How to control the color when shooting northern lights
Aug 4, 2016 12:13:19 #
I was able to go to northern MN Tuesday night for the possible show of northern lights. While it took a while to get started, the wait paid off.
I have had some coaching on how to control the color. Of course post processing is always one way. It was suggested that northern lights should be shot using Kelvin 3000-3200. That most northern lights are cooler than what we actually see. I used a 30" exposure and lowered my ISO and used auto white balance. Is Kelvin a good shooting option for night photography?
I would ask your opinion on where the color setting should be set.
I have had some coaching on how to control the color. Of course post processing is always one way. It was suggested that northern lights should be shot using Kelvin 3000-3200. That most northern lights are cooler than what we actually see. I used a 30" exposure and lowered my ISO and used auto white balance. Is Kelvin a good shooting option for night photography?
I would ask your opinion on where the color setting should be set.
Aug 5, 2016 09:31:46 #
What you've got looks pretty darn fine. If shooting in raw then it won't make any difference except for what the camera shows you on the lcd screen, which is just a thumbnail built into the raw, showing what the camera thinks the processed shot would look like. Once in PP, you can set it to what ever looks best or change it on the fly for different effects. If shooting jpg you severely limit what your final product will be as only minor changes can be done after the fact.
Aug 5, 2016 09:37:12 #
Always RAW. Why do it if it is not RAW!!! Thank you. Only my third attempt and the lights were breathtaking. I got to the spot early (right before sunset) and got set up. Knowing that it is a probability you won't see colors and just trusting the camera to do it's thing takes a little practice. And if you don't see colors, replicating them in post is tricky. Stay away from neon and I guess you are good to go.
big-guy wrote:
What you've got looks pretty darn fine. If shooting in raw then it won't make any difference except for what the camera shows you on the lcd screen, which is just a thumbnail built into the raw, showing what the camera thinks the processed shot would look like. Once in PP, you can set it to what ever looks best or change it on the fly for different effects. If shooting jpg you severely limit what your final product will be as only minor changes can be done after the fact.
Aug 5, 2016 14:57:58 #
Aug 5, 2016 17:43:33 #
Thank you. Thanks for looking!!
Azboy wrote:
Wow! I would take those colors anytime, beautiful! 
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.