Professional Photographer’s Tips To Keep Camera, Eyes Safe During Eclipse

Whether you're a professional photographer or someone hoping to catch an Instagram picture with your phone, there is a safe way to take pictures of the solar eclipse.

In a matter of days, Oklahoma will be in the shadow of the moon. During the total solar eclipse, the moon will drift in front of the sun, blocking the sun's light for several minutes.

Scientists are predicting the bucket list moment will be seen in Tulsa around 1:00 p.m. August 21st.

But how do you capture that moment safely?

Apertures Photos owner Natalie Green said as beautiful as a solar eclipse is to witness, it's nothing to mess around with if you aren't prepared.

"It's all about the solar filter. It's all about the solar glasses. Without those two then you really need to stay inside and watch it on television," she said.

The solar filters Green is talking about are dense to protect camera sensors from being burned during the eclipse – they’re also hard to get your hands on.

"In Utah, in New York in California that are calling Oklahoma thinking, ‘Oh, they must have filters in Oklahoma,’" Green said. "There are no filters available in the United States of America right now. None."

But solar filters aren't just needed to protect professional camera lenses, they’re also a necessity on your phone's camera.

Green said without protection, the sun's rays could burn the camera sensors on your phone.

"See it in the magazines and on TV, but don't go out, don't take the chance, don't burn your retinas, don't burn out your cell phone," she said.

Green recommends letting the professionals cover this one.

The next solar eclipse won’t happen until 2024.

If you want to catch the solar eclipse with your own eyes, you'll need some glasses. The STEMcell Science Shop will have a new shipment at 9 a.m. Saturday morning.

You can find a list of safe solar eclipse glasses here.