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ianrobins

Dancing virgins

Or that is what some nations thought of the aurora before science new what it was. This is one of my favourite locations when it starts....
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Or that is what some nations thought of the aurora before science new what it was. This is one of my favourite locations when it starts.
Read less

NIKON D300

settings

Aperture 28/10 ISO 800 Shutter 200/10 Focal Length 140/10

upload_date

Mar, 2017

Views

1119

Likes

+119

Awards

Handheld Stabilizer

Contest Finalist in Mountains And The Night Photo Contest

Peer Award

+38

Absolute Masterpiece

Superb Composition

Top Choice

Superior Skill

Outstanding Creativity

All Star

Virtuoso

Top Ranks

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 10 rank

Top 10 rank week 2

Top 10 rank week 1

Top 20 rank

Behind The Lens

Location

This picture was captured in one of my favourite places for aurora photos. I also love the location during the day especially in the so called dark time up here in the North of Norway. The light is just so amazing during this time of year.

Time

This can of course occur anytime it is dark. This image was captured 08-12-2013 21:18 I captured it with my old Nikon D300 and samyang 14mm F2.8 lens. Now technology has of course marched on and so has my kit. More on that later.

Lighting

If the aurora is very static it is worth keeping the iso as low as possible even with modern cameras. There are a lot of people that say you have to go high iso right from the start. I believe you have to react to the situation. If the aurora is static then its quit possible to take a long exposure as in this example. 20secounds iso 800. If it is getting colourful and dancing all over the whole sky you need to push the iso and go for a shutter of about 2 seconds. If you dont all you will get is a mass of green.

Equipment

D300 samyang f2.8 and of course a tripod. Cable release is of course also advisable. Just make sure your tripod is stable and worth the money you use on it. I run courses and the worst thing is one someone turns up with a cheap and nasty tripod that just does not do the job.

Inspiration

I know from experience that this is a good place. It is beautiful at any time of the year and anytime of the day. I also know it is face west from the beach out to sea. Thats the best situation for the aurora. so this is a perfect location that I have used time and time again.

Editing

I have used capture one for my post processing for years now. It is an excellent raw converter and the only piece of software I use in most of my processing. Contrast tweaks and light changes are all that is necessary anyway.

In my camera bag

Now I use a Nikon D810. It just does all I ask of it. I am very often guiding on a fast boat where I am guide and driver. I take it sight seeing in our 9 sitter bus where it is normally bouncing around in the back. It does it all. It keeps going in -20 deg C too. I have a lot of lenses now from a sigma 20mm f1.4 to sigma 120-300 f2.8. my bag is ready for all occasions. I also have a few tripods for those people who do not bring their own.

Feedback

Rap up warm. it can be bitter here in strong winds. It can also be 13 deg C plus it depends on the time of year you are here looking for lady aurora. We seem to have the best aurora during the autumn when we have the least guests in our guest house. Thats life I suppose. My best advice to you all is go out with a good guide who knows the area and how best to find a whole in the clouds. He or she will also know when the aurora is likely or not.

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ianrobins

ianrobins

Dancing virgins

Or that is what some nations thought of the aurora before science new what it was. This is one of my favourite locations when it starts.... Read more

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow ianrobins

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Or that is what some nations thought of the aurora before science new what it was. This is one of my favourite locations when it starts....
Read more

Share photos. Enter contests to win great prizes.
Earn coins, get amazing rewards. Join for free.