Solar Eclipse Timer vs Photo Prado

The Solar Eclipse Timer app is marking its 6th eclipse since 2017, which speaks volumes about its reliability and the trust it has built within the eclipse-chasing community. Helping tens of thousands of people enjoy the eclipse more by being reminded to observe all the fascinating eclipse phenomena. Photographers are aided by down-to-the-second precision and countdowns. Since the 2026 path covers some remote areas as well as high-traffic spots in Spain where cell service could be overwhelmed on eclipse day, the app works offline once unlocked. So, geolocation and contact time calculation are all done within the app. This makes it a true "field tool." The app is free to try, and for only a $1.99 in-app purchase to unlock the 2026 eclipse, it's an easy "yes" for anyone who has invested time and travel to be in the path of totality. In-App Video Tutorial: The first button on the Home Screen provides a comprehensive tutorial that explains all the app's functions and how to use them effectively. Audio and Notification Tests: The second button lets users run a "device sound check" to confirm that audio cues, spoken timings, and notifications are audible, which is critical since the app is designed to talk to you. Practice Session Video: The third button launches a 4-minute-45-second video of my actual eclipse-day observation site in 2024, synchronized with the app's real-time announcements. This allows both observers and photographers to practice their routines repeatedly, such as observing for shadow bands, adjusting shutter speeds, and knowing when to remove solar filters. Additionally, dialogue boxes appear as functions are selected, giving you more guidance. On eclipse day, after you get into the path, you can be timing the eclipse in 3 easy steps: 1. Tap to geolocate. 2. Tap to have the app calculate the precise contact times. 3. Tap to load the times into the timer. That's it! You are timing the eclipse. A major convenience feature of the app is the automatic calculation of the clock times needed to capture a perfect set of partial-phase images before and after totality. It is the only app in the world with this function. Collaborating with the late Fred Espenak (Mr. Eclipse) on Photographers Mode before the 2024 eclipse gives the app an incredible pedigree. For pros who need to stay "in the zone" and only care about timing and countdowns from C1 through C4, this mode is a game-changer. You can manually enter coordinates and save the site as a file. This helps compare multiple potential viewing locations. The app includes a hyperlink to the Solar Eclipse Timer website, which gives access to downloadable worksheets to record your partial-phase image times or the chores you want to do in Photographers mode, as well as my Master Stop Chart to count full and partial camera stops. I have observed and photographed six total solar eclipses and one annular eclipse. The concept of an eclipse “talking” timer was developed by me in 2002. I have been helping people time eclipses for almost 25 years. When you use the app, you will appreciate that it was designed by an eclipse chaser. There is also a link to learn more about my comprehensive eclipse observation and photography book, now in its second edition, titled “Eclipse Day.” The app also has a partial eclipse timing mode. This app is ad-free and does not track any user data. ALWAYS USE EYE PROTECTION DURING THE PARTIAL PHASES OF A SOLAR ECLIPSE! OR EVEN WHEN IT IS BRIGHT! NOT DOING SO CAN CAUSE EYE DAMAGE! We are NOT liable for misuse of the app, causing inaccurate timing, or the lack of eye safety precautions during the observation of a solar eclipse. The "glasses off" and "glasses on" statements are guides based on the calculated contact times. The timing can be affected by your phone's clock and the shape of the shadow due to the edge of the lunar limb. Use the Adjust buttons for Lunar Limb variation time adjustments. Glasses should be ON if it's bright!

Photo Prado is the official app of the Museo del Prado that allows you to take home a unique, personalised memento of your visit. You can now take a photo with artworks from the Prado and save or share it as a digital postcard using the Photo Prado app. Thanks to Artificial Intelligence, you can appear in a photo taken inside the museum next to masterpieces such as Las Meninas, The Garden of Earthly Delights, The Drowning Dog or even become part of one of the paradises depicted in Flemish painting. You can also take a fun selfie at a special Prado-themed photo booth. The perfect souvenir from your visit.   Using advanced technology, the app precisely identifies your silhouette and automatically places you alongside the selected artwork, adjusting scale, perspective and lighting to create a natural, realistic result. Photo Prado recognises both people and their surroundings, ensuring that photos are only taken in authorised areas of the museum. You can take individual photos, couples’ photos or family photos with young children in the foreground (the app will guide you with framing). Perfect for families with children.   This app only works inside the Museo del Prado, as the AI needs to identify a special marker located in designated areas of the museum – a totem marked as a Photo Point. You’ll find these totems in the following locations:     Point 1: In the Jerónimos entrance hall, next to the sculpture The Defence of Zaragoza by José Álvarez Cubero. Point 2: In the Jerónimos Prado Shop, near the exit.   Download the app and enjoy a different kind of visit to the Prado. Once inside the museum, head to one of the Photo Points, open the app and let the magic happen. Your photo will be stamped with the museum’s seal and the date of your visit – a memorable keepsake, ready to share.   Gallery of available artworks: Las Meninas by Diego Velázquez The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch The Drowning Dog by Francisco de Goya The Washing of the Feet by Tintoretto The Andrians and The Worship of Venus by Tiziano The Descent from the Cross by Rogier van der Weyden The Family of Carlos IV by Francisco de Goya Orestes and Pylades or The San Ildefonso Group by Pupil of Pasiteles Selfie/ Bosch Photocall Selfie/Spanish Painting Photocall   How does Photo Prado work technically?   Smart person recognition The app uses AI models to detect the presence and position of people in the image with high precision. This information is used to generate segmentation masks that isolate the subject from the background, allowing for further processing. Unlike traditional chroma key or basic edge-based techniques, this method uses neural networks specifically trained to understand the human form, even in variable lighting or complex backgrounds.   Context validation through object detection In addition to analysing people, the app includes a contextual validation system: it scans the visible surroundings to detect specific objects that confirm the photo is being taken in an authorised area. This is achieved with AI-powered object classifiers that verify the presence of predefined physical markers or features. The combination of object classifiers and person-detection models enables the necessary calculations based on scene geometry to maintain correct proportions, orientation and scale. Once the scene is validated, the image is automatically processed, the subject is precisely extracted and placed into a personalised background.