"Thors hammer"
Aurora borealis above Straumur, near Hafnarfjörður in Iceland.
The shape of the aurora is resembling the shape of the hammer of Thor from the old norse ...
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Aurora borealis above Straumur, near Hafnarfjörður in Iceland.
The shape of the aurora is resembling the shape of the hammer of Thor from the old norse religion.
Read less
The shape of the aurora is resembling the shape of the hammer of Thor from the old norse religion.
Read less
Jan, 2015Views
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Awards
Action Award
Zenith Award
Creative Winter Award
Curator's Selection
Top Shot Award 21
Legendary Award
Great Shot
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Peer Award
Magnificent Capture
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo is taken in Iceland, close to Hafnarfjörður at a place called Straumur. In the distance the lights from Keflavik (where the US had air force presence) can be seen.Time
It was taken at 30 march 2013 at 1:40 am.Lighting
Well, it's hard to shoot so close to the main road to Keflavik (where the national airport is located) due to the street lights that can be seen on the photo. But by timing things just about right with trial and error and then wait for the moment when the aurora just gives you shapes that are unique you can capture photos like this.Equipment
I shoot exclusive on Pentax cameras when shooting digital. This photo was shot on Pentax K5 IIs for example and I used SMC Pentax 16-50mm f/2.8 lens. I had Manfrotto tripod and exposed it for 10 sec. at f/3.5.Inspiration
I actually wanted to capture the aurora that night, so I just took the chance of capturing the aurora so close to the metropolitan area. It paid off for me since I got plenty of photos of the aurora dancing in the sky that night.Editing
Yes, I did contrast the photo a bit and dim the highlights just a tad. Then added +15 of clarity and then just some minor adjustment with white balance and etc. in lightroom.In my camera bag
That depends on the occasion and the mood i'm in. I nowadays always carry my Pentax K1 and set of prime lenses with me. Then I bring either Pentax ME super or K1000 film camera with me as standard in my bag. Some days I just switch all up depending on what i'm doing. I might be shooting Pentax 645 film camera or 70 year old Peerflecta TLR 6x6 film camera at the theater, or my Olympus OM-1 or OM-2 on the street. Sometimes I go for landscape photoshoot with my son and then while he is shooting his Pentax K-S2 i'm shooting Pentacon Six TL MF camera. So the equipment is really picked for each occasion.Feedback
Yes, always bring a tripod, good clothing, spare battery, some snack or food and plenty of patience with you when you go for the aurora hunting. And if you don't catch the aurora, be sure to have selected environment that could do as a second option for long exposure instead so you didn't waste all the time. Just enjoy taking the shots and a good company doesn't hurt either.
