- Aurora Borealis, Yukon Territory, Canada. August 2007 Copyright Matt Zaffino
If you’re a fan of natural beauty like sunsets, lightning or Michelle Wie’s golf swing, then the northern lights are probably high on your list of things to see. Or see again, if you’ve already been lucky enough to catch them. As we head out of the quiet period of the sun’s 11-year cycle, opportunities, even at relatively low latitudes of cities like Portland, Boston, Paris and Istanbul, will be increasing. But here’s what happens MOST of the time when I get word the lights might be on: nobody’s home. That is to say I go outside, away from citiy lights, let my eyes adjust to the dark for about 20 minutes, and nothing. A few shooting stars maybe. But don’t give up! Grab that digital camera, set it on a tripod and shoot a wide shot around the big dipper. You’ll need a long exposure, about 30 seconds usually does it, and you’ll have to play with your aperture and shutter speeds. But to see what can happen when you get it right, check out my picture above. Lo and behold, the lights may be ON! I made this picture on a backback trip in the Tombstone Range. Yes, I was near the Arctic Circle. But that actually added to the challenge because there was so little darkness to work with in mid-summer. I couldn’t see the lights with the naked eye, but the long exposure of the shot and sensitivity of the digital sensor captured what I couldn’t see. Pretty cool for 2 am in the middle of nowhere.
Matt Zaffino
Terri
I hope you are enjoying your trip, it looks wonderful.
I just wanted to comment that since Aug 3, I have seen the Northern Lights every night in Vancouver, WA. Last night was spectacular. Unfortunately, it was mostly cloudy last night, but they were still visible through them. It was clear on the Western horizon so you could see them dancing over the West Hills, then streaming to where you had to straight up. You could follow the light waves from horizon to straight up, they showed through the clouds.
Most of the nights they have been from all directions and average, but last night, no matter where you looked there were waves coming from all directions, lighting the clouds and dancing through the clear spots. You just had to look to the sky and it was like ocean waves at high tide, except they also danced.
Unfortunately, where I live, I can’t get photos as there is to much ambient light and it is brighter than the lights on long exposures. If they are still that strong on Saturday, I will drive North to the depths of darkness, which is almost impossible to find on this side of the state. I can only imagine how beautiful the lights were last night without the city lights.
Thanks Terri, this trip continues to amaze. Good luck making pictures of the AB. Stay with it!
Matt Zaffino