LIVE AMA with Autumn Schrock + Nate Luebbe

[NateintheWild]

Quote

Question from socials: What's your go-to camera for shooting eclipses?

16-35mm if you want some landscape in the shot, or the 200-600 if you want to get right up on that sucker

[tylerlahanas]

What are both of your top 3 bucket list photography destinations you have yet to visit?

[NateintheWild]

if you could go to the moon (on someone else's dime) and photograph, I guess it would have to be a lunar eclipse (earth blocking sun) would you? *sorry, now I'm really reaching

NOW we're talking!! But yeah i guess if you were on the moon it would still be a solar eclipse but with the earth doing the blocking.

[NateintheWild]

if you could go to the moon (on someone else's dime) and photograph, I guess it would have to be a lunar eclipse (earth blocking sun) would you? *sorry, now I'm really reaching

It is a pretty fortunate coincidence that from our perspective here on Earth that the lunar disc and solar disc are approximately the same size, so much so that we get to see solar eclipses. That's a very lucky coincidence that does NOT happen on every planet.

[autpops]

Hey! I might have missed this question, but what gear is needed for solar eclipse photography? Mainly gear you wouldn't think to bring?

... with an EQ tracker. Gear you wouldn't think to bring though, I almost forgot the solar filters for my lenses at the 2017 eclipse! I think people assume that because you can safely look through your viewfinder at the sun on a mirrorless camera (do NOT do this with a DSLR) that you don't need a solar...

[autpops]

Hey! I might have missed this question, but what gear is needed for solar eclipse photography? Mainly gear you wouldn't think to bring?

...filter, but the sun can very literally melt your lens!

[Laura Bradford]

if you could go to the moon (on someone else's dime) and photograph, I guess it would have to be a lunar eclipse (earth blocking sun) would you? *sorry, now I'm really reaching

Sure, "coincidence".... (alien moon base)

[NateintheWild]

if you could go to the moon (on someone else's dime) and photograph, I guess it would have to be a lunar eclipse (earth blocking sun) would you? *sorry, now I'm really reaching

Earth is just shy of 4x the diameter of the moon, so there's a chance an eclipse viewed from the moon would just be pure blackness.

[NateintheWild]

What are both of your top 3 bucket list photography destinations you have yet to visit?

Greenland, Pakistan, Namibia

[AndrewNeary]

I've seen some folks suggest shooting people's reactions to the eclipse rather than shooting the eclipse itself if you don't have a solar filter. How do you feel about unique/alternate approaches to eclipse photography?

[autpops]

if you could go to the moon (on someone else's dime) and photograph, I guess it would have to be a lunar eclipse (earth blocking sun) would you? *sorry, now I'm really reaching

I WILL WALK ON THE MOON ONE DAY

[NateintheWild]

if you could go to the moon (on someone else's dime) and photograph, I guess it would have to be a lunar eclipse (earth blocking sun) would you? *sorry, now I'm really reaching

Oh I just realized also I never answered the question. Yes I would go to the moon in a heartbeat, this afternoon, without even saying goodbye to anyone, if the opportunity arose.

[NateintheWild]

if you could go to the moon (on someone else's dime) and photograph, I guess it would have to be a lunar eclipse (earth blocking sun) would you? *sorry, now I'm really reaching

Return trip preferred but not mandatory

[autpops]

What are both of your top 3 bucket list photography destinations you have yet to visit?

#1 From the moon, #2 ORCAS, so I guess a cold ocean somewhere?, #3 Japan

[NateintheWild]

I've seen some folks suggest shooting people's reactions to the eclipse rather than shooting the eclipse itself if you don't have a solar filter. How do you feel about unique/alternate approaches to eclipse photography?

I'm not sure how to say this without sounding like a weirdo, but I am in general....not interested in photographing people. BUT, if you like people photography then that's a fun option! You don't need a solar filter during totality though, for what it's worth.

[AndrewNeary]

I've seen some folks suggest shooting people's reactions to the eclipse rather than shooting the eclipse itself if you don't have a solar filter. How do you feel about unique/alternate approaches to eclipse photography?

That's totally fair. Thanks so much!

[etgar]

What are some common mistakes beginners make in astrophotography, and how can they be avoided?

[NateintheWild]

What are both of your top 3 bucket list photography destinations you have yet to visit?

Japanese Moon Orcas, got it

[steveagee]

What are both of your top 3 bucket list photography destinations you have yet to visit?

PLEASE do a Greenland workshop

[autpops]

What's the biggest challenge you face when shooting an eclipse?

I think the biggest challenge is generally the weather, but Nate's answer about the timelapse and when to switch the filter is definitely up there. I remember panicking about making the filter switch at the 2017 total solar eclipse lol

[autpops]

What are both of your top 3 bucket list photography destinations you have yet to visit?

A Greenland workshop is incredibly high on our list

[Laura Bradford]

I've seen some folks suggest shooting people's reactions to the eclipse rather than shooting the eclipse itself if you don't have a solar filter. How do you feel about unique/alternate approaches to eclipse photography?

OOo! That's a great idea, @AndrewNeary! Thanks for bringing it up!

[AndrewNeary]

What would you say to someone interested in starting conservation photography? Could you speak a bit to the storytelling that may be involved?

[Morganhaysphoto]

What are both of your top 3 bucket list photography destinations you have yet to visit?

I would be so down for a Greenland Workshop! i'm doing japan in 2025 so i'll report back with some must see spots!

[NateintheWild]

What are some common mistakes beginners make in astrophotography, and how can they be avoided?

I think the biggest mistake is having too long of a shutter speed. People tend to get scared away from high ISO and then shoot with a 30s (or longer) shutter speed and then you have star trails rather than crisp stars.