The aurora over the Brooks Range and the Koyukuk River, Alaska. Canon 5D Mark III, Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8, 13 sec @ f/2.8, ISO 2000. I included the post-development histogram for this photo that has been processed using Lightroom 5.
I recently returned from guiding two photo adventures in Alaska’s Arctic, seeking the northern lights, polar bears and all the other magic that the great north delivers. The trips were wonderful adventures, full of the drama that Alaska is known for, including weather, wind, snow and wild sights. I’ll have a gallery of images to show soon.
During these trips we dedicate some time to photographing the northern lights. One thing I always spend some time discussing is the use of a wide angle lens and composition. While this may be obvious in any treatment of landscape photography, it is a little more challenging on a dark night when a novice is focused on the aurora display in the sky, and not on what lays before them on the ground. A compelling foreground is what will bring any wide angle landscape to life. And since aurora photography almost always employs a wide angle lens, this should be a primary focus (I write and illustrate this point in my eBook on the subject). I like to approach a scene as though I am making a landscape photo that can stand on its own with the aurora’s presence. There are some limitations to this since the aurora does not magically appear exactly where you want it, but there are some general directions that one can follow.
In the photo above, I knew that the moonlight and the aurora would reflect in the foreground river so it prompted a low tripod position and a 14mm lens the help capture the linear shapes in the foreground. Fortunately for us on that mostly cloudy night, there was a cloudless patch in the sky where the northern lights appeared. The photo was taken at 2:39 A.M., and the lights were more active shortly before that but I was busy getting our guests lenses in critical focus (which can be no small task by the way, especially when using live view on a Nikon camera).
So if you have aurora photography on your bucket list, consider yourself a landscape photographer first and don’t get mesmerized by the show in the sky at the expense of an interesting foreground. Consider this:
- Survey the area and look for a foreground that is uncluttered
- If available, utilize a foreground surface that may reflect light in the sky
- Find a diagonal line to include in your foreground
- Get low if necessary
- Be aware of the direction of moonlight and use it to your advantage (front light is boring!)
Ah, good to see you back taking aurora shots, tis the season! And thanks for including tips and the histogram. I have your 2nd edition aurora photography book which has been very helpful (but I really need to find a way to keep my batteries warm!). Will there be a third edition or have you just about covered everything? Keep those pics and adventures coming.
Brian
Hi Brian, I’m working on an update for the eBook, but not sure if it will develop into another edition. There are few things yet to cover!
Very nice Patrick, and further proof that I was in the wrong location that night when the gap in the clouds appeared. The shot I got was OK (tops of some trees in the foreground), but nothing like you got on the edge of the river, where I should have been.
Mark,
You got some great images overall, and if that silly live view focus issue did not take up 3/4 of the night, I would have been out there earlier forcing everyone to the water’s edge!
It wasn’t so much that I hadn’t been at the water’s edge (though not where you were), but rather that I was heading in at that point (about 2:41 a.m. according to the exif data). The clouds parted and the gap opened as we were standing outside the cabin chatting, with Hugh I seem to recall. But, even if I had been where we started along the river it would not have been as good as where you were. When/if we travel again next, just remind me of this instance when you suggest that I change location or wait a bit longer for something to happen.
Mark,
Our aurora experience was pretty slim this trip, but if/when we are out together again, we will make sure to explore some shooting locations together.
Again?!? You have created yet more interesting and unique images using composition and reflections. Well done, Patrick! I finally figured out what was wrong with my focusing on the night we were photographing lights on the Wiseman pond. In my haste and excitement I dropped my camera getting out of the van that night. I didn’t know until several days later attempting to change lenses at a wedding that I had damaged my mount (and quite possibly the rental lens I had on the camera). I was having problems focusing my Nikon in live mode ALL night (as you mention)….darn, now I wished I had scooped up my other camera and used it! Just too excited about all of the cool displays of lights I guess. Easy to doubt oneself and get caught up in all of the beauty. So glad you had another great trip. LOVED Mark’s images!
Nice to hear from you Sue, I thought about you on the last trip and that great night of aurora we had. Lens and camera casualties happen now and then and it is a sad experience for sure. And I agree, Mark got some great stuff!
Thanks for the kind words Patrick, and to Sue as well (though I’ve already thanked her more directly).
Hi Patrick,
First I want ya to know I definitely plan on getting your e-book on Aurora photography. I’m thinking about getting that new kindle would it work on that or only apple Ipods and the like? I also want to congratulate you on your work being so well represented in the latest issue of Alaska magazine. The full center page spread of the caribou at Denali was exceptional to say the least! Your work fuels my own fire to capture as much of Alaska as I can now that we live here-Thanks much
Thanks Chuck, currently, the eBook can be downloaded from Apple iTunes or it can be downloaded from my website as a .pdf, which is readable on any device. I’m not sure however, if you can add a pdf to a Kindle. I think you can but it is a little more complicated.
Holy Cow! Wow Patrick!! What an AMAZING pic
If you are an amateur photographer who wants to learn how to better capture the northern lights then check this blog post by Patrick J. Endres out
Just gorgeous, Patrick. I love it that you can see the detail of the mountains, river, and foreground as well as the drama of the lights.
Hey Patrick – great image. What’s the issue with using live view on a Nikon camera?
Hey Patrick – great image. What’s the issue with using live view on a Nikon camera?
Fabulous photography and whetted my appetite to return again to Alaska for the eight time and do some real photography!