Northern Lights - Aurora Borealis
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Photos copyright® Bill Hutchinson,
The Kenai Peninsula Eagle PresS™
907-262-5256 262-6767
These photos were taken in Soldotna, Alaska 60 degrees north latitude and near Circle City, Alaska 65 degrees north latitude. Temperatures in Circle were near -50f.
Successfully photographing the aurora is a matter of detailed preparation and good luck. Aside from the camera equipment, you'll need: dark skies, warm clothes and plenty of hot beverages.
Equipment: Sturdy tripod, 400 speed film, spare batteries, a 2.8 aperture lens and some sort of timer or cable release. For those fortunate enough to own a 2.0 or 1.4 aperture lens, substitute 200 or 100 ISO films respectively.
For best results exposures should be timed between 15 to 30 seconds depending on the intensity of the aurora. Experiment to determine what works best. Shoot several exposures at varying lengths of time for each opportunity.
The aurora can last several hours or for only minutes. Be prepared. The show may be over just as quickly as it appeared.
When returning to your car or home with cold equipment it is best to wrap the gear in a plastic bag so it can warm up without being damaged by condensation.
Good Luck.
Take this link to aurora photos by my brother, Dick Hutchinson