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By Charles S. Morris

In Fillmore, the eclipse on August 21st was an interesting event. For those in the thin band of totality, it was spectacular.

As totality approaches, you notice that the sky is gotten quite a bit darker and the temperature has dropped. The sky takes on a very eerie look. The planet Venus can now easily be seen. With only seconds to go, looking to the West, the sky darkens in that direction, as the moon's shadow approaches. Looking through a filter, one can see just a thin arc of light where the sun used to be. And then it's gone. There are yells of excitement and "filters off" and then it becomes quiet.

Looking up where the sun is supposed to be, without any filters because none are needed, there is a black hole in the sky. This is literally the dark side of the moon on full display. It is not totally round because the moon has valleys and mountains that are projected along the limb. In certain places you see small bits of pink or red gas that hangs above the sun's surface. These are called prominences. We can use special telescopes to see prominences without an eclipse, but they are even more impressive when projected onto the white solar corona, the outer atmosphere of the sun. Visually, the solar corona extends one or two solar diameters away from the sun. Being at solar minimum, very few sunspots on the sun, the solar corona is distinctly extended. It is the solar corona we can't see from Earth, except during an eclipse And the human eye sees all this at once.

Extending over you is literally a dome of darkness during totality, not totally dark, but perhaps like twilight an hour after sunset. Brighter stars and planets can be seen. For this eclipse, Venus was obvious and Regulus, the brightest star in Leo the lion, was visible near the sun. Other stars and planets were no doubt visible, if one looked for them. Along the horizon in all directions the sky is brighter. It is like a cone of darkness has descended on you, which is exactly what has happened. You are completely under the moon's shadow.

I was in Gendo, Wyoming for the August 21, 2017 total solar eclipse. Gelndo was on what is called the centerline of the eclipse and provided viewers with 2 minutes and 25 seconds of totality. This was the first total solar eclipse in the continental United States since 1979 and was expected to be seen by millions of people. Personally, I have been fortunate to have been to six total solar eclipses.

Why do people go all over the world to see these rare events? Because eclipses are one of the most awe-inspiring sights that nature produces. No photograph or video can do justice to what the eye sees, although pictures and video can give a hint of the excitement.

For camera buffs, the pictures included in this article were taken with a handheld Canon 6D camera with a 200 mm lens, which is an unorthodox method for photographing eclipses, but allowed for taking minimum equipment. The exposure was fixed at 1/500 sec, f/8 and the ISO was varied between 200 and 4000 during the eclipse, which effectively increased the exposure. This method also provided more time for just looking at the eclipse.

The next total solar eclipse in the United States will be in April 8, 2024. However, every year or so there is a total solar eclipse someplace in the world. More and more people are traveling to see these rare gems of nature. The first thing that is often asked after a total solar eclipse is "When is the next one?" Chasing solar eclipses is addictive.

* TEMPERATURES...High temperatures will range from 98 to 112 degrees through Friday. Low temperatures will be in the 70s to lower 80s...highest across the elevated and foothill locations.

* IMPACTS...The very high temperatures create a dangerous situation in which heat related illnesses are possible. Temperatures inside vehicles, even if the windows are partially open, can quickly rise to life-threatening levels. To reduce risk during outdoor work the occupational safety and health administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments.

Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency - call 911.

(l-r) Martha Navarette was presented a Mug from Rotary member Ari Larson, for speaking to the group about all Santa Clara Valley Hospice has to offer. Photo Courtesy Martha Richardson.
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Martha Navarette, Director of the Santa Clara Valley Hospice spoke to the Fillmore Rotary Club about how local Hospice started as home support group, but are now more than that. They lend medical equipment, transport patients to and from doctor appointments, have case workers and give referrals. They also give physical and spiritual support as well. All of the services are free. They are located at 217 N. 10th St. in Santa Paula. They are having a Grand Reopening on September, 15th at 5:00 pm. 805-525-1333

Bob Crum

After four consecutive weeks of run and gun photoing, I'm sill in recovery mode as I write this. The past weekend was without an assignment but it's never like I have nothing to do. I still have rodeo photos I shot at the fair to post process. A photojournalist's fun is never done.

Rodeos are a challenge to shoot. Bucking broncs and bulls are difficult to predict. I try to anticipate the animal's direction and start pointing the camera in that direction expecting to get the money shot. I guess wrong a lot, thinking the animal will go this way but it goes that way. Grumble... grumble.

Another thing I try to accomplish is getting the bronc or bull rider in focus while getting the animal a tad blurry to illustrate it's action. Of course that requires getting the shutter speed dead on, Ha! Again I frequently guess wrong, but when I'm right... the image is spectacular. I get paid a lot for spectacular photos. You'll see the effect in a couple of the rodeo photos if you're observant... hint-hint.

Of course, timing is crucial as well as composition. It's important to keep the shutter button poised and ready. I get so upset when I'm a millisecond late. Must be that as I gracefully mature (ahem... age) my reflexes are getting a tad slower. My legitimate excuse for miscues!

As you know, pressing the shutter release button halfway activates the autofocus presuming that you're gear supports autofocus. But from my experience, the process is somewhat problematic.

Too many times, depressing the shutter button half way to activate focus results in two problems: 1) the shutter button is often too touchy... push it a tad too much and get a premature photo missing the money shot; 2) in the heat of exciting action, the shutter button often gets pressed in one swift push preventing time for the lens to focus. Hence, too many out-of-focus shots. Not good. Remember, an out-of-focus photo cannot be fixed!!! So, I gave up on that method years ago. Even for mermaid boudoir photography.

On my Canon 7D Mark II, I have the option of assigning an external button to activate autofocus. It's commonly called 'back button focus'. I designated the “*” button as my autofocus activator. I use the shutter button ONLY when I'm taking the photo. Before I actually take the photo, I'm pressing the “*” button on back of the camera to 'pre' focus so that when I mash the shutter button, focus is done and locked. Bingo: Money shot!

Even by the back-button focus method is not totally fool proof... especially when I forget to push it! But it's much better than using the shutter button to focus before taking the photo. If you have a camera that allows you to assign another button to activate focus, I encourage you to do so. It will improve your in-focus to out-of-focus ratio significantly. For those you who try it, let me know about your experience. BTW, it will take practice so that it becomes second nature. Just sayin'.

Panning... following a fast moving a subject in focus with the background blurred... is an interesting and creative technique. Set the appropriate shutter speed, aperture, and follow the moving subject. Rodeos provide such opportunities. Online, fillmoregazette.com, find and identify the rodeos photo where I panned the subject and the first person who emails me the correctly identifies the photo (it's also marked) wins one free Baskin Robbins scoop of ice cream. Offer ends at noon on Wednesday, 9/6/2017.

I selected the 'leaping bull' as the “Photo of the Week” because I was amazed that an animal that large could jump that high.

Happy photoing!

Send your comments, suggestions or questions to bob@fillmoregazette.com

Chief Rigo Landeros

Fillmore’s Chief Rigo Landeros will be added to the 2017 California Firefighters Memorial at the 15th Anniversary Ceremony. The Foundation invites you to join them in memorializing the sacrifice and dedication of California’s fallen heroes Memorial Ceremony on September 30, 2017. The ceremony will be held at the California Firefighters Memorial located in Capitol Park, Sacramento, CA. A special 15th anniversary tribute will be held on the evening of Friday, September 29, 2017. Chief Landeros, who passed away in January 2016, will also be inducted into the Ventura County Firefighters Memorial on November 17, 2017.