://superproductreview.info/PetCostumes.

The post Cute pet Halloween costumes make the best dog and cat photos appeared first on SpectraLight Photography and Design.