since tonight has seen another total lunar eclipse for our corner of the world to watch (between cloud banks) i thought i’d share a couple of similar sequences i took a few years back.

first, the total lunar eclipse of 28 aug 2007. this sequence begins (bottom right) at 8:30pm NZ standard time and ends at 10:30pm. equipment used: DSLR camera, remote shutter release, tripod, 500mm lens. of course a lot less light was coming from the moon near totality, so i had to adjust my exposure to capture the red disc – hence the white rim in later shots.

second, the partial solar eclipse of 7 february 2008. this sequence begins (top right) at 4:48pm NZ daylight saving time and ends at 5:52pm. equipment used: DSLR camera, 24-105mm lens at 105mm, homemade ND filter (crossed polars) with almost total blackout ability. no tripod needed. i really like in this sequence how you can see (except in the first overexposed image) the edge of the sun disc has a cooler red tinge, and the middle (including where the moon chops in) is yellow. the blue sky was added in post, but the colour of the sun has not been enhanced. (of course you must be very conscious of observing all eye-safety precautions when photographing the sun especially during an eclipse!)