On August 12, Spain will witness a total solar eclipse, the country’s first in more than a century; the previous comparable event was in 1905. Photographer Néstor Rodan, who has documented three solar eclipses, is preparing to photograph the rare alignment, when the Moon completely covers the Sun along a narrow path of totality. The eclipse is expected to cross northern and eastern Spain, with totality at about 20:28 local time in León, 20:29 in Zaragoza and 20:32 in Valencia.
Rodan stresses that preparation is impressive to achieving a clear, memorable image. He advises checking the precise timing and location in advance and making sure equipment is ready and working. The Moon’s shadow will move across Earth at roughly 3,700 kilometers per hour, so photographers should settle on a viewing location before the event rather than rely on last-minute travel. Greatest eclipse is calculated for 17:45:53.8 UTC, far from Spain; local timing varies with the observer’s position along the shadow’s path.
For mobile phone users, Rodan recommends a tripod to stabilize the device and careful exposure adjustment to keep the bright solar disk from washing out the image. Wide-angle framing can include the field and viewers, while longer focal lengths make the eclipsed Sun more prominent but demand steadier support and more precise tracking. Because the eclipse takes place late in the day, the low Sun and changing light may also affect composition and exposure.
Safety is basic to Rodan’s guidance. Directly viewing the Sun during the partial phases can permanently damage the retina, even when most of the solar disk is covered. NASA and the American Astronomical Society advise using eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312-2 standard or a suitable handheld solar viewer; ordinary sunglasses are not safe for direct solar viewing. Glasses may be removed only during complete totality, and must go back on as soon as sunlight reappears at the Moon’s edge.
Cameras, binoculars and telescopes need a purpose-made solar filter fitted over the front of the optical system whenever the bright solar surface is visible. A filter placed behind the lens or eyepiece does not provide equivalent protection. The same front-filter principle applies to smartphone cameras: an appropriate solar filter helps protect the imaging equipment, while certified viewing glasses protect the observer’s eyes. Children should be supervised throughout the event.
Rodan’s experience also highlights the value of planning each shot, from choosing a location with an unobstructed view to anticipating changes in light. Photographing people’s reactions or the changing field alongside the eclipse can add context to a record otherwise focused on the Sun. A further total solar eclipse is expected to be visible from Spain on August 2, 2027, making the 2026 event part of a rare sequence for observers and photographers.
