A series from last night's geomagnetic event over western Colorado. The aurora was subtle to the eye but built steadily in long exposures with intense color. I included several variations with different tree silhouettes and a communications tower as the activity shifted.
Thank you Joel, it wasn't quite the show as the one in November but still spectacular in its own way. It seems every time I've photographed the aurora around here, it's always a different look, feel, color tones, etc.. Appreciate your feedback.
JWRisinger wrote:
Wow, really cool! I enjoy the tower images as much as the others.
Thank you for the kind words! I always struggle with a foreground element for aurora and astrophotography images, and silhouetted trees are my default since they are easy to utilize. But this night, I too thought the radio tower made for a nice foreground, while also conveying the concept and effects of space weather and geomagnetic storms on modern technology; and how solar activity and charged particles interacting with Earth’s magnetic field can disrupt radio signals, GPS, satellite communications, and power infrastructure. I appreciate the feedback!
Such intense colors! What time did you take these? I have to deal with light pollution from the Front Range cities north of Pueblo and so have a hard time being enthused about trying to see it.
Thanks Al! These were from later in the evening when things really ramped up, I think it was around 10 or 11pm. I should have stayed out later as it really became intense from 2-5am from what I heard and saw people posting. I hear you on the Front Range — light pollution can definitely take the fun out of it unless the activity is strong. I wish people and businesses would tone down their night lighting and treat dark skies as something to preserve. I see all kinds of intense lighting being installed that contributes greatly to light pollution. Luckily I live nearby to a dark sky area north of I-70 and that makes it relatively easy to get to good areas to photograph astro and aurora photography.
Al Trujillo wrote:
Such intense colors! What time did you take these? I have to deal with light pollution from the Front Range cities north of Pueblo and so have a hard time being enthused about trying to see it.
Nicely done! Seeing (even with just a camera) the aurora is always a thrill! We rarely get them here in my part of northern California. But when we do, it's fun to get out there and try to get some good pics!
amyandmark3 wrote:
Nicely done! Seeing (even with just a camera) the aurora is always a thrill! We rarely get them here in my part of northern California. But when we do, it's fun to get out there and try to get some good pics!
Mark
Thanks Mark, I appreciate the nice comment! Totally agree — even seeing it just through the camera it's a thrill. They’re rare here as well, which makes those nights extra special when they show up and makes it so fun to get out and shoot. They make for such interesting subject matter to photograph. Hope you get an opportunity again soon.
Thanks, Morris — that first one was my favorite as well. I also like #2 and 3 looking up at that large gnarly tree. It was certainly moving to me capturing it when I was there. Always appreciate your feedback!
