Interesting to see how these photos have improved since my first attempts capturing the Aurora Borealis. Sure, the equipment had a factor in that (Canon EOS400D and 18-55mm kit lens for the first go), but capturing the northern lights is a good test of your camera craft and control. Very little is actually visible to the naked eye, especially if you're constantly looking into a viewfinder and your eyes never get a proper chance to adjust to the dark.
Then again nowadays, just fire off a few on your smartphone and let the in-built algorithm crank everything up to eleven and Borealis is your uncle.
Aurora Borealis - 27th February 2014. These were the first attempts I had at capturing the Aurora Borealis. I had a bit to learn.
Aurora Borealis - 27th February 2014. These were the first attempts I had at capturing the Aurora Borealis. I had a bit to learn.
Aurora Borealis - 27th February 2014. These were the first attempts I had at capturing the Aurora Borealis. I had a bit to learn.
When the Aurora appeared again in March 2016 I had a bit better an idea of what to do. And I started pointing at the sky as is a requirement of any aurora spotter.
Aurora - 01 Mar 2017 - Similar spot that I'd been to before. Wasn't venturing out to other popular spots locally as they were becoming a bit congested with keen photographers
Aurora - 10 May 2024. This was when things started to become confusing. The northern lights appeared to the East on this night...
Aurora - 10 May 2024. And this is looking south east
Aurora - 10 May 2024. Whilst I'd set up expecting them to appear over the hills to the north, these big flowing curtains were manifesting themselves behind me to the south.
Aurora - 10 May 2024. From where I was in central Scotland, this bright display looked to be over the Firth of Forth out to the east.
Aurora - 10 May 2024. That's me, not pointing at the sky this time.
Aurora - 10 May 2024. The spot I started at began to get a bit busy so I wandered off. This is the 'Auld Brig' over the River Devon to the west of Tullibody
Aurora - 10 May 2024 - The last Alloa to Glasgow train adds some scale and perspective here.
Aurora - 10 May 2024 - the central corona was positioned a lot further south than I was expecting
Aurora - 10 May 2024 - Headed down to a favourite spot on the River Forth - 'The Shore' - at the old Alloa harbour
Aurora - 10 May 2024 - stood here for another hour or so and watched the lights dance over the River Forth and over the skyline of Stirling in the distance
Aurora - 10 May 2024 - stood here for another hour or so and watched the lights dance over the River Forth and over the skyline of Stirling in the distance
Aurora - 11 May 2024 - past midnight as I headed home. The local pond and the residents swans paid little attention to any of the overhead display going on, much more concerned with the eggs on their nest.
Alloa Aurora - 10 Oct 2024 - Another fine display on this cooler autumnal night
Alloa Aurora - 10 Oct 2024 - Another fine display on this cooler autumnal night
Alloa Aurora - 10 Oct 2024 - Another fine display on this cooler autumnal night
Alloa Aurora - 10 Oct 2024 - Another fine display on this cooler autumnal night
Alloa Aurora - 10 Oct 2024 - Another fine display on this cooler autumnal night
Alloa Aurora - 10 Oct 2024 - again down on the River Forth, and the sheets of green just kept on going
Alloa Aurora - 10 Oct 2024 - the aurora even managed to outshine the heavily illuminated heavy industry downstream at Grangemouth
Alloa Aurora - 10 Oct 2024 - the aurora even managed to outshine the heavily illuminated heavy industry downstream at Grangemouth, and cycled from green to red at this point
Alloa Aurora - 10 Oct 2024 - a constant change of colour as the activity moved from east to south...
Alloa Aurora - 10 Oct 2024 - and then changed again as it all headed west over towards Stirling
Alloa Aurora - 10 Oct 2024 - and then changed again as it all headed west over towards Stirling
Aurora - 10 May 2024. This is looking almost 180˚ in the opposite direction form where I stood here and took the first shot in this collection, over 10 years prior to this. This panoramic stitch of 4 wide angle images captures the display as it stretches from the east of Scotland to the west, filling the sky and the SD cards of hundreds of photographers out and about this night.
