The Superman Bird

Gallery: LandscapePosted October 11, 2010307 views21 comments

I couldn't decide what to call this image, i was stuck between Superman and The Bird...I finally decided to use both.

The evening this picture was taken had the most spectacular Aurora Borealis show I have ever seen. I was down to 2 sec exposures at ISO 800 and f/4 and still burning the highlights on some pics! This was taken during a little more calm period at ISO1600, f/4 and 6 seconds...still quite vibrant. :)

C&C is very welcome!

Gear: Canon 5D and 17-40mm

PS: I posted a little bit bigger version as well.

Cheers
Håkon

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by Tony Kuyper on October 11, 2010 at 2:19 PM

Wow, Håkon. What a light show! I've never seen the Aurora. Truly a spectacular natural phenomenon. Nicely captured. Not sure why, but it reminds me of music.

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

Comment posted by Mike Ryan on October 11, 2010 at 4:24 PM

Wow...I'd love to see something like this in person. I'm always so envious of people who get to to see the Aurora on a constant basis. This is a very nice rendition.

Registered on June 29, 2008, 85 Posts, 636 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pederson on October 11, 2010 at 4:27 PM

I don't quite know what to say...it's an astonishing display of light.

Registered on August 12, 2010, 29 Posts, 108 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Wong on October 11, 2010 at 5:01 PM

This is amazing. I love this composition.

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

Comment posted by Roman Kurywczak on October 11, 2010 at 5:47 PM

Outstanding Hakon!!! Simply mesmerising!!!

Registered on November 20, 2009, 56 Posts, 748 Comments

Comment posted by Yan Zhang on October 11, 2010 at 6:22 PM

This is a quite special image. Though I have never been able to see such a thing, I can iminage the excitment you experienced.

Registered on April 10, 2010, 28 Posts, 292 Comments

Comment posted by Arnab Banerjee on October 11, 2010 at 7:05 PM

man...I like to see this in person. Great job having the mountain exposed so well

Registered on January 3, 2007, 313 Posts, 2270 Comments

Comment posted by Ben Horne on October 11, 2010 at 7:13 PM

I really like how there is a gradient in the sky in addition to the aurora. Most Aurora shots I see are during the full darkness of night -- resulting in a pure black sky.

When I saw the shape of this Aurora, the first thing that came to mind was a manta ray. "Arctic Manta Ray" might sound a bit odd though. :-)

Registered on August 27, 2009, 51 Posts, 959 Comments

Comment posted by Anne K. Rusk on October 11, 2010 at 9:06 PM

The shape in this image is really great and the blue sky sets it off beautifully! Such a graceful image.

Registered on October 10, 2010, 65 Posts, 904 Comments

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on October 11, 2010 at 9:14 PM

Hakon,

That truly is a spectacular aurora. Not so sure about the name though, nontheless The colors are very unique. I hope to be able to see these one day.

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

Comment posted by dean hebert on October 11, 2010 at 10:34 PM

Must have been a pleasure to witness.

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

Comment posted by Chris Chamberlain on October 11, 2010 at 10:59 PM

Really amazing thing see. I've never seen the aurora, but it's on my list.

Chris

Registered on March 13, 2007, 500 Posts, 8365 Comments

Comment posted by Michael J Greene, on October 12, 2010 at 1:05 AM

Awesome shot Hakron. Great processing and capture all around. Very strong work!

Michael

Registered on June 18, 2009, 86 Posts, 2317 Comments

Comment posted by Andrew Finlayson on October 12, 2010 at 2:45 AM

Check that out. That needs no supporting element IMO, it's just brilliant in it's own right. Well captured.

Registered on July 29, 2010, 26 Posts, 404 Comments

Comment posted by Håkon Iversen on October 12, 2010 at 2:59 AM

Thanks all for your kind comments!!

Ben Horne: Yep, I always try to include interest in the landscape/sky when taking Aurora shots. IMO that is what makes a Aurora shot stand out from the rest.

Registered on August 16, 2010, 20 Posts, 123 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on October 12, 2010 at 11:56 AM

That's an amazing display! Excellent capture of this wonderful light show.

Registered on May 7, 2007, 670 Posts, 19650 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on October 12, 2010 at 8:02 PM

Håkon,

What a phenomenal sight you were able to witness and capture. And to capture this over such a beautiful mountain range just makes this one even more special.

I too have never been privileged to seen this phenomena, maybe some day.

Thanks for sharing this!

Lon

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

Comment posted by Kah Kit Yoong on October 12, 2010 at 9:25 PM

Spectacular formation for sure. Love the colours. I have a preference for a bit more water at the bottom of the frame which seems a bit tight.

Registered on September 27, 2006, 636 Posts, 10682 Comments

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on October 12, 2010 at 10:32 PM

Dancing light. Don't remember where I heard this, but it sure fits this image. Lovely and awe inspiring! Thanks for us along for the ride.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by John Williams on October 13, 2010 at 12:56 PM

Amazing! I've never seen the Aurora Borealis; I must correct that some day.

Registered on September 6, 2007, 221 Posts, 5985 Comments

Comment posted by Max Waugh on October 13, 2010 at 2:04 PM

2 seconds exposures... that's pretty amazing.

It must have been quite a show.

The blue of the sky works wonderfully with the aurora here. Love the way the mountains contrast against the sky too.

Max

Registered on September 26, 2008, 428 Posts, 2329 Comments