Capturing an Aurora in the South!
What seemed impossible became possible!
I have been a photographer for over 20+ years and an astrophotographer for about 11 years. One of the most incredible events to capture on camera is the Aurora Borealis light show from the heavens. I live so far south in the USA, that it is just an impossible sight and truly just out of reach, until now. I am in the loop regarding solar activity, enough of my news feeds keep me informed, but when it comes to an aurora it's now just white noise because that will never happen here where I am.
24 hours before this rare event in our skies, I had commented on another photographer's picture about how desperately I would love to witness this, and silently in my heart, I prayed to God, Lord one day grant me the ability to travel and witness this amazing event that only you can create.
To some, this may seem like a trivial request in the grand scheme of things. But to me making the prayer it has been a strong desire to capture this event. Auroas are unheard of this far south! The idea that this happened and was visible in my town with light pollution galore was truly a miracle. And God, in His infinite wisdom and love, delights in fulfilling the desires of our hearts — no matter how seemingly insignificant they may be. I am thankful my God is like that. I am not trying to push Christian beliefs on anyone reading this, I am just sharing my heart and the thanks I have for the one I find my peace in.
So let’s talk some technical specs on how I was able to capture this. Surprisingly my iPhone did a pretty good job with getting the general colors of the sky, but it was unable to pick up the ribbon patterns, which is what I was really looking for. This would require a DSLR camera. The ability to set a long open, shutter allows for more light to pour in and leave an imprint on the sensor. Anytime you’re doing night photography the longer you can leave your shutter open the better however you have to take into account star trails as the Earth rotates. If you were using a super wide lens, you have the advantage of not needing to track because you can leave the shutter open longer as the star trails do not appear as noticeable.
It’s also important to set a two second timer so your finger is away from the button after you push it. This helps with stability. I like to use two seconds better than 10 seconds because it allows me to take more pictures faster. I can be pretty impatient when it comes to waiting for the next picture to take. However, it is incredibly important to be patient when taking images of anything.
I took my images with a Canon 7D on a tripod using 30 second exposures at around a 1600 iso. This seemed to be the sweet spot for me. The lens I used was a fisheye. Perfect to capture as much sky as possible. I put together a timelapse of all the images from that evening, and what was wonderful about it was it showed the movement like ribbons in the sky. I am so thankful that I was able to get pictures of my own. I feel truly blessed thank you for letting me share them. I hope you found this helpful.
Author Note: Thanks for reading, liking, commenting, and sharing. My writing is a part of my healing process. I am a broken spirit, a fallen sinner, but I am a forgiven child of God. That is why I share my vulnerable heart with all.
About the Creator
Nagoh Creative (Greg)
Writer, Poet, Astronomer, Photographer & Encourager. I am on a road of life recovery and sharing my journey with words and art. Most importantly, I am a forgiven Child of God, Husband, Father, & friend. All work is my own, & God's Glory.
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AFFIRMATION
SUNDAY MORNING THERE WERE GREY HOLES IN ENDLESS NUMBERS HOVERING ABOVE OUR HEADS in a none other than ominous demeanor... as gaping lips of funnel clouds, waiting. Blueness of a sky above was invisible beyond them. It was as though the grey pits loomed as a vacuum for souls taken and yet to be carried away for their ills done and yet undone. I waited beneath them for the change, but the stillness predominated. Nothing was uplifted and nothing fell from the above, yet there was a heavy feeling to the space around me and everything in vision's reach. Was I waiting for the vision so many have alluded for all the eras of mankind? Hours passed, six in the break of morning out of the night, until half past seven, nothing moved above the slow traffic of sparse automation along paved roadways. I sat, bit into egg and bread, sipped juice and the heavens sat idle. I snapped image after image to capture anything missed in my gazing up at the would be nothing... except grey billowing holes. To stare into the abyss of those proved nothing, brought nothing and gave nothing. There was nothing except the thoughts racing through my mind, and perhaps the mind of any other one witnessing the stillness of that hour on this Sunday. Of late, I dared not pray out loud and avoided any related mannerisms and gestures to be read as a religous, racial, gender placed or sexual conotation idealized by haters of today's society. There are so many haters who hate intensely enough to void their own emotives, cancel their mainstay for enjoyment and comradery... call end to a "glee club", void the "Goodwill club" and cancel opportunites for "ON MY OWN TIME." Those are they that relish the re-enactment of all failed historic events; even those complained about in the many religious manuals. So much of the world population has grown impatient and tired of waiting for God's justice and resolution. They have grown tired of hearing of injustices by mankind to in favour of one branch of humankind over those others who suffered similar travesty. Tired of the partiality reflected for race against race when God's promise ensured so much more. I waited beneath the obvious recount of sins. And so, I sat watching the overhead, waiting. Nothing moved... until well after seven. The sky shifted to the north and slightly east. The move affected no tree or bird on wing, nor did it take the lingered holes out of their posted shape. They simply shifted as a whole. By seven thirty the sun peeked through the greyness in the shape of a heart shining from on high and it was over. The audible sound of tires rolling, birds cawing and sounds of people chattering as they walked along a short path ahead of themselves. A car on the pavement ahead of me read, "He's coming back." As I digested the intent and purpose of the car owner's mind and message, I thought to myself. "We learned as early as early as Sunday School in our grandfather's church, that everyone is guilty of sins and that in spite of those sins, HE IS COMING BACK."Assuming the "he" referred to on the back window of that Sunday morning vehicle meant Jesus or God... anyone with half a thought of his or her own would wonder "Why would anyone return after such harsh treatment with the support of his or her own people, his own "kou" that condemned him in his own time and still do in this hereafter. For all these others who have watched them and the few who immulated those who would condemn "Him" stand waiting beyond that "judgement" spoken of for the GOD of condemning populations to hurry back and save all humanity. Would it be better not to be chasing the dream melded by those incapable of that first original compassion? Is it a better stance to be so expectant of a return, only after having promised ones life to be OTHER THAN LIKE THOSE of such a selfish demeanor. Is it better to be ever watchful, to be compassionate toward others "as we would have done toward ourselves," to "forgive the shallowness of mindset held by others" but KNOW where illness of heart and manner lay. Be a reflection of the intended and not the damned. I returned home to make breakfast... pancakes, sausage and eggs over easy with maple syrup. He could "Come Back"... nothing happened beneath the holes in the firmament on Sunday morning.
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Comments (1)
Those photos are sooooo gorgeous! I'm so happy you shared them with us!