Did you feel the total eclipse?
That is my revision to last week's post.
I'm sorry. I really need to get something off my chest. I have to talk about what may seem as a tired subject--the eclipse. I know, I already wrote about it just last week. You've seen tons of pictures and videos. I think I was in such a hurry I didn't give it what it deserved.
As I've been sharing about my experience of the eclipse, something has really become apparent-- specific knowledge of what separates a partial eclipse from a total solar eclipse.
The difference between a parital eclipse (what most people saw) and a total eclipse (what fewer saw) is like the difference between smelling a random fresh-baked pie blind-folded versus seeing, smelling, and eating the best pie you've ever had in your entire life.
I've heard (mostly through media sources, from people who did not witness it, not personally):
"What's the big deal?"
"Eclipse...who cares?"
Sometimes I just assume that people are as fascinated with space and nature as I am.
The more I talk to people, the more I realize that people may not even know what they missed.
Unless you were within a 70-mile strip across the country, (I'm calling it the eclipse parade route), you basically missed it.
Everyone was able to see the moon slightly obscure the sun. You couldn't tell the difference here on our planet. You would never even know it was happening.
In fact, now that I've seen a total eclipse without glasses, putting on glasses for a partial eclipse is really lame. I doubt I'll even bother seeking out a partial eclipse in the future.
But Kyle, I hear what you are saying but I just don't care about a total eclipse.
Let me just say this. Feel it first, then tell me what you think.
I hate saying this (especially as a photographer), but a photograph or video only puts you in a very limited view of what happens during an eclipse. It cannot capture the feeling of what happens while it unfolds.
At most, my picture can only be a reminder of what you felt during the experience, and that's generally what photographers try to do.
People on this planet may only have a single chance to see it in their lifetime. That's the other thing people don't realize. Unless you can travel great lengths, you may never be able to feel another one in your lifetime.
You've seen some pretty dramatic reactions to the total eclipse most likely. Again, these are NOT people seeing partial eclipses.
Me, I get their reaction. Totally get it.
The extraordinary humble feeling that spills over you in the moon's shadow cannot be replicated.
