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Carcross Desert Lit Up
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Carcross Desert Lit Up



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Nothing quite as beautiful as watching the aurora borealis dance it's way across the sky over the mountains in a snowy desert. (Carcross, Yukon, Canada)...
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Nothing quite as beautiful as watching the aurora borealis dance it's way across the sky over the mountains in a snowy desert. (Carcross, Yukon, Canada)
Read less
upload_dateMay, 2016

Views

118

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Awards

Peer Award
YvonneEschenbach Noddygts Vince23 RichardAlford
Superb Composition
artiste9999 Mntnapoet
Top Choice
joshuashearier
All Star
EricKoth

Top Ranks

The Aurora Photo ContestTop 10 rank
The Aurora Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 1
Nature And The Night Photo ContestTop 30 rank
Nature And The Night Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
Mountains And The Night Photo ContestTop 20 rank
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Mountains And The Night Photo ContestTop 10 rank week 2
Mountains And The Night Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Seeking Light In Nature Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Seeking Light In Nature Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 2
Seeking Light In Nature Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 1
Night And Rule Of Thirds Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Night And Rule Of Thirds Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1
Worldscapes Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Worldscapes Photo ContestTop 20 rank week 2
Visual Poetry Photo ContestTop 20 rank
Image Of The Month Photo Contest Vol 10Top 30 rank week 1
Visual Poetry Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 2
Visual Poetry Photo ContestTop 30 rank week 1

Categories

Submitted to Photo Contests

Tags

#aurora borealis #northern lights #yukon
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Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken in the middle of a snow covered Carcross desert, in the Yukon.

Time

It was only about just before 10pm when the northern lights started to dance across the sky.

Lighting

The northern lights were so bright that night that I didn't even need a slow shutter speed. It lit up the entire sky.

Equipment

I shot this using a Sony NEX 5R with just the kit lens 3.5-5.6/18-55mm on a tripod.

Inspiration

When living in the Yukon for the year, I spent countless nights chasing the northern lights in hopes of capturing them on my camera. I was lucky enough this night to be able to witness an incredible show of lights for a couple of hours and capture it with many photos.

Editing

I barely touched this photo in post-processing, as the lights were so perfectly captured the way I saw them, I didn't want to tamper with the quality of the image and change the brightness of the lights or vibrancy of colours. A few tweaks of clarity, highlights and shadows, slight but nothing too much.

In my camera bag

I have my Sony a6000 body, with my Sony 18-55mm and 55-300mm lenses. I also have a mini tripod, as well as a pack of Hoya filters for when I have the opportunity to shoot moving water.

Feedback

Northern lights were my unicorn. I spent countless nights trying to get this image, but so many factors come into play. There has to be a good Aurora forecast, then you need to have a clear sky, no clouds to cover them. You need to have patience, and be aware that they may not come out until 2am. The further north you go, the better your chances, as longer nights, means darker nights and better to see them. Also make sure you are away from light pollution, nothing worse than city lights getting in the way of a good northern lights viewing.

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