Northern Lights St. Patrick's Style
Mar 17, 2015 23:27:21 #
Mar 18, 2015 09:19:42 #
Mar 18, 2015 09:24:19 #
MWojton wrote:
Very cool. How common is it to see the Northern Lights in Michigan?
In the UP, more often...up where we live (northern lower michigan), a few times a year...it would be more if the skies were clear during the winter.
Here's a much better edited shot from last night.
Mar 18, 2015 09:30:19 #
I always wanted to see the Northern Lights. Going to the UP is a lot closer and easier than countries farther north. But then, I suppose, there is a better chance of seeing them the farther north you go.
BTW, nice shots.
BTW, nice shots.
Mar 18, 2015 09:32:48 #
MWojton wrote:
I always wanted to see the Northern Lights. Going to the UP is a lot closer and easier than countries farther north. But then, I suppose, there is a better chance of seeing them the farther north you go.
BTW, nice shots.
BTW, nice shots.
What was interesting is that to the naked eye, I could only see a white looking cloud arching over the water, with slight hints of greens. It wasn't until I put a 30 to 60 second exposure when the intense greens, and reds, yellows, purples and blues appeared.
Mar 18, 2015 12:33:48 #
Cdouthitt wrote:
Shot tonight in Glen Haven MI. Overlooking the Bears.
You da man, Clint. Thanks for sharing those shots. It's high on my bucket list to see and photograph the aurora. I posted an alert about the magnetic storm on the main section here last night but yours are the only pics I've seen.
It appears the lights are fast moving at times. Did you try any exposures at shorter time lengths? My dream would be to fly to Fairbanks or some far flung place and catch them someday. I hope to find out as much about technique as possible beforehand so I'm not fumbling in the dark. Sure appreciate you showing us your results and any tips you have for shooting them.
Mar 18, 2015 13:03:39 #
Thanks...I used two lenses...a 25mm f1.4 and a 7.5mm 3.5. Both of which I was using wide open. I'll post a 25mm shot later tonight after I edit them. Obviously the exposure time was a fine balance between my aperture and ISO. I tried to keep the ISO as low as possible as with m4/3 it can get quite noisy above 800 ISO. That said I found anywhere from 30-60 seconds worked the best...it just depended on how busy the aurora was at that given moment. I probably should have used the live bulb feature (to get live, realtime results), but I was being lazy and didn't feel like connecting with wifi or with a remote (you need to press the shutter to start and stop the exposure).
A red flashlight would have been more handy than my iphone screen.
A red flashlight would have been more handy than my iphone screen.
Mar 18, 2015 13:21:25 #
Cdouthitt wrote:
Thanks...I used two lenses...a 25mm f1.4 and a 7.5... (show quote)
Thanks for the details. I have a LED headlight that weighs almost nothing. It has both white and red bulbs. It's great for night work. Think I bought it at Bass Pro, but I bet it can be found on Amazon.
Mar 18, 2015 13:29:16 #
Cdouthitt wrote:
Shot tonight in Glen Haven MI. Overlooking the Bears.
Lovely, I've been to the Sleeping Bear Dunes, beautiful part of Michigan.
Mar 18, 2015 21:33:10 #
Here's a couple more...just for the heck of it.
Mar 18, 2015 22:13:13 #
Cdouthitt wrote:
Here's a couple more...just for the heck of it.
It must have been unbelievable being there in person. I really like that last one with the aurora reflection turning the water green. Did it last a long time? Did you feel hurried taking the shots?
I realize it was pitch black except for the aurora, and there were two fences between you and the water, but did you by chance get close enough to the lake to get even closer reflections?
Mar 18, 2015 22:32:41 #
GregWCIL wrote:
It must have been unbelievable being there in person. I really like that last one with the aurora reflection turning the water green. Did it last a long time? Did you feel hurried taking the shots?
I realize it was pitch black except for the aurora, and there were two fences between you and the water, but did you by chance get close enough to the lake to get even closer reflections?
I realize it was pitch black except for the aurora, and there were two fences between you and the water, but did you by chance get close enough to the lake to get even closer reflections?
Didn't feel rushed, but I also didn't feel like I had a chance to take it all in...I was busy thinking about composing for the next shot.
Interestingly enough, it wasn't until I put the camera to the sky when the other colors were made visible. To the naked eye, only a whitish fog that was moving along with some green flares were visible. I didn't want to really move from my spot as I liked having the extra elevation....that and it was really dark down there by the water. I didn't have a ton of time to spend out there, as I had to get up early the next day, and I was a solid 30 minutes from my house.
Hindsight, I should have gone down to the waters edge.
Mar 19, 2015 01:01:08 #
Very, very nice, MWojton! And you can see the northern lights there in Michigan! Wow! That' something I've never seen.
Mar 19, 2015 02:48:36 #
Cdouthitt wrote:
Didn't feel rushed, but I also didn't feel like I ... (show quote)
I might have just stood there with my jaw dropped.
Mar 19, 2015 06:57:00 #
sailorsmom wrote:
Very, very nice, MWojton! And you can see the northern lights there in Michigan! Wow! That' something I've never seen.
Except he didn't take the shot...just saying.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.