Solar photography.....how to adjust in Photoshop elements

Hi, I am relatively new to this so please forgive me if my question is a little 'broad'. I recently heard that it is possible to take photos of the sun with a digital camera. I have done this and uploaded the image to Photoshop Elements but found it impossible to remove the glare so that i can actually observe the disk of the sun and the sunspots etc. Can anyone advise as to what the best way of doing this is?

Thanks for your help

Daniel

Daniel,

I hope you used an effective solar filter to take that photo. If you don't have one, here's one source: http://www.thousandoaksoptical.com/solar.html See the camera filters at the bottom of the page.

Digital camera photos are similar to those taken on slide film in that highlights blow out easily on overexposure. Exposure is very critical. It's very likely there is no detail if you didn't use a solar filter and proper exposure. Solar filters are not the same as a neutral density filter, they reflect the heat to prevent damage. An ordinary film camera without a solar filter can be damaged in an instant if it has a focal plane shutter. I'm not sure how the CCD in a digital camera will hold out to that type of heat.

Could you give us more information as to how you are trying to take the pictures? Are you using a solar filter, are you attaching the camera to a telescope or just using the max zoom on the camera, exposure info, etc.

FYI, Here's a link to a solar photo taken using a digital camera attached to a telescope using a solar filter:
http://www.abmedia.com/astro/planets/sunspot9393.html

wrote in message

Hi, I am relatively new to this so please forgive me if my question is a

little 'broad'. I recently heard that it is possible to take photos of the sun with a digital camera. I have done this and uploaded the image to Photoshop Elements but found it impossible to remove the glare so that i can actually observe the disk of the sun and the sunspots etc. Can anyone advise as to what the best way of doing this is?

Thanks for your help

Grant. I've been doing it for some time now, all with a digital camera, but with a filter and a scope. The only safe ways are projecting the suns image, or using a specially built filter on the OBJECTIVE end of the scope.

You *really* need a filter, as it's unlikely you could get a quick shot of the sun any other way.
BTW, NEVER look at the sun with the naked eye.

If you really are interested, PROJECT the sun onto a white surface, take the shots that way

Go here for my photos, and links off to how to do this SAFELY.

http://users.bigpond.net.au/wanglese/photos.html

Cheers,
Wally from Australia.

Hyey Robert, cool photo, who took that?

Have you seen my digital sun photos?

http://users.bigpond.net.au/wanglese/photos/html

Hi Wally,

It's always nice to meet a fellow astronomy enthusiast!

The photo was taken by Chris Cook. Here's his main website: http://www.abmedia.com/astro/. He's got some very nice photos posted. Take a look at his deep space images.

I hadn't seen your photos before but they are very good. Thanks for the link, I enjoyed seeing them.

Bob

Hyey Robert, cool photo, who took that?

Have you seen my digital sun photos?

http://users.bigpond.net.au/wanglese/photos/html

Bob and Wally

Seems there are three of us now!

Grant

It's always nice to meet a fellow astronomy enthusiast!