Northern lights several nights co

[tbob]

We have been fortunate enough to get bright northern lights and warm summer nights over the last three weeks. Usually it is really cold and miserable when I can see the aurora so I cannot stay out and wait for the best display. This time I was able to stay out for over an hour each time and wait. At the risk of overdoing it;













This one was dead easy; over my house.




A rare combination a full moon to illuminate the field and beehives plus really bright aurora. Usually a moon this bright would wash out the aurora.

[Dave Humphries]

Amazing series Trevor, I am envious - except for the cold

[Shadowman]

Lucky you, nice series.

[DougR]

Beautiful! I have never seen the northern lights and most likely never will unless they can be seen from Georgia. Thanks for sharing.

DougR

[Barbara Ponder]

Very cool shots Trevor!

[tbob]

Amazing series Trevor, I am envious - except for the cold

The usual winter cold (minus 20C or lower plus wind), and for some inexplicable reason my need for sleep during the dark hours, have hitherto reduced my opportunity and desire to shoot the aurora. The warm nights combined with the high active solar wind made the last three weeks a golden opportunity.

[DanK]

A truly outstanding series. They are all remarkable, but I like the last best.

I do have one question, as someone who does a little bit of night photography. On the little laptop I am using at the moment, the last two seem very clean, but there appears to be color noise in the others, particularly the first two. The exif says roughly 30 second exposures, if I am reading it right. I don't shoot Nikon, but I wouldn't expect a full-frame low-density sensor like the D700's to have a problem with exposures of 30 seconds, particularly in the cold. Were the first two somewhat underexposed?

[Kris V]

I envy you! Years ago, I had the opportunity to see the Aurora while I was in Scotland. At that time, I never thought about photographing.....
Too busy looking and and aaaawww - ing.....
These are some awesome shots!

[tbob]

Were the first two somewhat underexposed?

Extremely so. I should have increased the ISO or the exposure time; or both. The originals are very dark and I was amazed I could recover anything. The noise really put me off ever doing anything beyond chucking them into the trash. However i showed them to several nonphotographer friends. They had two opinions. 1) I was crazy to even think about discarding the shots and 2) What noise? I had to magnify the images to show them and even then they thought it was of no import. Still; i will never print them or display them at anything beyond computer screen size.

[DanK]

I do t know whether you use Lightroom, but it's chroma noise correction is quite good. Might be worth a try.

[NorthernFocus]

Really nice set, Trevor. Something I have no photos of for the same reasons you described. Usually too cold for me when they are around. Well done.

[IzzieK]

Beautiful! I have never seen the northern lights and most likely never will unless they can be seen from Georgia. Thanks for sharing.

DougR

Never say "Never!"

Trevor -- all good ones! I particularly prefer #3 and #4 best of all...nice series.

[Ziggy]

Enjoyed viewing.

[Rita]

What a wonderful series Trevor. The northern lights are one of the most magnificent sights to see.

[rachel]

very envious!

[bnnrcn]

Great series Trevor

[wtlwdwgn]

Beautiful set of images!

[GBO25]

Ripper shots. I don't envy your temperatures but I do envy your night sky.