Results

First contact

First frame. Hues are faithful to what could be observed thru the glasses or the polymer filter.

The happiest were the kids who knew they were living an unusual moment, feet in wet grass.

On this frame, with perseverance, spots can be distinguished, close to the center, on the bottom-right.

They were much more visible with naked eyes, of course.

The catadioptric 600mm is not the ideal instrument for this kind of photography. It is very subject to vibrations because of its low weight. And the useful speed range was exactly the one which generates the maximum of vibrations (1/30s to 1/250s).

First third

When displayed on a large screen, the slides show a quality loss.

The polymer filter is obviously the cause: this is certainly a less powerful solution than a regular coated filter.

In order to transfer these pictures on this site, I had no scanner. Moreover, it would have been necessary to use a slide-scanner with a powerful analyser..

I had to imagine a way to transfer the pictures. So I borrowed a digital camera and photographed the screen where the slides were projected.

The most sensible point was to keep an angle as narrow as possible between the projector and the camera axles.

Black Sun

Since digital photography only costs the time spent, I made several frames of each picture by varying slightly the angle.

Because of the texture of the screen, some white pixels appeared on the pictures.

Fortunately, the most interesting feature of digital imaging is the ability to clean, improve and modify the pictures after they have been done.

 

For example, here is a frame which contrast has been enhanced, the colour balance has been corrected. Compared to the previous one, prominences are much more visible (therefore, it is not originaly the same frame).

Prominences

Before the eclipse, my most instense wish was to have enough luck to see a prominence.

It was more than I could expect. They were visible with naked eyes. The photographic result is far from what observable the D-day. However, it is further that I imagined to be able to obtain. This is a very nice souvenir.

The big advantage of digital documents is the ability to rework. A simple colour shift enhances some details and hides some other ones.

It also highlights invisible former information.

Corona

Seconds are necessary for the eyes to accustom to the sudden darkness and to see the famous corona.

It gradually ignites as the pupil opens.

Once accustomed, the spectable is rather splendid. Kids said ah, said oh.

Beating heart, noze in the wind, we were there, fascinated.

Diamond

As the Sun reappears, an intense light suddenly flashes. The heart is tiny: it's finished. And the pleasure is already corrupted by the thought that such a phenomenon will not be soon observable.