Do’s and Don’ts For Today’s Solar Eclipse

If the clouds break free this afternoon, you will be able to see a partial solar eclipse. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun. Here are some tips and pointers to keep in mind to get great photographs and to be safe.

According to The Tennessean, here are a few pointers that may help.

DO

• Use a solar filter to protect your DSLR camera sensor

• Use protective eyewear, such as welder's glasses

• Use a tripod or mount to avoid a blurry photo

• Manually focus your camera

• Set your camera settings before the solar eclipse — test those settings on a non-eclipse day

• Use a high ISO setting and high resolution — to keep exposures very short and prevent blurring from vibrations

DON'T

• Use a smartphone

• Look directly at the sun with your camera/eyes unless both are protected

• Forget to share your solar eclipse photos at yourtake.usatoday.com, and tell us where the photo was taken

The key is clear weather so keep your fingers crossed that the clouds in the Stateline will part.

The eclipse starts at 4:36 p.m. CT. Thursday, Oct 23. The eclipse will be at its maximum at 5:43 p.m. CT and the sun will set while still in eclipse.

Be safe, and be sure to share a few of your pictures if you get one later today. Here's to the clouds getting out of here for viewing.