Eclipse: a celestial rendezvous over Paris
On Saturday, March 29, 2025, a spectacular celestial event unfolded over the romantic city of Paris: a partial solar eclipse.
As the Sun and Moon engaged in their cosmic dance, the opportunity arose to capture this phenomenon in a truly iconic setting. With the eclipse peaking at noon, the need for a striking vantage point became apparent. What better subject than the majestic Eiffel Tower to complement the celestial spectacle?
To achieve this breathtaking shot, the photographer positioned themselves on the quays across from Port Debilly. This location offered the perfect alignment, bringing the Iron Lady and the Sun into a singular, memorable frame.
The Art of Capturing an Eclipse
Photographing a solar eclipse presents unique challenges. A crucial piece of equipment for capturing the Sun's contours is a solar filter. However, using a solar filter drastically alters the landscape, making it impossible to capture the surrounding environment. To overcome this, the image is a clever composite of multiple shots – some taken with a solar filter and others without.
A telephoto lens, specifically a 150-600mm lens set at 200mm, was employed to ensure a substantial portion of the Eiffel Tower remained within the frame while still allowing for a clear view of the eclipse.
Equipment and Settings:
- Lens: Sigma 150-600mm
- Camera: Canon 6D
- Filter: AstroSolar solar filter
Camera Settings:
- With filter: ISO 100 - f/6.3 - 1/80s
- Without filter: ISO 100 - f/5.6 - 1/4000s
This stunning image is a testament to careful planning, specialized equipment, and the photographer's dedication to capturing the beauty of space events.
