Get Ready to Photograph the Eclipse with your Phone

 

It’s Monday and the long awaited total eclipse is here! Kansas City is off to a dreary start with rainy weather, but we aren’t letting that cloud our excitement for the rare solar event.  Depending on where you are located around the US, some views are better than others, but surely you’re ready to take some photos of your experience. Our phones are our go-to cameras these days and we have some quick tips on how to maximize your iPhone and Android photography skills for Instagram-worthy eclipse pics today.

Safeguard Your Eyesight

You are going to want to heed this warning, because it could mean the difference between keeping your eyesight 20/20 or going blind. That’s no joke. Staring at the sun can seriously damage your eyes, so make sure you have your special eclipse glasses handy.

Refer to the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Reputable Vendors of Solar Filters & Viewers (link is external) site for a list of makers and dealers of the glasses that are verified to be compliant with the ISO 12312-2 international safety standard. 

Make sure to always supervise children using solar filters. Be considerate of beloved pets that may be outside and prone to looking up at the sun unprotected today by taking them indoors during peak hours.

Is it Safe for my Phone?

There has been a great deal of chatter online about whether you can damage your smartphone’s camera by aiming it directly at the sun. Many opinions floating around the net claim it is generally safe if kept brief. Another clever tip is to place a pair of solar glasses in front of your camera lens before you snap your photos. Do yourself a favor and read up on some quick research. Decide if you’re ready to risk camera issues. NASA has put together a guide that details the safety issues of photographing the eclipse by phone. Hey, worst case scenario, you can call your buddies at Mission Repair to mend your damaged camera!

Stabilize Your Settings

Most smartphones have camera applications that will allow you to set and lock exposure and points of focus. Long press on the display to lock the focus on the sun and then you should be able to slide up and down with your finger to adjust the amount of exposure. In this situation, you will want to lower the exposure setting overall to counteract the bright glow of the sun.

Gear and Accessories

Use a selfie stick, tripod, or DIY item to hold your device steady. Not only will this result in clearer, focused images, but you can be hands-free and able to enjoy watching the eclipse yourself.

Capture the Motion

Set it and forget it. Take a time-lapse video, a setting that comes standard on most popular iPhone and Samsung Galaxy lines. Some Android devices will require downloading a third-party app for time-lapse apps from the Play Store. We recommend, Boomerang, a catchy app that takes looping mini-videos perfect for social media sites such as Instagram or Facebook.

 

Whether you choose to use your phone, or leave it up to the professional photography devices to capture the stunning sight….Be safe, have fun, share your photos and experience in our comment section or Facebook page and enjoy the magic of this rare moment!

If Only Smartphones Were Smarter…

Well, wouldn’t that be nice?!  Happy Friday, everyone.

You Won’t Believe Our New Deals…

We are now featuring LOWER PRICES on one of our most popular repair services:

iPhone screen repair.

We care about staying on top of the best prices from our vendors so you can enjoy cost effective, hassle-free service. These are deals you just can’t beat. Visit www.missionrepair.com or walk in to a nearby location today for the hottest prices on lightning-fast repairs.

4th of July Closings

In recognition of Independence Day, our Mission Repair stores will be closed on Tuesday July 4th.  We will resume normal business hours on Wednesday July 5th.  We hope you all have a great holiday weekend!

Summer is Here

Happy Summer! The kids are out of school, the swimming pools are open and 4th of July celebrations are approaching; Life is good. We’re definitely feeling the summer heat here in Kansas and it’s only going to get hotter.  The season for fun in the sun is here, so please remember that water and technology just don’t mix!

☼☼☼☼☼☼☼☼

Despite the rising temperatures, we know that your world suddenly freezes when you see one of your gadgets falling into the water. Sometimes, accidents happen and our devices end up going for a swim along with us. If you react quickly, you may be able to salvage your water damaged device.  Try some of these quick tips for your best chance at water-damage revival:

• Make sure the device is powered off ASAP and don’t plug in your device to charge
• Gently dry off the exterior with a paper towel
• Don’t shake it, blow into it, or press any keys as this will push water further into the device. Try to leave it alone as much as possible. Don’t try to dry the phone with heat – excessive heat is damaging as well.
• Walk in to one of our local Mission Repair stores or visit our website to get started with a FREE 24-Hour diagnosis today.  Water damage does not always mean your device is forever dead and without hope. We will take a look at getting your device back to normal so you can enjoy the rest of your summer!