Aurora in Skittendalen

Gallery: LandscapePosted December 22, 2010595 views36 comments

One last post before x-mas sets in for real..

This is a shot from the beginning of april this year. Havent posted it anywhere until now, but i thought it was about time since it`s one of my own favourites...

When posting a shot on ze great internet it`s not always obvious to the viewer to see what lies behind each shot. You can see a brilliant shot of a glorious landscape and not knowing that theres a parking lot 10 feet away from the photographer. It really doesnt matter since it comes down to the photographic result, right?

But i cant help it...i find more joy in shooting way out in the wilderness. Some of my best shots are shot near civilization, so theres no connection between quality and remoteness, but still...i find so much more joy in shooting in remote places.

This one is shot in a remote place. But i have to admit i "cheated" a little. I was able to convince some crazy dude to drive me to this spot on a snowmobile. It was 2 hours of completely insane driving and at one point i was pretty sure i wouldnt make it up here in one piece. So when i stood in this spot i was just happy to be alive...

The aurora started out quiet and gently. The temperatures were around -20 degrees celsius. I knew exactly how i wanted to compose. I had known for a very long time, since this was a shot i had visioned a thousand times in my head. The river in the foreground and the Skittendalen Peaks in the back. These peaks are the highest peaks in this region and of great personal value for me since i have spent countless days in this area. Now all i had to do was wait... The aurora was getting more and more vivid and every now and then it would explode. But not in the right directions. So i pulled of a bunch of shots in every other direction and when it finally decided to show up exactly where i wanted it...i got the shot i had visioned.

The river diagonally in the foreground and the aurora in the same way in the sky...

I wish you all a nice and peaceful christmas! I`m glad i found this community with all these amazing and inspiring contributors.

Take care!

-Arild-

EXIF:
canon 5d & 17-40mmL
17mm
iso 800
f4
20 sec

Comments

36 comments

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on December 22, 2010 at 4:54 AM

Stunning comp Arild, I have really enjoyed all of your aurora shots lately. I really like the diagonals of the river and the aurora here. Processing looks great and the stars really set it off.

Registered on January 28, 2010, 343 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Jorne de Bruin on December 22, 2010 at 5:31 AM

Superb composition here Arild! The river in the fg mirrors the Aurora very nicely, and the snow covered mountains and starry sky are very nice extra's, lovely image!

Registered on June 26, 2008, 178 Posts, 2136 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Jenkins on December 22, 2010 at 6:09 AM

Great shot Arild. And great story along with it. Thanks for sharing. I share your appreciation for NPN. I would like to know the stats on this photo if you can, especially the shutter speed. Thanks.

Registered on April 20, 2008, 307 Posts, 604 Comments

Comment posted by Arild Heitmann on December 22, 2010 at 6:25 AM

thx folks....

exif is now in the description...

Registered on October 13, 2010, 27 Posts, 378 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Baumbach on December 22, 2010 at 8:04 AM

Beautiful image. It must have been something to witness this.

- Dan.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 473 Posts, 7980 Comments

Comment posted by Darren Huski on December 22, 2010 at 8:12 AM

Great image and fantastic back story. We all really need to do more of this.

Registered on August 17, 2008, 61 Posts, 340 Comments

Comment posted by Winnie Ho on December 22, 2010 at 8:48 AM

Yes I like the river of light in the sky. Awesome image and story behind it, thanks for sharing.

Registered on January 6, 2008, 93 Posts, 1788 Comments

Comment posted by Guy Tal on December 22, 2010 at 9:25 AM

Beautiful image, Arild! I like the way the sky and foreground are balanced and of course the aurora is spectacular.

Guy

Registered on November 1, 2003, 566 Posts, 15507 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on December 22, 2010 at 9:29 AM

Another beautiful image of the Aurora. Loved your story. Not sure I see why you think you "cheated" on this one getting this via snowmobile. We all get to locations using many forms of transportation that don't include just our feet.

As you said, it is the image that counts, and this image is another fantastic one.

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Miles Morgan on December 22, 2010 at 10:26 AM

You realize, of course, that I'm going to have to fly all the way over there to punch you in the face don't you?

Freaking rad dude. I hate you.

Registered on November 23, 2009, 6 Posts, 185 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Lou on December 22, 2010 at 11:00 AM

Thanks for sharing the story behind this wonderful photo.

Registered on August 3, 2010, 86 Posts, 273 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel Ewert on December 22, 2010 at 11:04 AM

Arild, I have always been mesmerized by these scenes but they always seemed to miss nice foreground and midground elements. You have done an outstanding job going the extra mile to complete the scene. Well done!

Registered on June 2, 2009, 103 Posts, 1500 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on December 22, 2010 at 11:11 AM

Beautiful and Amazing. Nice story along with this fantastic image, Arild.
Merry Christmas to you and yours also.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Roane on December 22, 2010 at 12:18 PM

spectacular shot! congrats on pulling off a great image and one you were hoping for

Registered on December 12, 2008, 213 Posts, 2226 Comments

Comment posted by dean hebert on December 22, 2010 at 1:09 PM

Beautifully done!

Registered on August 4, 2010, 70 Posts, 1132 Comments

Comment posted by Reno DiTullio on December 22, 2010 at 1:20 PM

Excellent

Registered on November 14, 2003, 130 Posts, 1644 Comments

Comment posted by SimonRumford on December 22, 2010 at 1:38 PM

excellent shot

Registered on June 25, 2010, 28 Posts, 80 Comments

Comment posted by Kevin Trinkner on December 22, 2010 at 2:24 PM

Beautiful shot, well planned and executed. Looks like an incredible lightshow.

Registered on June 30, 2008, 203 Posts, 2641 Comments

Comment posted by Jason Kim on December 22, 2010 at 2:31 PM

Gorgeous aurora! Very nicely composed, also.

Registered on July 1, 2006, 60 Posts, 1233 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on December 22, 2010 at 3:17 PM

Sounds like a great adventure Arild, well worth it. The shot is excellent.

Gary.

Registered on April 15, 2010, 142 Posts, 2416 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Lichtman on December 22, 2010 at 3:55 PM

Inspiring shot and story. I might like the image darkened a little or maybe a cooler white balance to simulate the night time, or does it really get this bright with the aurora? Haven't had the opportunity to see them yet.

Registered on September 17, 2010, 304 Posts, 3507 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Stough on December 22, 2010 at 4:22 PM

Wonderfully seen and captured Arild.

Registered on November 20, 2010, 26 Posts, 273 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on December 22, 2010 at 4:23 PM

Great photograph Arild. Must have been a great ride on the snowmobile to this spot. And then this light show. The great thing about this is indeed the wild and pristine nature an the total silence. Composition is very strong too.

Registered on January 26, 2007, 360 Posts, 9876 Comments

Comment posted by Arild Heitmann on December 22, 2010 at 4:52 PM

thx a lot folks!

Harry...it was quite bright. It was not completely nightime yet..behind me i actually had some faint sunsetglow. And on nights like this, with really intense aurora, it really makes everything brighter...

But the landscape is a little brighter on photo than in reality...thats how i like my nightshots :-)

Registered on October 13, 2010, 27 Posts, 378 Comments

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on December 22, 2010 at 5:48 PM

This must be something incredible to witness and I would be jumping up and down as a photographer to photograph it. Nicely done once again Arild. Congrats on the cover. Merry Christmas.

Registered on September 29, 2009, 137 Posts, 2659 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Wong on December 22, 2010 at 6:29 PM

Amazing shot. Good thing you didn't suffer from frostbite getting this!

Registered on February 2, 2006, 79 Posts, 2629 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on December 22, 2010 at 7:11 PM

Beautiful--i think i like this more than your 'cover' shot!

Registered on September 15, 2005, 836 Posts, 17099 Comments

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on December 22, 2010 at 8:20 PM

Another really beautiful aurora image. Is the foreground light all coming from the aurora?

Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on December 22, 2010 at 9:59 PM

Fabulous!

Registered on November 24, 2008, 56 Posts, 492 Comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on December 22, 2010 at 10:39 PM

Your images are incredible, Arild. That is simply an amazing aurora . . . and the start make it perfect.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 364 Posts, 22328 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on December 22, 2010 at 11:32 PM

Arild,

Another killer aurora image. This one is fabulous; an outstanding capture of such a spectacular, natural phenomena!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours as well!

Lon

Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on December 23, 2010 at 1:32 AM

AWESOME! I do believe I like this even more than your shot of the month. Amazing and mesmerizing.

Registered on July 26, 2007, 244 Posts, 2807 Comments

Comment posted by John Fan on December 23, 2010 at 11:16 AM

That is a shot of life time!

Registered on August 24, 2010, 135 Posts, 489 Comments

Comment posted by Dorin Bofan on December 23, 2010 at 2:47 PM

Arild, your shots never cease to amaze me! The best of this kind by far! Happy holidays!

Registered on April 30, 2007, 122 Posts, 3086 Comments

Comment posted by Bruce Omori on December 23, 2010 at 3:04 PM

Arild,

Beautiful shot and wonderful story behind it too!! Love the composition and colors. Amazing stuff!!

Happy holidays to you!