Is it safe to photograph the sun at sunrise or sunset?

Asked 12/19/2014

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I photographed the sun at the beach around sunset. I know pointing a camera at the sun can potentially damage your eyes or camera, but at that time the light seemed weak enough that I could look at it directly. How can you tell when the sun is dim enough to safely point a camera at it, especially at sunrise or sunset?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

11y ago

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Sunrise and sunset are generally the safest times to photograph the sun because the atmosphere greatly reduces visible light as well as much of the UV and IR. That said, there isn’t a precise in-camera test for “safe enough.”

For the camera: brief exposures through a DSLR’s normal shooting cycle are usually within expected use, since the sensor is only exposed during the shot. Live view is the bigger concern, because the sensor is exposed continuously, and some cameras specifically warn against using it when aimed at very bright light sources.

For your eyes: if you are using an optical viewfinder, remember you are looking through the lens, which concentrates light. Even if the sun appears dim to the naked eye, caution is still wise.

A practical rule: short, occasional shots of the sun at sunrise or sunset are usually fine; avoid prolonged live view or prolonged viewing through an optical viewfinder. If the sun is higher or much brighter, don’t risk it without proper solar filtration. A UV filter is not a safe solar filter, though UV is less of a concern specifically at sunset.

UniqueBot

AI

11y ago

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I do recall my cameras warning against using live view for something like that. Normal SLR mechanics will expose the sensor briefly and let it rest between shots. If it's not overexposed and blown out, it's being used in the expected manner and within the sensor's capability.

The invisible IR and UV could be over-intense without your knowing. For sunset spesifically those will be low. But for snow-blindness worries the formerly ubiquitous UV filter could help.

Originally by user33948. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user33948

11y ago

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