Pictures of Alaska’s magical aurora borealis, or northern lights.
The pursuit of northern lights photography led me to the purchase of Canon’s 24mm 1.4L, and the following updated version II of the same lens. My comments are derived from experience with this lens in the field and are not a comprehensive review by any measure. Here is what Canon has to say about this…
I was all ready to photograph the Gemenid meteor shower last night, but clouds moved in around midnight, which was a disappointment. However, on Sunday morning, I woke up to a faint aurora display, directly over my house. I grabbed my camera and took a few experimental shots. I say experimental because I was testing…
What are the best night sky conditions in which to photograph the northern lights? It is a question that can be answered in variations, but I’ve resorted to the simplest answer…whenever the northern lights are visible! Brushing that comment aside, I really don’t think there are “best conditions”, it really depends on your interest. I’ve…
People have a keen interest in the Aurora borealis images, so I’m posting another one from my recent Arctic photo tour. We had unusually warm temperatures, and in some parts of Western Alaska, all time record high temps were set. This is usually not favorable, since the snow melts and things look pretty brown. However,…
Each October, my friend, colleague and fellow guide Hugh Rose and I lead a trip of intrepid photo enthusiasts into Alaska’s arctic to chase its magical light. The aurora borealis, polar bears, arctic wildlife and other grand landscapes prompt many shutter clicks. The sights vary every year, in an amazing diversity of subject material. However,…
Bull Muskox in blowing snow Canon 1Ds Mark III, 500mm f4.0L IS, 1/500 sec @ f7.1, ISO 400 I just returned from a week of photography in Alaska’s arctic. Surprisingly, late March and April still deliver significant sub zero temperatures in the far north, even as the sunlight rushes back at a rapid pace. I’m…
I’ve been developing a new page on my website titled “alaska photo galleries” and a section includes some flash galleries which include 100 favorites of 2008. In addition, there are favorites form previous years as well. Looking back on a year’s worth of travels and images provokes lots of memories and grand sights from across…
Place your vote (right) for the top 7 Alaska Natural Wonders. This is my first pick out of 7, more to follow. Northern Lights over the Brooks range, Alaska. Even though I’ve seen and photographed the northern lights many, many times, they never cease to amaze me. It is one subject listed under the 7…
Patrick is currently in the far north chasing the Aurora Borealis, or northern lights. He has with him an arsenal of equipment, not so much because such a variety is needed, but because there is no perfect aurora lens. The search for such a lens continues, and perhaps Canon’s new version of their 24mm F/1.4…
Aurora borealis over the Brooks range, arctic Alaska. April 2008 Northern lights over mount Dillon, Brooks range, Alaska. April 2008 I recently returned from the Brooks range where I ventured yet again for some photography of the northern lights. Amidst some very snowy weather, I was fortunate to eek out proper timing that delivered some…