Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

First Attempt at Northern Lights Part 2 · **4 Likes**

I edited one photo I posted earlier a different way with a different crop and am adding a few more. My intention is not to over process the images. This was a level 5 night for the Aurora. I'm including my camera settings - I was trying different lenses and lots of different settings. We were there as close to the New Moon as we could get so the stars would really be out. Thanks for looking!

1.

ISO 800, Shutter 20 seconds, f5.6, Sigma 10-20

2.

ISO 800, Shutter 20 seconds, f5.6, Sigma 10-20

3.

ISO 800, Shutter 20 seconds, f5.6, Sigma 10-20

4.

ISO 3200, Shutter 30 seconds, f3.5, Pentax 18-135

chesebert · 04-05-2018, 11:48 AM

Might want to "paint" the foreground with light the next time around.

sealonsf · 04-05-2018, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by chesebert

Might want to "paint" the foreground with light the next time around.

Thanks for the suggestion. How would that be done? I travel light with one bag but could bring a small LED light - but it would not be defused to light a big area. My other concern would be if there are other photographers - I don't think they would appreciate me introducing light. Or do you mean doing something in post processing?

chesebert · 04-05-2018, 12:07 PM

Originally posted by sealonsf

Thanks for the suggestion. How would that be done? I travel light with one bag but could bring a small LED light - but it would not be defused to light a big area. My other concern would be if there are other photographers - I don't think they would appreciate me introducing light. Or do you mean doing something in post processing?

I was thinking along the LED light route - it's tricky to get it right (have not been successful myself but have seen others' work with great success).

C_Jones · 04-05-2018, 05:15 PM

Nice shots.

sealonsf · 04-05-2018, 05:19 PM

Originally posted by C_Jones

Nice shots.

Thanks!

skierd · 04-05-2018, 10:58 PM

The best way to light the foreground is with the moon imo.

Nice set. I think image 3 is the strongest. It shows the flow and flair of the lights well and has enough of the ground to scale the image.

Where is all of the red ambient light coming from?

GeoJerry · 04-06-2018, 12:39 AM

Fabulous shots, the first especially. It's a wall hanger! Nice to see such good results from the venerable K-5.

sealonsf · 04-06-2018, 08:54 AM

Originally posted by skierd

The best way to light the foreground is with the moon imo.

Nice set. I think image 3 is the strongest. It shows the flow and flair of the lights well and has enough of the ground to scale the image.

Where is all of the red ambient light coming from?

I didn't see that light when I was there - only noticed it in the photos, so I'm not sure. We were by some cabins that had lights on but not much else. It's a mystery. It's snow on a frozen lake. Some of those streaks from the lights went from the ground to above our heads. It was amazing to see.

---------- Post added 04-06-2018 at 08:55 AM ----------

Originally posted by GeoJerry

Fabulous shots, the first especially. It's a wall hanger! Nice to see such good results from the venerable K-5.

Thanks! Yeah, I still like my K-5. I might upgrade when a new body comes out but it's keeping me happy for now.

nocturnal · 04-06-2018, 04:49 PM

Well done, nice photos!

Location location location!!! Matters much more than the gear!

sealonsf · 04-06-2018, 04:57 PM

Originally posted by nocturnal

Well done, nice photos!

Location location location!!! Matters much more than the gear!

Thanks for commenting... so true. We had the perfect location.

sealonsf
	View full profile
	Contact via private message
	Find other posts by sealonsf
	Find threads started by sealonsf
	Find threads in which sealonsf has posted

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Nature First Attempt at Photographing Northern Lights	sealonsf	Post Your Photos!	7	04-05-2018 10:39 AM
Reykjavik to switch off street lights for Northern Lights	interested_observer	General Photography	5	09-28-2016 01:15 PM
Night Autumn's first northern lights (in Finland)	Stickl	Post Your Photos!	13	09-29-2013 05:43 AM
Landscape My first Northern Lights shots	Mr_Canuck	Post Your Photos!	6	06-01-2013 03:23 PM
Nature First northern lights of this year	Stickl	Post Your Photos!	9	08-23-2012 10:02 AM

04-05-2018, 11:48 AM	#2
chesebert Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 360	Might want to "paint" the foreground with light the next time around.

04-05-2018, 11:54 AM	#3
sealonsf Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Francisco Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,729 Original Poster	Originally posted by chesebert Might want to "paint" the foreground with light the next time around. Thanks for the suggestion. How would that be done? I travel light with one bag but could bring a small LED light - but it would not be defused to light a big area. My other concern would be if there are other photographers - I don't think they would appreciate me introducing light. Or do you mean doing something in post processing?

04-05-2018, 12:07 PM	#4
chesebert Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Chicago Photos: Gallery Posts: 360	Originally posted by sealonsf Thanks for the suggestion. How would that be done? I travel light with one bag but could bring a small LED light - but it would not be defused to light a big area. My other concern would be if there are other photographers - I don't think they would appreciate me introducing light. Or do you mean doing something in post processing? I was thinking along the LED light route - it's tricky to get it right (have not been successful myself but have seen others' work with great success).

04-05-2018, 05:15 PM	#5
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,086	Nice shots.

04-05-2018, 05:19 PM	#6
sealonsf Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Francisco Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,729 Original Poster	Originally posted by C_Jones Nice shots. Thanks!

04-05-2018, 10:58 PM	#7
skierd Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fairbanks, AK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,472	The best way to light the foreground is with the moon imo. Nice set. I think image 3 is the strongest. It shows the flow and flair of the lights well and has enough of the ground to scale the image. Where is all of the red ambient light coming from?

04-06-2018, 12:39 AM	#8
GeoJerry Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,158	Fabulous shots, the first especially. It's a wall hanger! Nice to see such good results from the venerable K-5.

04-06-2018, 08:54 AM	#9
sealonsf Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Francisco Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,729 Original Poster	Originally posted by skierd The best way to light the foreground is with the moon imo. Nice set. I think image 3 is the strongest. It shows the flow and flair of the lights well and has enough of the ground to scale the image. Where is all of the red ambient light coming from? I didn't see that light when I was there - only noticed it in the photos, so I'm not sure. We were by some cabins that had lights on but not much else. It's a mystery. It's snow on a frozen lake. Some of those streaks from the lights went from the ground to above our heads. It was amazing to see. ---------- Post added 04-06-2018 at 08:55 AM ---------- Originally posted by GeoJerry Fabulous shots, the first especially. It's a wall hanger! Nice to see such good results from the venerable K-5. Thanks! Yeah, I still like my K-5. I might upgrade when a new body comes out but it's keeping me happy for now.

04-06-2018, 04:49 PM	#10
nocturnal Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Photos: Gallery Posts: 507	Well done, nice photos! Location location location!!! Matters much more than the gear!

04-06-2018, 04:57 PM	#11
sealonsf Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Francisco Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,729 Original Poster	Originally posted by nocturnal Well done, nice photos! Location location location!!! Matters much more than the gear! Thanks for commenting... so true. We had the perfect location.

Nature First Attempt at Northern Lights Part 2

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!