A Light in the Black

Gallery: LandscapePosted November 28, 20121,000 views45 comments

Hi all,

From my office in Yunnan looking across at our 5500m mountain out back, Iceland suddenly feels a long time ago. I travelled on my own, occasionally meeting up with others, but mostly relishing time by myself to reflect, learn, experiment and generally have a good old time. I slept in the back of the 4x4 for 5 weeks, allowing me to "be" where I wanted to "be" in the dead of night - my favorite time for making images.

I was very fortunate with plenty of aurora while I was there, and this was another shot I had visualized even before I had left China.

I decided on Black and White as I find myself getting a little tired of classic color shots of the northern lights. Rarely do the images accurately capture the colors of emotions of the event. Also, this is a busy composition, and by stripping the garish palette away, I feel I have been able to present a more elegant and coherent composition.

I have also added a free 13 page Sample of my eBook - Seeing the Unseen - How to Photograph Landscapes at Night.

D800E 14-24/2.8

Comments

45 comments

Comment posted by Ed Cordes on November 28, 2012 at 10:58 PM

Outstanding. I like the high contrast B&W effect. It looks surreal!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 451 Posts, 3366 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Greenwood on November 28, 2012 at 11:09 PM

This is perfection. It just doesn't get any better than this. So very unique ... so very beautiful.

Registered on November 9, 2003, 229 Posts, 1523 Comments

Comment posted by Nathan Apodaca on November 28, 2012 at 11:14 PM

Wow. Definitely is unique! I love the B+W version of the landscape and northern lights.

Registered on November 16, 2011, 67 Posts, 1127 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Laureys on November 28, 2012 at 11:19 PM

Excellent!!!!

Registered on January 5, 2008, 590 Posts, 1261 Comments

Comment posted by Russell Colletta on November 28, 2012 at 11:21 PM

Stunning!!!

Registered on October 31, 2009, 114 Posts, 1008 Comments

Comment posted by Jeffrey Sipress on November 28, 2012 at 11:59 PM

This piece evokes awe, and surely is art. Tremendous execution!

Registered on February 17, 2004, 236 Posts, 1197 Comments

Comment posted by Kane Engelbert on November 29, 2012 at 12:25 AM

Very spectacular! I just love the exposure here and you did such a nice job controlling highlights. Wow.

Registered on June 14, 2009, 63 Posts, 291 Comments

Comment posted by Joseph Campisi on November 29, 2012 at 12:51 AM

Just...wow. Speechless Alister.

Registered on November 24, 2008, 304 Posts, 3211 Comments

Comment posted by Aaron Feinberg on November 29, 2012 at 4:19 AM

Seen this on a view sites and mind-blowing. Sick work Alister. All the light on the landscape from the aurora or was there some moon too?

aF

Registered on October 26, 2009, 399 Posts, 2789 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Cameron on November 29, 2012 at 4:55 AM

Stunningly beautiful silent shot Alister. Very interesting that you should also intimate your dislike of the green aura produced by the Northern Lights (I thought I was a silent minority), as it very much parallels my own. There are only so many green shots I can take. this black and white conversion still concentrates primarily on being a spectacular landscape done with finesse and quality, the northern lights as displayed here are incidental ( an understated bonus if you will ) and all the better for it.

Registered on August 6, 2004, 1125 Posts, 3318 Comments

Comment posted by Morris McClung on November 29, 2012 at 11:02 AM

A very galactic epic shot. So many elements to enjoy.

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

Comment posted by Harley Goldman on November 29, 2012 at 11:12 AM

This is a beauty, Alister. The B&W treatment is excellent.

Registered on November 19, 2003, 586 Posts, 11271 Comments

Comment posted by Roel Wijtmans on November 29, 2012 at 1:04 PM

A B+W picture of the aurora, that's interesting! And what a great picture it is, well done!

Registered on September 30, 2012, 116 Posts, 2257 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Chambers on November 29, 2012 at 1:08 PM

Wow, beautiful work Alister, as always. Love it in B&W too.

Registered on April 10, 2005, 753 Posts, 21216 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on November 29, 2012 at 1:18 PM

Very captivating image. I really like the composition. Top notch.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on November 29, 2012 at 1:39 PM

This is like a fantasy scene for an other-planetary sci-fi movie. Really big wow.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on November 29, 2012 at 2:49 PM

Alister, This is just amazing!... I love it.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI

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

Comment posted by Lon Overacker on November 29, 2012 at 3:52 PM

Ali,

This is simply phenomenal. What an incredible scene and I love that you've presented this as b&w.

Rarely do the images accurately capture the colors of emotions of the event. Also, this is a busy composition, and by stripping the garish palette away, I feel I have been able to present a more elegant and coherent composition.

I think you nailed it. You've really put a new light and impression regarding Aurora landscapes - who would have ever thought b&w because it just seems so obvious that it's about color. Of course never having witnessed this, I'm lacking the personal experience of these events, but still, kudos to you for this image. I can't say enough about this one. Congratulations!

Lon

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

Comment posted by Dean Sauskojus on November 29, 2012 at 4:39 PM

That's incredible!! Maybe even call it epic. I can't imagine what it looks like in color but I see your point. What a great photo Alister. Congrats on this one

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

Comment posted by Tom Roper on November 29, 2012 at 4:41 PM

B+W makes this feel surreal to me..just incredible

Registered on January 19, 2012, 5 Posts, 46 Comments

Comment posted by Eva McDermott on November 29, 2012 at 5:52 PM

This is magnificent Alister. A unique take on this iconic area which really makes it stand out IMO. The understated northern lights are simply gorgeous. Congratulations are in order for sure.

Registered on January 4, 2009, 1015 Posts, 13229 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Pelton on November 29, 2012 at 6:01 PM

this is enough to render one speechless....it does appeary slightly otherworldly. absolutely wonderful image.

Registered on November 25, 2003, 380 Posts, 4647 Comments

Comment posted by Stan Rose on November 29, 2012 at 7:24 PM

An aurora in B&W?!
You're crazy man...
I totally love this!

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

Comment posted by Zack Clothier on November 29, 2012 at 7:30 PM

Very cool, I don't think I've ever seen a black and white image of the aurora. I like how the waterfalls mimic the shape of the aurora and how the river curves up towards the aurora on the right hand side. I do wish there was a bit more room on the right, the aurora feels a bit cramped as is. A minor nit though, incredible shot!

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

Comment posted by Natalie Mikaels on November 29, 2012 at 10:16 PM

I love that you decided on black and white for a milky way image...so unconventional and creative, and the impact is equally, if not more, strong than a color version would be. Nice work!

Registered on November 3, 2011, 45 Posts, 181 Comments

Comment posted by Bret Edge on November 30, 2012 at 4:25 AM

Outstanding, Alister. This is so unique and lovely in every way. It's got a mystical mood about it. Just phenomenal.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 711 Posts, 6363 Comments

Comment posted by David Chauvin on November 30, 2012 at 9:52 AM

So much to explore in this seemingly alien landscape. The composition and technical execution are fantastic.

Registered on August 5, 2004, 1007 Posts, 5595 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on November 30, 2012 at 1:23 PM

Amazing capture, Alister.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Ant on November 30, 2012 at 4:43 PM

Splendid image, and the use of b&w is outstanding here... Mysterious, promising, very intriguing...

Registered on April 13, 2009, 27 Posts, 474 Comments

Comment posted by Phil Pogledich on November 30, 2012 at 4:58 PM

Thanks for posting one of the most unique and compelling shots that I've seen in a long time.

Registered on August 24, 2009, 123 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Vance Gese on November 30, 2012 at 8:18 PM

In a word, spectacular. One amazing image.

Registered on November 13, 2008, 298 Posts, 6629 Comments

Comment posted by John Mumaw on November 30, 2012 at 8:49 PM

Absolutely amazing. I could stare at this for a long, long time. One of the best images I've seen here in awhile.
And, y'know....I don't even long to see the color version one bit! That's the sign of a successful b&w image to me.

Registered on September 9, 2005, 62 Posts, 2289 Comments

Comment posted by Dietrich Gloger on December 1, 2012 at 8:42 AM

This looks magical and your choice to go bw works great. I agree with the reasoning.

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

Comment posted by Mark Metternich on December 1, 2012 at 9:52 PM

Dark and mysterious! Love it.

Registered on June 19, 2009, 276 Posts, 6240 Comments

Comment posted by Justin Richardson on December 2, 2012 at 10:51 AM

Amazing!!

Registered on November 18, 2012, 28 Posts, 134 Comments

Comment posted by Jimmy Gekas on December 3, 2012 at 11:23 PM

Ummmmm....yeah, this is amazing!

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on December 5, 2012 at 3:01 PM

Stunning image - the B&W treatment is perfect.
Congrats on the WP!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Myers on December 7, 2012 at 6:05 PM

Spectacular! Thanks for the link.

Registered on September 1, 2008, 85 Posts, 757 Comments

Comment posted by Jon Daining on December 7, 2012 at 10:42 PM

What a surreal and wonderful scene, Alister.

Registered on February 25, 2012, 25 Posts, 191 Comments

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on December 10, 2012 at 10:22 PM

Looks like a NASA image from one of Saturn's moon! Truly creative and inspiring vision. Thanks for sharing this!

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on December 14, 2012 at 10:08 PM

Hi Alister

A photographic masterpiece!!!. well deserving the WP

Albert Darmo
Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Gary McGhee on December 17, 2012 at 5:35 PM

Very other worldly. I have seen other photo's from this location but nothing comes remotely close to this Alister. Superb in every way.

Gary.

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

Comment posted by Jayne Caruso on December 23, 2012 at 12:09 AM

Wow! Beautifully done

Registered on November 17, 2004, 66 Posts, 373 Comments

Comment posted by Debbie Yarra on January 15, 2013 at 8:04 PM

Sublime! What a beautiful photograph in BW! Want to see that huge on a wall. Congrats on the WP! You deserve it.

Registered on January 1, 2012, 5 Posts, 91 Comments

Comment posted by Marsel van Oosten on January 23, 2013 at 2:40 AM

Missed this one - it's awesome.

Registered on March 9, 2004, 285 Posts, 2277 Comments