Shooting Northern Lights Handheld

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We drove down to my home home for the weekend and the skies really delivered some magic one evening. We were chatting with the family and drinking wine inside when dad said there are faint northern lights showing up if anyone cares. I'd say it took me 60 seconds flat to be out there with my camera.

No tripod or nothing of course, we are going freehand with this. Manual focus to infinity and then a hair back and hope for the best. Aperture 2.8, ISO 5000 and shutter speed about a third of a second. Hold your breath and let's see what happens. Camera is the trusty Nikon D750 and lens Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8.

It was -15 degrees Centigrade, two days shy of full moon, almost cloudless sky at first and pure glittering snow in the ground. The colours in the sky were quite faint mostly, but there was a few gorgeous bursts. Of course I gave these some razzle dazzle on Photoshop but considering these were taken handheld, and not with a super long shutter that could really bring out evvvvverything, I'd say this is not too shabby.

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16 comments
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Lovely photos, especially that last one. I never use a tripod. !LOL

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Thank you! Tripods are such a chore to lug around, I only use one if I shoot something at home.

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Exactly, a burden, as I take action shots as I see them, and one cannot do this with a camera screwed onto a tripod.
!PIZZA

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These are quite incredible photographs and you are lucky to be able to experience this.

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Living up north does have it’s perks :) the universe has to make up for the lack of sunlight in the winter somehow!

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Jesus, those are gorgeous :O

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I know right, it never gets old seeing northern lights, even when they are not very bright!

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Very impressive:) I guess they pay off for all the long nights!

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It’s like an abusive relationship; dark days with no end in sight, and just as you are ready to check out (and fly to the tropics) there is this magical show of beauty so you stay and hope for another one 😂

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