What can photographers learn from the solar eclipse?
I didn’t make it to this years solar eclipse, so created the image above in Adobe Firefly, I’m not sure Firefly is quite ready to put us photographers out of a job, but that’s a whole different topic.
I have only ever experienced partial eclipse, but clearly remember the spooky light and the sudden and distinct chill in the air. In Somerset we were thousands of miles from the 'path of totality' of the most recent eclipse, but the images from across the other side of the Atlantic were breath taking.
Crescent shadows formed during a solar eclipse
If you’ve been lucky enough to witness this event with clear skies you might have noticed the crescent-shaped shadows that occured. This beautiful effect is due to a phenomenon called the pinhole camera effect.
When light is seen through a tiny in a screen it projects an inverted image - in this case the inverted image of the eclipse is filtered through gaps between the leaves that act as pinhole lenses and project a myriad of flittering solar eclipses on to the ground below.
It’s natures own artistic expression of a natural light pinhole camera. If you’re interested in finding out more about pinhole photography and giving it a go, check out my pinhole photography workshops here.
Photography is all about light and shadows and quite aside from the profoundly crazy mathematical coincidence that, from where we stand, the moon appears to fit exactly into the shape of the sun, this astonishing natural phenomenon plunges parts of the world into briefly into an unearthly darkness, creating chills, silencing wildlife and encouraging thousands of people to leave their homes and workplace to stand to attention en mass and stare upwards towards the heavens. This is the power of our sun, it’s natural light, how we rely upon for life, routine and meaning to our existence.
As a photographer I’m looking forward to the next few months. This amazing, free, natural light source will allow me to get outside and take photographs during my Pinhole workshops. Our photographs will have exposure times of around 90-120 seconds - a far cry from the 20 minute indoor exposure throughout winter months! My outdoor family and commercial shoots literally take on a new light as I work with natural light as a narrative tool painting pictures and emotions with my subjects.
It’s true that a natural light photographer has to be super adaptable: unpredictable weather, subject availability, and equipment malfunctions are all constants we contend with, and need the flexibility and ability to recalibrate our tools and expectations.
But, there is a beauty in the unexpected too, working with natural light cultivates patience, adaptability, and a profound connection to our surroundings, for a photographer who is fully tuned, it can enhance our storytelling capabilities through the artistry we enjoy, which in my opinion is something that Firefly will never be able to replicate.
Roll on summer, it has rained and blown for far too long already!
If you’re interested in signing up for a fun pinhole photography workshop get in touch. Equipment, paper and chemicals are all provided.
Deborah is a Somerset based, nationally published, Commercial and Family photographer, Digital Artist, Retoucher and Educator.