The aurora danced in the night sky repeatedly over the past two weeks during the photo tours I co guided with Hugh Rose in Alaska’s Arctic. We guided two groups of happy aurora photographers who left much more experienced in this technical endeavor than when they arrived. The photos captured by all on both trips were amazing. A big thank you to the participants for trusting your travel and photo adventures to us!
The star trail photo below ended about 4:30am as the emerging light of dawn becomes apparent along the eastern horizon. Including some object of interest in the foreground, along with the north star in the sky is a goal when making star trail photos. I would have doubled this exposure from 30 minutes to one hour, but daylight was coming quickly. The yellow light along the pipeline is caused by a passing vehicle that had a flashing light on top. We all blocked our lenses to prevent any lens flare, and the only light that resulted from the brief moment is the shine on the pipeline.
30 minute star trail and aurora over the trans Alaska pipeline, Arctic, Alaska. Canon 5D Mark III, 14-24mm f/2.8 Nikon, 30 min @ f5, ISO 100.
Group photo in the windy arctic. L-R: Chris, Harry, Bob, Robert, Darlene, Hugh, Jen, Jenny, Dave, Patrick. England, USA, Australia & Canada
RT @alaskaphoto: The aurora and star trails. http://t.co/SVwnhB92M8
RT @alaskaphoto: The aurora and star trails. http://t.co/SVwnhB92M8
Never thought to try getting a star trail and aurora during my stay in Churchill – darn! What was the EXIF for that shot? You do have a great job!
Never mind! I jumped right to the original post but saw that the EXIF was in the email. DOH!
Thanks again for the fun and artistic group picture, best souvenir I got from Alaska. Your teaching is as inspiring as your photos which leads me not to be happy with ‘just ok pictures’. Big thanks to Hugh for saving me few times from the being stuck in the snow. Wish I have the chance to join your group again!
Jenny,
I’ve got another souvenir photo for you of the night we went exploring out on the river ice. It is a shot of you photographing with the aurora overhead. I’ll send it in an email. Glad to have you with us!
Patrick
Thanks, Patrick
Very nice Patrick, I might one day get a chance to meet you in person as my wife & I are moving to Alaska most likely late spring. We are in the preliminary stages right now. If you can provide any insight it would be greatly appreciated. I look forward to being able to photograph in some of the locations I’ve seen in your work.
Chuck,
Where are planning to move to in AK?