Finland Aurora fire_HDR
Playing around with HDR. Didn't want to over do it.
Playing around with HDR. Didn't want to over do it.
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Jul, 2016Views
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Awards
Action Award
Legendary Award
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
All Star
Superior Skill
Virtuoso
Genius
Emotions
Impressed
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Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
I took this photo near Nellim, Finland.Time
This was about 1 am. Sometimes I stay up all night as I find that just before dawn the lights blow up fantastically for about a minute. It is a sight to behold.Lighting
Depending on the brightness I don't need to shoot for more than 6 seconds but you do have to experiment. I don't go above 3200 ISO with auroras so sometimes exposure is longer or less. It depends upon the KP index of the aurora (Brightness scale). One thing to understand when shooting auroras is that the camera sees more than the human eye. Especially when the Auroras are weak or first appearing. It's fun to see the camera pick up more than your eye.Equipment
At the time I was using a Nikon D600 with a 14-24 lens with a tripod. Since it is so cold, I tape a heat pack beneath the battery door.Inspiration
What I wanted more than anything was a reflection shot and as I was taking some photos, someone lit a fire so it really added to the magic of the moment. I was really thankful.Editing
I only use basic sliders in Lightroom. Sometimes bumping up or down contrast will make it pop. But you have to experiment.In my camera bag
These days I carry Sony Gear. Sony A7Riv. But it depends on whether I am doing portraits or nature which lenses I will carry. I have a bad back so I only carry what I need for the shoot. I always have a cleaning kit and clean before the shoot but sometimes dust or rain is in the air and I need to clean while I am outside. I always carry a camera rain sleeve. I am usually shooting wildlife so I use a Sony G 100-600mm lens and I have a Sony Bridge Camera Rx10IV since the lens goes from 24-600. That way I don't have to change lenses if I have a close encounter with wildlife.Feedback
Download an Aurora ap so you see what the KP Index forecast. Aurora Alert and Aurora Forecast are good ones. A cloud and radar forecast ap is also helpful. Clouds are the enemy and if you need at least a week since you are fortunate if you have clear nights half the time. Understand what you are looking at. I find a latitude above 66degrees has a greater chance of seeing the auroras more often. The sun has an 11-year cycle and sunspots are what create many colors. In 2020 we are coming out of the low when the sun is at a negative with little to no sunspots. The aurora is visible with solar wind in negative years and will appear mostly green. So we will be at a peak in the next 4-5 years. Happy shooting!
