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Arctic & Aurora

Arctic landscape, Northern Lights, reindeer, huskies, skidoos frozen rivers and much much more.

February 2009. The journey commences in Tromso, our 'Gateway to the Arctic', continues via Finland culminating in our base camp, the raw landscape of Ravnastua, Karasjok. This was an epic journey, an adventure and fed us with a hostile beauty. Clear skies every evening resulted in the magical aurora dancing constantly through the freezing arctic skies. It was script written for adventure.

Enjoy the journey.
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  • This particular aurora shot was a very early display, shortly after sunset, at approx 4.30pm. It was nice because the blues in the sky are still visible which adds to the image quality. I deliberately left the cabin lights on in order to add the glow. I was also running in every half hour or so to warm up and grab a mouthful of coffee. The patterns and trails of the aurora never failed to impress me, this one almost looping around us. It was as if it knew we were watching thereby putting on a display. Olympus E3, 7-14mm - F4.5, 60s

    This particular aurora shot was a very early display, shortly after sunset, at approx 4.30pm. It was nice because the blues in the sky are still visible which adds to the image quality. I deliberately left the cabin lights on in order to add the glow. I was also running in every half hour or so to warm up and grab a mouthful of coffee. The patterns and trails of the aurora never failed to impress me, this one almost looping around us. It was as if it knew we were watching thereby putting on a display. Olympus E3, 7-14mm - F4.5, 60s

  • Aurora lines

    Aurora lines

    Aurora tram lines over arctic lodge, as featured on BBC's 'Stargazing Live' Jan 4th 2011. This is one of my favourite aurora images. The curly waves had been replaced with tram lines and at this moment in time they were immediately above us. Our location was perfect and I recall running around the camp site looking for the best composition. Not easy when it -10C, knee deep in snow and carrying all the camera gear. I eventually framed our cabin and it was a perfect catch. I was especially pleased with the clarity given that it was a 2 min long exposure. Olympus E3, 7-14mm - F4, 120s

  • Back at base camp. In order to vary the composition I shot with portrait in mind a few times. I was thinking ahead to potential magazine shots. The display was pariculary crisp and I was concentrating on 'cover shot'. This photo is iconic, my personal favourite and would easily fall into such a category. I shot with the wide angle lens, thus avoiding the barelling, and everything about the images is just right. The aurora flew right down the portrait exposure between two cabins and the stars twinkled like diamonds. It was perfect. Olympus E3, 7-14m fisheye - F4, 120s

    Back at base camp. In order to vary the composition I shot with portrait in mind a few times. I was thinking ahead to potential magazine shots. The display was pariculary crisp and I was concentrating on 'cover shot'. This photo is iconic, my personal favourite and would easily fall into such a category. I shot with the wide angle lens, thus avoiding the barelling, and everything about the images is just right. The aurora flew right down the portrait exposure between two cabins and the stars twinkled like diamonds. It was perfect. Olympus E3, 7-14m fisheye - F4, 120s

  • This second portrait exposure was taken immediately after the last. If you flick betweeen the two images quickly you will appreciate how much aurora movement occurs in just a few minutes. A testimony to the speed at which the solar particles are crashing into earth's atmosphere. It was only late afternoon, just after 5pm and the show continued till the early hours of the morning. Exhausting work, but hugely ewarding when you get results like this. Olympus E3, 7-14m fisheye - F4, 75s

    This second portrait exposure was taken immediately after the last. If you flick betweeen the two images quickly you will appreciate how much aurora movement occurs in just a few minutes. A testimony to the speed at which the solar particles are crashing into earth's atmosphere. It was only late afternoon, just after 5pm and the show continued till the early hours of the morning. Exhausting work, but hugely ewarding when you get results like this. Olympus E3, 7-14m fisheye - F4, 75s

  • View from Norwegian airspace as we approach Oslo. Lots of snow on ground in Oslo, unusually so apparently. It was -15C here. Nice & short 2 hr flight although space was designed around chicken legs. Olympus E510, 14-42mm

    View from Norwegian airspace as we approach Oslo. Lots of snow on ground in Oslo, unusually so apparently. It was -15C here. Nice & short 2 hr flight although space was designed around chicken legs. Olympus E510, 14-42mm

  • Its offiicial there is a designated route. This one in Finland.

    Its offiicial there is a designated route. This one in Finland.

  • Clear skies again at base camp. Aurora or Northern Lights came out early at 6pm as a weak glow. It slowly strengthened as the night progressed culminating in a dazzling Valentine day display. It was really ramping up now. Horizon filled display. Olympus E3, 8mm fisheye

    Clear skies again at base camp. Aurora or Northern Lights came out early at 6pm as a weak glow. It slowly strengthened as the night progressed culminating in a dazzling Valentine day display. It was really ramping up now. Horizon filled display. Olympus E3, 8mm fisheye

  • Heavy Snow

    Heavy Snow

    The drive from Tromso to Karasjok took a mammoth 7 hours. It took us through Finland and sights like this were common. The frost and snow covered trees looked stunning. I have never seen trees looking so white. Olympus E510, 14-42mm

  • Clear skies again at base camp. Aurora or Northern Lights came out early at 6pm as a weak glow. It slowly strengthened as the night progressed culminating in a dazzling Valentine day display. It was really ramping up now. Horizon filled display looking straight up. Olympus E3, 8mm fisheye

    Clear skies again at base camp. Aurora or Northern Lights came out early at 6pm as a weak glow. It slowly strengthened as the night progressed culminating in a dazzling Valentine day display. It was really ramping up now. Horizon filled display looking straight up. Olympus E3, 8mm fisheye

  • My first aurora and combined star trail shot of the trip. I got a full 2 hrs worth this time. The process - Using time lapse controller set at 15s intervals and 15s exposure time just run the camera. I added all the stills (high res JPEG) to Startrail.de software which outputs a single layered image, effecting the total time passage of the stars. The effect of earth rotating, visualised via the star trail. Very weird looking combination of both aurora and star trail this. Cool mind. Olympus E3, 7-14mm

    My first aurora and combined star trail shot of the trip. I got a full 2 hrs worth this time. The process - Using time lapse controller set at 15s intervals and 15s exposure time just run the camera. I added all the stills (high res JPEG) to Startrail.de software which outputs a single layered image, effecting the total time passage of the stars. The effect of earth rotating, visualised via the star trail. Very weird looking combination of both aurora and star trail this. Cool mind. Olympus E3, 7-14mm

  • View from Norwegian airspace as we approach Oslo. Lots of snow on ground in Oslo, unusually so apparently. It was -15C here. Nice shot of the main highway. Note its open and running! Olympus E510, 14-42mm

    View from Norwegian airspace as we approach Oslo. Lots of snow on ground in Oslo, unusually so apparently. It was -15C here. Nice shot of the main highway. Note its open and running! Olympus E510, 14-42mm

  • Me in action and almost frozen.

    Me in action and almost frozen.

  • First night in Tromso. We had clear skies, headed to a fjord away from the city and hey presto, Thor's contrails came out to play. What a great start to the trip. Olympus E3, 7-14mm

    First night in Tromso. We had clear skies, headed to a fjord away from the city and hey presto, Thor's contrails came out to play. What a great start to the trip. Olympus E3, 7-14mm

  • First night in Tromso. We had clear skies, headed to a fjord away from the city and hey presto, Thor's contrails came out to play. What a great start to the trip. Olympus E3, 7-14mm

    First night in Tromso. We had clear skies, headed to a fjord away from the city and hey presto, Thor's contrails came out to play. What a great start to the trip. Olympus E3, 7-14mm

  • First night in Tromso. We had clear skies, headed to a fjord away from the city and hey presto, Thor's contrails came out to play. Shot of Al filming. Olympus E3, 7-14mm

    First night in Tromso. We had clear skies, headed to a fjord away from the city and hey presto, Thor's contrails came out to play. Shot of Al filming. Olympus E3, 7-14mm

  • First night in Tromso. We had clear skies, headed to a fjord away from the city and hey presto, Thor's contrails came out to play. Group shot. Had to get everyone to stand still for 30sec on this one. Olympus E3, 7-14mm

    First night in Tromso. We had clear skies, headed to a fjord away from the city and hey presto, Thor's contrails came out to play. Group shot. Had to get everyone to stand still for 30sec on this one. Olympus E3, 7-14mm

  • The drive from Tromso to Karasjok took a mammoth 7 hours. It took us through Finland and sights like this were common. The frost and snow covered trees looked stunning. Olympus E510, 14-42mm

    The drive from Tromso to Karasjok took a mammoth 7 hours. It took us through Finland and sights like this were common. The frost and snow covered trees looked stunning. Olympus E510, 14-42mm

  • My first star trail shot of the trip. I only managed 40 mins worth as the batteries gave up with the cold (-30C). A few technical changes after this attempt. The process - Using time lapse controller set at 15s intervals and 15s exposure time just run the camera. I added all the stills (high res JPEG) to Startrail.de software which outputs a single layered image, effecting the total time passage of the stars. The effect of earth rotating, visualised via the star trail. Olympus E3, 7-14mm

    My first star trail shot of the trip. I only managed 40 mins worth as the batteries gave up with the cold (-30C). A few technical changes after this attempt. The process - Using time lapse controller set at 15s intervals and 15s exposure time just run the camera. I added all the stills (high res JPEG) to Startrail.de software which outputs a single layered image, effecting the total time passage of the stars. The effect of earth rotating, visualised via the star trail. Olympus E3, 7-14mm

  • The drive from Tromso to Karasjok took a mammoth 7 hours. It took us through Finland and sights like this were common. The frost and snow covered trees looked stunning. Olympus E510, 14-42mm

    The drive from Tromso to Karasjok took a mammoth 7 hours. It took us through Finland and sights like this were common. The frost and snow covered trees looked stunning. Olympus E510, 14-42mm

  • The drive from Tromso to Karasjok took a mammoth 7 hours. It took us through Finland and wandering reindeer was also common. Olympus E510, 14-42mm

    The drive from Tromso to Karasjok took a mammoth 7 hours. It took us through Finland and wandering reindeer was also common. Olympus E510, 14-42mm

  • Clear skies again on third night at base camp as the aurora came out to play again. Took this looking down on camp from nearby hill. Olympus E3, 8mm fisheye

    Clear skies again on third night at base camp as the aurora came out to play again. Took this looking down on camp from nearby hill. Olympus E3, 8mm fisheye

  • After the long 7 hr drive from Tromso we arrived just outside Karasjok. After dumping the cars at the side of the road we hopped onto the skidoos for the final leg of the journey, to base camp. Olympus E510, 14-42mm

    After the long 7 hr drive from Tromso we arrived just outside Karasjok. After dumping the cars at the side of the road we hopped onto the skidoos for the final leg of the journey, to base camp. Olympus E510, 14-42mm

  • These markers were dotted all over the plateau lining the skidoo trail. Used this one to frame the scene.

    These markers were dotted all over the plateau lining the skidoo trail. Used this one to frame the scene.

  • Yet more clear skies the aurora came out to play early again. Used the 12-60mm lens closer view on a few shots. Olympus E3

    Yet more clear skies the aurora came out to play early again. Used the 12-60mm lens closer view on a few shots. Olympus E3

  • As we arrived at base camp in Ravnastua, Karasjok, sun was fading. We were greeted by passing dog sleds. A nice start. Olympus E3, 7-14mm

    As we arrived at base camp in Ravnastua, Karasjok, sun was fading. We were greeted by passing dog sleds. A nice start. Olympus E3, 7-14mm

  • As we arrived at base camp in Ravnastua, Karasjok, sun was fading. We were greeted by passing dog sleds. A nice start. Olympus E3, 8mm fisheye

    As we arrived at base camp in Ravnastua, Karasjok, sun was fading. We were greeted by passing dog sleds. A nice start. Olympus E3, 8mm fisheye

  • Temps averaged -30C every night except the last day which peaked at -36C. This weather station in base camp proves the score. Brrrrr

    Temps averaged -30C every night except the last day which peaked at -36C. This weather station in base camp proves the score. Brrrrr

  • Clear skies again at base camp. Aurora or Northern Lights came out early at 6pm as a weak glow. It slowly strengthened as the night progressed culminating in a dazzling Valentine day display. Olympus E3, 8mm fisheye

    Clear skies again at base camp. Aurora or Northern Lights came out early at 6pm as a weak glow. It slowly strengthened as the night progressed culminating in a dazzling Valentine day display. Olympus E3, 8mm fisheye

  • Clear skies again at base camp. Aurora or Northern Lights came out early at 6pm as a weak glow. It slowly strengthened as the night progressed culminating in a dazzling Valentine day display. I frequently used various cabins to compose and vary the angles.Olympus E3, 8mm fisheye

    Clear skies again at base camp. Aurora or Northern Lights came out early at 6pm as a weak glow. It slowly strengthened as the night progressed culminating in a dazzling Valentine day display. I frequently used various cabins to compose and vary the angles.Olympus E3, 8mm fisheye

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    Me in action and almost frozen.
    First night in Tromso. We had clear skies, headed to a fjord away from the city and hey presto, Thor's contrails came out to play. What a great start to the trip. Olympus E3, 7-14mm
    First night in Tromso. We had clear skies, headed to a fjord away from the city and hey presto, Thor's contrails came out to play. What a great start to the trip. Olympus E3, 7-14mm