My second favorite of my eclipse shots: thee next one in my stream is even better!!

For the annular eclipse in October 2023 I bought a solar filter. For that eclipse Montreal's weather did its usual, so I only saw a portion of it. Nevertheless I got a shot of it (a bit on in my stream). And it allowed me some practice for the big event in April 2024.

After much hardship, hassle, and hoards I arrive at a new spot to shoot the eclipse. It is blessedly absent of crowds (the city decided to take over my spot in Jean Drapeau, with the government offering free solar glasses for the first 150,000 people who showed up. And no, that is NOT a typo!!). I set up, picnic with the snacks I brought, and begin shooting the progress.

Then the temperature plummets. The light dims and takes on an unearthly quality; the city lights snap on. I remove the solar filter and attempt to dismount the camera from my tripod to shoot the city when a weird second ring appears around the eclipse! Frantically I restore the body and swap back the lens, but not fast enough to catch the double ring. (And I also miss a low-flying plane that buzzes between me and the eclipse, lights flashing). But I finally manage to recenter totality and manage a few good shots. (And yes I had brought a second body but the infrared camera decided to lock up with error messages. I should have brought a film body!!). So my quest to get a cityscape-and-eclipse turned to naught, sadly.

Regardless, I love how this turned out! (Hit "L" for the "L"ovely view as it looked in the sky)

After the peak, many people leave. I stay to shoot the transition back to normal, awed. I see why people chase these around the planet...

Tags:   C.A. McMullen Photography eclipse solar eclipse totality total exlipse corona astrophotography In Explore G2 300mm Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EF 100-300mm f/5.6 L

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The 2024 total solar eclipse, with Bailey's beads visible. One of my favorite shots of the day.

For the 'L'ovely view, hit L.

Tags:   C.A. McMullen Photography eclipse solar eclipse totality total exlipse corona Bailey's beads astrophotography G1 300mm Canon EOS 5D Mark II Canon EF 100-300mm f/5.6 L

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Another year in the history books. Again, scant shooting this year. I camped out for most of Montreal's jazz festival (I missed a few days...unheard of before Evenko bought them) and picked up some special filters for astrophotography, one of which I used in this image. But largely a light year (no pun intended): have I hit a wall? Only one long bike ride, no significant trips, even working a film festival I forgot to bring my camera to work! Didn't shoot last winter, this fall was ugly...so yeah, astronomical events primarily. And the usual musicians.

Not bad for a genre II don't usually shoot in -- not to mention the fact that this image was shot and uploaded in October, the end of the year!

Maybe my resolution for 2024 should be to get back into the saddle. Still, the work I did produce I generally liked!

Tags:   C.A. McMullen Photography #MyFlickrYear2023 RTsan

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Tags:   C.A. McMullen Photography musician monochrome vocalist black-and-white jazz bebop 200mm Festival International de Jazz de Montreal Quarter des Spectacles man Montreal Quebec Canada concert FIJM Canon EOS 350D Canon EF 50-200mm f/3.5-4.5 L

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