Matt Moses  


South Dakota Aurora by Matt Moses

November 2023 - South Dakota Aurora

About the Image(s)

While visiting my parents in Pierre, South Dakota I happened to get aurora alerts. I headed outside and I could see the faint glow with my eyes. I got the camera all dialed in and this is one of the captures from that display.

Tech:
ISO 6400
5 sec @ F/2.8
14mm on Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S
Nikon Z9

Editing:
Adjusted white and blacks
increased exposure and shadows
applied dehaze
finished in Topaz Photo AI to remove camera noise from this night photo


This round’s discussion is now closed!
5 comments posted




Butch Mazzuca   Butch Mazzuca
(Groups 7 & 73 & 97)
I've always wanted to see the Aurora Borealis, so good for you that you were able to capture the night sky - colors are just sensational.   Posted: 11/11/2023 14:09:54



Zina Mirsky   Zina Mirsky
I love to see Aurora anytime and anyplace and am glad that your alerts put you in the right time and place to capture this. Your technical details and editing process clarify a good formula for success, thank you.   Posted: 11/12/2023 17:10:51



Lori Azevedo   Lori Azevedo
No hope for us in Central CA to ever see one. Hope when I head north I will be lucky enough. This is the reason we always bring a camera. Is that a jeep in the foreground? I'm a jeep girl.   Posted: 11/12/2023 17:23:39



Alec Chester   Alec Chester
I have never seen Aurora Borealis, and really appreciate this photo. The colors and stars are beautiful. I even like the shack in the shadows.   Posted: 11/14/2023 22:39:42



Rick Taft   Rick Taft
Matt,
OK...to make it 100%, I have not yet seen the Aurora either. I have seen a wide range of different photographs of it over the years, some with a pretty wild display, others more subtle and nuanced, like yours. Personally, I think the subtle/nuanced ones are harder to pull off. As for yours (which I think you did pull off):

I really like your composition and the subtlety of the colors, the fairly distinct color bands. I think the silhouette of the shack and the trees really make the shot and pull attention toward the center. Great job of framing it...I think the shot would be significantly less impactful without them. People could argue for ever about how to crop a shot like this..whether you have too much of the blue up top, whether you might crop in closer on the shack or trees, etc. I would argue you got it just about right...very nice balance, a very peaceful setting. Nice job.

  Posted: 11/18/2023 16:10:51