Aurora Borealis - Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada approx minus30 deg C - about 20 Dec 2001
After some discussions on other people's 365 project yesterday (thanks @bobfoto) I have decided to incorporate photos my past, travel photos and from the various countries I have been fortunate enough to live and work in.
This photo is special to me as it is the first time I used an SLR (film). This was a Canon Eos 5 and belonged to the wonderful pro-photographer assisting us with Aurora photography. I had purchased my first ever SLR for this trip - a Canon APS SLR - great travel camera and the pro taught me how to set it up on bulb and we were shooting approx a minute for each exposure. He also let me put a roll of film through his camera (and this resulted in several months later my purchase of a 35mm SLR). So in the deep end for using an SLR for me. Seeing the northern lights was an amazing experience, like a beautiful sheer curtain blowing in a breeze, colours shifting and shimmering; hearing them was amazing too, the crackling sound was such a surprise.
It was so cold, it hurt to breathe, camera batteries became sluggish and stopped working, I barely noticed though, I was so entranced with the experience, the aurora and the first moments of knowing I was hooked on photography.
I knew that you had not quickly and suddenly departed Canberra for the North Pole, so when I saw your name and this oh so obvious image, I got a little silly. Wowee!
No really. Wowee!
I would so love to have been there, been here, been somewhere! Oh dear.
Beautiful. I would like to see this in real life. I saw the Aurora Australis once from Aireys Inlet/Fairhaven across Bass Strait. i also am glad you are posting oldies
This is great, scanner hair and all :) I once saw the Aurora Australis in red over Canberra in the 80's, took a shot with the old Zenit on bulb but it was nowhere near this good.
Wow, that is so amazing. I've never seen the aurora borealis and it's something I would like to see before I shuffle off this mortal coil but I don't think it's going to happen. It must be an awesome experience. Simply beautiful shot.
I was speechless when I saw this (doesn't happen often) - it is so incredibly beautiful I would love to see it for myself. Until then I shall treasure this as a fave to enjoy over and again. Thank you. :)
Fantastic shot! I'm looking at scanners to get some old 35mm into the digital realm. This is such an amazing image and will be worth whatever it takes to clean up the dust and hairs. Sunspot activity is increasing to peak in 2013, time to plan a trip for aurora shooting.
Breathtaking photograph! It's pictures like this that makes joining communities such as this one worthwhile. Thank you for sharing! My new favourite fav :)
@robv I'm shopping for new film scanner online right now, investigating best ways to clean up dust ad hairs too (oops) thanks for the tip on 2013 - I may have to look into another aurora trip - it was so magical
another great shot, from another GREAT country! :) i must admit i had the same experience in Australia on the other end of the temperature spectrum whne it was so hot it was hard to breathe! my camera however didn't stop working!
this is incredible!! I've seen the Northern lights several times but have never set out to photograph them. What a trip that must have been. Happy New Year!
That sounds like an overwhelming experience! An impressive picture, but how must it feel to see something like this with your own eyes! This is really special!
Amazing amazing amazing. I am faving this for two reasons - firstly because it is an incredible photo, and secondly to remind and inspire myself to hopefully visit and capture the northern lights someday. :)
@lbmcshutter I think it means that on 365 it's very much what you're taking a picture of (kittens, kittens, northern lights, kittens) as much as how good you are. You're very good. May favs were when you were travelling around Australia a few weeks ago I think (without looking - did I get that right? After you came back?) but people like a good spectacle.
@clarissajohal it was pretty remote when I visited too, I went specifically to see the aurora - whilst remote it was easier to get to than some of the other aurora spotting places. Lovely place, a lot of local people were fascinated that an Australian had visited their town to see the aurora and I was welcomed wherever I went. From memory I flew from Vancouver to Calgary to Fort McMurray. Tried dog sledding and snow shoeing whilst there too, all very novel experiences for me.
Holy, what a textbook perfect n. lights shot! As someone who has HAD to go up there for work, I am amazed that you picked that location. I had no idea it attracted photography tourists! But as you said above, if easier to get to...
Jealous! I want to see these northern lights before I die! It's on my bucket list! Thanks for sharing the photo! this should belong in a science book somewhere!
Wow Megan..............I just couldn't stop looking this........It just blows me away! The colors, the shapes, the stars, the perfection. A Fav for all time. And Bravo to you for braving such extreme conditions to get an extreme photograph (guess you're no "sissy britches" LOL) Bye, Les x
I knew that you had not quickly and suddenly departed Canberra for the North Pole, so when I saw your name and this oh so obvious image, I got a little silly. Wowee!
No really. Wowee!
I would so love to have been there, been here, been somewhere! Oh dear.
+++++fav. thank you Megan for sharing!
fav
Thanks for sharing your memories