Solar Eclipse 2024

On April 8th, 2024, the much-anticipated Great American Solar Eclipse made its appearance. This astronomical event was something that I honestly wasn’t too excited for initially. I was even calling this event overrated and not even worth capturing. However, in light of the significant hype surrounding it, I decided to take the day off from work to fully experience the phenomenon. I distinctly remember watching several weather apps like a hawk in the couple of days leading up to the event, anxiously checking to see where the path of totality would cross in New York. The night before the eclipse, I found myself scrambling in a panic when I quickly realized that the original location I had carefully planned on for capturing this extraordinary event was likely to be blocked by some impending cloud coverage that may have blocked my view.

I started scrambling in a bit of a panic, my mind racing with options. I looked into various places in Vermont and New Hampshire, hoping to find a suitable location. However, I couldn’t really find anywhere that had clear skies for photography. As the clock approached 10 p.m. on April 7th, my dad made the helpful suggestion to look into options in Maine.

Mind you, I haven’t really traveled to the beautiful state of Maine in over four years since I moved back home to New York. In fact, I hadn’t even given much thought to the possibility of making the journey up there. Sure enough, there were clear, blue skies throughout almost the entire state, making it all the more inviting. Boasting with excitement, I quickly grabbed a change of clothes, packed my camera equipment, and set off for my favorite place in the world.

I arrived at the iconic Nubble Lighthouse at around 2:30 in the early morning hours. I sat there until the dawn began to break, I eagerly started firing off multiple different images with my camera, capturing the scenic beauty and exploring ideas that I have had in my mind for years.

I wanted to beat the large crowd of enthusiastic travelers, so I made the decision to start driving north shortly after capturing some sunrise photos in order to position myself perfectly in the path of totality. We’re currently on about nine hours of continuous driving at this point, and there is not a single bit of exhaustion in my body. I am still riding the wave of pure adrenaline that came from being back in this state that I hold so dearly and love so deeply.

I’m still not really excited about this event, as my enthusiasm seems somewhat lacking. I found myself feeling much more excited about capturing other beautiful photos that I had hoped to take while being in Maine, particularly those I missed out on during my time living here.

I looked up a few locations that I thought to have been promising for the path of totality. However, it turned out that all of these locations were unfortunately way overcrowded with people. I explored various options, including fishing piers, ponds, fields, and pretty much anywhere that offered a clear view without trees or power lines obstructing my line of sight for capturing the shots that I had in mind. Despite my efforts, I could not find a single spot that met my desires.

It was getting rather close to the event’s start and I was running out of time for a location.

That is precisely when I found myself in the town of Kingfield, Maine. It was somewhere that I likely would never have ventured to if it hadn’t been for this extraordinary event. I settled for a convenient pull-off on the side of a busy road, which, despite the activity around me, provided a clear and unobstructed view of the sun, so I was content. Although I was really starting to feel exhausted from my extensive travels, I remained motivated to capture this event and got ready to set up my gear.

A family of three and an older couple joined me, arriving probably about 15 minutes prior to the start of the much-anticipated eclipse event. At first, I must admit that I was a little annoyed by their presence. I had envisioned experiencing this moment alone, fully immersed in the spectacle in the sky. However, as time went on, it turned out to be incredibly enjoyable to witness their genuine excitement and wonder. Their enthusiasm sparked a realization within me that there was so much more to this event than I had initially thought. I ended up joining two separate families who couldn't have been any nicer if they had tried, and this camaraderie added a delightful layer to the experience.

I allowed the families the opportunity to look into my camera to see exactly where the eclipse was positioned in the sky. I offered up my iPhone solar filter to ensure that no one inadvertently damaged their phone’s camera lens while capturing this rare event. It was an amazing and memorable time getting to know them and sharing in the excitement leading up to the moments of totality.

Then came totality.

I was truly blown away by the experience. The hype surrounding this event was entirely real, and I found myself never happier to have been so utterly wrong about my initial judgment in calling this event overrated. As the weather turned much colder, a noticeable chill settled in, and I could hear several animals in the woods behind me becoming stirred up. I became so mesmerized by this captivating event that I almost forgot to take my solar filter off of my camera, which would have resulted in completely myself missing the opportunity to capture any pictures of such a rare occurrence.

1 minute and 34 seconds from the start to the finish of totality, based on the specific location I was positioned in, brought forth a whirlwind of emotions that I hadn't anticipated. I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to have captured this extraordinary event in the beautiful state of Maine—a place I had once envisioned calling home. It was truly an honor to share this remarkable moment with a group of strangers, all of us united in our awe and wonder, gathered together in a completely random roadside pull-off, creating a shared experience that none of us would soon forget.

Following totality, I made the decision to simply leave and not capture the remaining phases of the eclipse. I was utterly exhausted from the day's activities and the buildup to the event. With that in mind, I booked a hotel room back in Kennebunk and started my journey back with the hope that I could outpace the other travelers returning from the same spectacular sight. Unfortunately, I was severely mistaken in my assumption.

This incredible experience also honestly kick-started me into my journey as a travel junkie, and it has now grown to become an obsession with solar eclipses. This truly one-of-a-kind celestial event is simply incomparable. I have taken stunning photos of meteor showers, the mesmerizing Northern Lights, and beautiful sunrises, but nothing can even begin to come close to the raw beauty and awe-inspiring majesty that this unique event creates in the sky.