The First Nipper Sunrise of the Year | 01.02.2025

 

The First Nipper Sunrise of the Year | 01.02.2025
Albany, New York 

© 2025 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com
All Rights Reserved   

New Year's Day

It was a good day to get out and chase some history. I spent some time with Robert Frost—his epitaph reading, “I had a lover’s quarrel with the world,” a sentiment as timeless as The Road Not Taken, where the less-traveled path made all the difference.

Robert Frost (1874–1963) was one of America’s most celebrated poets, revered for his realistic depictions of rural life and his ability to use New England settings to delve into profound social and philosophical themes. A four-time Pulitzer Prize winner, Frost crafted iconic works such as The Road Not Taken, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, and Mending Wall. His poetry, distinguished by its conversational tone, masterful use of meter, and deep reflections on nature and human struggles, remains a cornerstone of American literature. Frost is often celebrated for offering insights into life’s complexities that are both profound and accessible.

Walking through the Old Bennington Cemetery, it’s hard not to be moved by the history etched into its weathered stones, especially the patriots who rest here—heroes whose sacrifices shaped the course of the American Revolution.

© 2025 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com

All Rights Reserved   

Sun Detail | 12.31.2024

Sun Detail | 12.31.2024

The sunspots you see are dark, cooler regions on the Sun’s surface caused by intense magnetic activity. They vary significantly in size, typically ranging from about 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) to 50,000 kilometers (31,068 miles) in diameter. To put this into perspective, many sunspots are as large as Earth, which has a diameter of approximately 12,742 kilometers (7,918 miles). Some sunspots can grow even larger; for instance, the largest sunspot ever recorded, AR 14886, was nearly the diameter of Jupiter—about 88,846 miles (142,984 kilometers).
Sunspots expand and contract as they move across the Sun’s surface and can last from several days to a few months. Their size and frequency fluctuate in an approximately 11-year cycle known as the solar cycle, with more and larger sunspots appearing during periods of increased solar activity.

It’s important to note that while sunspots appear dark compared to the surrounding solar surface, they are still extremely bright. If isolated from the Sun, a sunspot would shine brighter than the full Moon. © 2025 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com

All Rights Reserved 

Happy New Year!

As we say goodbye to 2024 and welcome 2025, I want to thank each of you for your support and engagement with my photo and historical projects. Whether this year was challenging or rewarding, we’ve made it through together.

Wishing you all a joyful and inspiring New Year!

© 2025 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com

All Rights Reserved 

Sunrise in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve | 12.28.2024

Sunrise in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve | 12.28.2024
Albany, New York 

© 2025 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com

All Rights Reserved 

John Bulmer Partners with National Sawdust for "Dark Sky: A Night of Music and Imagery"

John Bulmer Partners with National Sawdust for "Dark Sky: A Night of Music and Imagery"

Brooklyn, NY – December 24, 2024 – Photographer and DarkSky International Delegate John Bulmer is thrilled to announce his partnership with National Sawdust, one of New York’s premier performance spaces, to present Dark Sky: Music by Kaija Saariaho, Caroline Shaw, Andrew Yee, & More. The event, scheduled for February 12, 2025, will blend celestial photography and world-class music in an unforgettable celebration of art and conservation.

The NS+ program, hosted by Elena Park, will also feature Yee performing their own work and Allen on piano, as well as readings and poetry. The evening, showcasing photography by DarkSky International Delegate John Bulmer, will focus on the critical preservation of the night sky, exploring local and global efforts to reduce light pollution and protect animals, humans, and the environment.

Bulmer’s night sky photography will be projected in large format across the performance space, creating an immersive visual backdrop for a star-studded lineup of performers, including Grammy-winning cellist Andrew Yee, soprano Susanna Phillips, and the innovative Fourth Wall Ensemble, led by Christopher Allen. The program will also feature readings and poetry, all centered on the critical need to preserve the night sky and combat light pollution.

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunities that art has afforded me to collaborate and connect with others,” said Bulmer. “Preserving the night sky is not only about beauty—it’s about safeguarding an essential part of our natural world for future generations. Working with National Sawdust and these extraordinary artists gives me a platform to inspire change through the intersection of art and advocacy. I hope this evening will move audiences to appreciate and protect the fragile beauty of our dark skies.”

The event is part of National Sawdust+’s For Nature series, which explores the interplay between the natural world and human creativity. Hosted by Elena Park, the evening promises a unique blend of music, imagery, and conversation designed to inspire and educate audiences about the importance of environmental conservation.

Tickets for Dark Sky: A Night of Music and Imagery are available at National Sawdust’s website.

For press inquiries, please contact:
John Bulmer Photography
www.bulmerphotography.com/contact

About John Bulmer
John Bulmer is a New York-based photographer and DarkSky International Delegate dedicated to raising awareness about light pollution through photography and education. His work has been featured in The New York Times and numerous other publications.

About National Sawdust
Located in Brooklyn, National Sawdust is a leading performance space dedicated to fostering innovation in music and the arts. Its For Nature series highlights the intersection of creativity and environmental stewardship.

Event Details
Dark Sky: Music by Kaija Saariaho, Caroline Shaw, Andrew Yee, & More
Date: February 12, 2025
Time: Doors at 6:30 PM | Performance at 7:30 PM
Location: National Sawdust, 80 North 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY
Tickets: www.nationalsawdust.org
Event page: https://ci.ovationtix.com/36490/production/1225296

Join us for an inspiring night of music, imagery, and conversation under the stars.

A Bald Eagle Watches the Sunrise Over the Port of Albany | 12.24.2024

 A Bald Eagle Watches the Sunrise Over the Port of Albany | 12.24.2024
Albany, New York 

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com

All Rights Reserved 

Marcy Dam and Mount Colden | 12.15.2024

Marcy Dam and Mount Colden | 12.15.2024
High Peaks Wilderness, Adirondacks 

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com

All Rights Reserved 

Scratches Across the Night Sky | 12.14.2024

Scratches Across The Night Sky
Peak Geminids, December 14, 2024
Saratoga County, New York

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com

All Rights Reserved 

New York State Capitol Holiday Lights | 12.10.2024

New York State Capitol Holiday Lights | 12.10.2024
Albany, New York  

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com

All Rights Reserved 

The Holiday Season in Albany, New York | 12.08.2024

The Holiday Season in Albany, New York | 12.08.2024
New York State Capitol and Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com

All Rights Reserved. 

Fresh Snow on Geyser Creek | 12.08.2024

Fresh Snow on Geyser Creek | 12.08.2024
Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs, New York

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com

All Rights Reserved 

Squalls Over the Southern Adirondacks | 12.03.2024

Squalls Over the Southern Adirondacks | 12.03.2024
Lake George, New York 

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com
All Rights Reserved

Palace Theater in the Rain | 11.26.2024

Palace Theater in the Rain | 11.26.2024
Albany, New York

Note: Long exposure of the Palace Theater’s marquee illuminating the corner of Clinton and North Pearl Streets on an overcast morning. Rain softens the scene, casting halos around the glowing lights.

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com
All Rights Reserved

State Street Rain | 10.26.2024

 

State Street Rain | 11.26.2024
Albany, New York 

Note: Rain isn’t the absence of color; it’s the paintbrush that draws with existing light.

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com
All Rights Reserved

Grotesque Ruin | 11.15.2024

Grotesque Ruin | 11.15.2024

Saratoga,New York

 
Image captured with a 60-year-old Nikon film camera.

 
We often overlook the layers of history beneath our feet, whether in the contours of the natural landscape or the patterns of the built environment. The present is our frame of reference, but historic photos and ruins invite us to step outside that view. Photos freeze moments, offering glimpses of the past, while ruins provide a tangible link—a physical anchor where memory and imagination can take root.

For the past year, I’ve been documenting the ruins scattered throughout Upstate New York, much of it on pubic park land, piecing together a master map of these forgotten sites. Like all parks, their trails and vistas rest on the foundation of someone else’s history—stories that have faded from the land and the records that once preserved them. Much like modern streets often trace ancient streambeds or trails, these landscapes are shaped by layers of forgotten lives. Each discovery feels like uncovering a fragment of a larger, unseen puzzle.

This image captures one of the most enigmatic finds I’ve encountered: a brick pillar topped with a ferocious grotesque. Unlike other ruins, there are no property records to provide clues, nor nearby remnants to suggest a larger story. Grotesques, traditionally guardians, were crafted to ward off evil spirits. This one, with its fierce, menacing expression, seems almost alive as if it still stands vigil over something significant. Its weathered face adds to its mystique—one of its sharp fangs is missing, leaving a jagged gap that heightens its feral, defiant aura.

But what does it guard? Deep in the quiet woods of Spa State Park, far from any grand buildings, it feels out of place and steeped in mystery. Was it part of a forgotten estate, a private retreat, or a monument to something older, now erased by time? Its presence defies explanation, its gaze frozen in a perpetual warning. Even as time and nature reclaim the forest, this gargoyle remains—a relic of defiance and protection, guarding secrets only it knows.

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com
All Rights Reserved

The Spirit pf Life | Vintagraphic Image

The Spirit of Life (Vintagraphic)

Congress Park, Saratoga Springs, New York 

Note: I’m fascinated by traditional photography methods and how they can merge with modern technology. Since the summer, I’ve been experimenting with a process I call “Vintagraphic.” It begins with a traditional large-format image that’s digitized and hand-colored—much like my work in historical restorations. The result is a dreamy, atmospheric image with unique color, bokeh, and depth of field, blending the best of past and present techniques. I own the domain and plan to create a series that channels the epic photography of the past, capturing iconic modern landscapes from the region.

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com
All Rights Reserved

Wildfire Sunset | 11.10.2024

Wildfire Sunset | 11.10.2024
Note: A wildfire-tinted sun sets behind the American flag at the state capitol on the smokiest day I have ever photographed.

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com
All Rights Reserved

Wildfire Skies | 11.10.2024

Wildfire Skies | 11.10.2024 

Various Locations, Captial District

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com
All Rights Reserved

 

Sunrise After the Election | 11.06.2024

Sunrise After the Election | 11.06.202
Saratoga, New York

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com
All Rights Reserved

Architectural Detail and Morning Light, The Egg | 11.05.2024

Architectural Detail and Morning Light, The Egg | 11.05.2024
Albany, New York

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com
All Rights Reserved

Valley Acres | 10.27.2024

Valley Acres | 10.27.2024
Saratoga Springs, New York 

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com
All Rights Reserved

The West Albany Yard: The Birthplace of the Legendary No. 999.

The West Albany Rail Yard, tucked between the interstate and warehouses just west of downtown, hums to life at 5 AM as the first light paints the tops of Albany’s buildings. The smooth, frictionless whir of the highway’s few early travelers blends with the low idle of trains and the sounds of the surrounding neighborhood, creating a white noise layered with a million small sounds. Once a major hub for New York City’s railroad maintenance, the yard now sees shipments of corn syrup, paper, and lumber and is the starting point for the Troy and Rensselaer locals—smaller trains feeding industries across the Hudson. 

Yet, at this hour, you would never guess this yard birthed a legend. Here, in 1893, the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad No. 999 was built at the West Albany Shops, where it would soon claim the world speed record as the first locomotive to surpass 100 miles per hour on the Empire State Express. This Albany-built 4-4-0 “American” type, with its towering 86-inch wheels and sleek black-and-white finish, symbolized the New York Central Railroad’s ambitions and secured Albany’s place in railroad history. 

By dawn, the Corning Tower’s aircraft beacon pulses in the distance, marking time in steady three-second intervals as bakers in culinary whites emerge to begin the day’s bread in the vast bakeries at the yard’s southern boundary. If you’ve ever spent a morning near the yard, you know the fragrance—a wonderful warmth that hangs in the cold air, especially on a cold morning.

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com
All Rights Reserved

The Woodland Giant | 10.25.2024

The Woodland Giant | 10.25.2024
Grafton Lakes State Park

This is one of my favorite trees on the Rensselaer Plateau. I’ve nicknamed it the Woodland Giant. A towering, double-trunked red maple, it evokes the feeling of standing at the feet of a giant, especially at night under the Plateau's Bortle Class 4 sky. In places like Grafton Lakes State Park, this “Rural/Suburban Transition” sky has moderate darkness with some light pollution along the horizon. The Milky Way remains visible, though softened, and fainter stars and deep-sky objects still shine through, making it a subtly illuminated setting for stargazing.

But the night sky we see now is not the sky of our parents' youth, or even our own. Each year, stars disappear, claimed by unshielded lights and expanding cities. As more residential developments rise in the surrounding counties, the sky could soon be reclassified as Bortle Class 5—a “Suburban Sky” where light pollution dims the Milky Way and mutes fainter stars and deep-sky objects, gradually altering our connection to the night, making it harder for us to witness auroras, comets, the galactic core, and meteor showers.

Standing before the Woodland Giant, I’m reminded of the walking trees of mythology, like the Ents of Middle Earth—ancient guardians of the forest, protectors of the night sky and the wild lands. These mythical trees, wise and rooted yet capable of movement, evoke our deep, age-old ties to the natural world, urging us to protect the skies and forests they once watched over.

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com
All Rights Reserved

Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Final Image | 10.19.2024

Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Final Image | 10.19.2024

Stacked multiple images of Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, captured through both a traditional camera and a telescope. By layering these images, I enhanced the detail and dynamic range, revealing the comet’s faint tail and bright core with clarity that a single exposure could not achieve. This technique brings out the intricate structure and beauty of the comet as it fades from view in the western sky.

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com
All Rights Reserved

Milky Way Over Dickinson Fire Tower | 10.18.2024

Milky Way Over Dickinson Fire Tower | 10.18.2024

The galactic core of the Milky Way rises over the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower in Grafton, New York. I added a red light illuminating the lookout cab for added contrast.

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com
All Rights Reserved

Tomhannock Golden Hour | 10.17.2024

Tomhannock Golden Hour | 10.17.2024
Tomhannock Reservoir, Pittstown, New York 

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com
All Rights Reserved

Ancient Ice in the October Sky | 10.14.2024

Ancient Ice in the October Sky | 10.14.2024

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) last night as it neared its closest approach to Earth. This rare sky visitor, visible throughout October, won’t return for another 80,000 years.

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com
All Rights Reserved

Auroras | 10.10.2024

Auroras | 10.10.2024

Washington County, New York

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
www.bulmerphotography.com
www.johnbulmermedia.com
www.noreasterfilms.com
All Rights Reserved

 

Practical Tips for Aurora Photography

Note: I’ve put together some practical tips for DSLR, mirrorless, and smartphone users to help you better understand the process of shooting the Northern Lights. In addition, I’ve included some useful forecasting tools to help you track aurora activity, so you know when the best viewing opportunities will occur. You’ll also find some pro tips (marked in red) that have helped me when I’m scrambling to set up in the dark to shoot the night sky.

Practical Tips for Aurora Photography By John Bulmer, John Bulmer Photography 

There’s something truly magical about witnessing the Northern Lights. It’s one of those bucket-list moments—watching the sky dance with vibrant green, purple, and red streaks. If you're lucky enough to see the aurora, you'll want to capture that memory forever. However, photographing the Northern Lights isn’t as simple as pointing your camera at the sky and snapping a picture. But don’t worry, this guide will help you turn that awe-inspiring experience into beautiful, frame-worthy photos.

Whether you’re using a DSLR, a mirrorless camera, or even your smartphone, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from forecasting the aurora to camera settings and even tips on focusing in the dark.

➡️ How to Predict the Northern Lights: Forecasting Tools

First things first—seeing the Northern Lights requires a bit of luck and some good timing. Fortunately, there are a few tools to help you know when and where you might catch them.

➡️ Best Tools for Northern Lights Forecasting:

Aurora Forecast App (iOS & Android): This app provides real-time updates and a KP index that indicates the likelihood of aurora activity. If the KP index is 4 or higher, you're in for a good chance!

NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center: This site gives accurate, real-time geomagnetic activity data. If you’re planning a night out, check their 30-minute and 3-day aurora forecasts.

SpaceWeatherLive: This website monitors solar wind and geomagnetic data to predict auroras. It's a more detailed tool for those who want to dig into the science behind the lights.

🔴 Pro Tip:
Clear skies matter just as much as aurora activity. Even with a high KP index, you won’t see anything through heavy cloud cover. So, always check a weather app for clear skies before you go.

Camera Settings for Perfect Northern Lights Photos

Now let’s dive into camera settings. The key to photographing the Northern Lights is allowing enough light into your camera's sensor without overexposing the image. Night photography takes some experimentation, but here are some go-to settings to get you started:

Basic Camera Settings:

Mode: Switch your camera to Manual Mode (M). This gives you complete control over the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, which are all critical for night photography.

Aperture (f-stop): Set your aperture to the widest possible setting, like /2.8 or lower. The lower the f-stop, the more light your camera can collect. If your lens doesn't go that low, set it as low as possible.

Shutter Speed: This will vary depending on how active the aurora is. Start with a shutter speed of 5 to 25 seconds. A longer exposure will capture more light, but if the aurora is moving fast, shorter exposures will help you freeze that motion. Remember, longer exposures will blur sky motion and any movement in the frame, like trees.

ISO: Set your ISO between 800 to 3200. Higher ISOs allow your camera to capture more light but watch out for noise (graininess). Test different ISOs and adjust based on how bright the aurora is. For list night's images, I shot ISO 400 and was just fine.

White Balance: Use a white balance of around 3500K. This gives your image a more natural color, but feel free to experiment if you want different results. If you're shooting in RAW format, you can easily adjust this later.

Why Shoot in RAW?

Shooting in RAW preserves a ton of detail that would otherwise be lost in JPEG. This gives you more flexibility when you edit later, especially when it comes to adjusting exposure, contrast, and color balance.

🔴 Pro Tip:
Use a sturdy tripod. The long exposure times mean any movement (even slight hand shakes) will blur the image. A tripod ensures that your camera stays steady during the exposure.

Focusing in the Dark: The Infinity Focus Trick

One of the most frustrating parts of night photography is getting your camera to focus. In the darkness, autofocus often hunts around or misses the target completely, leaving your photos blurry. Here’s a pro tip that will make things a whole lot easier:

How to Pre-Focus Your Camera to Infinity:

1. Do it during the day. In daylight, switch your camera to manual focus.
2. Focus on something really far away—like a mountain, a distant building, or even a cloud on the horizon.
3. Adjust your focus ring until the distant object is as sharp as possible. This is your infinity focus.
4. Lock in your focus: Mark this spot on your lens using a small piece of tape or a pencil mark. This way, when it’s dark, you can turn your focus ring to that exact point and be ready to shoot. I have even locked the focus ring with blue painter's tape. It saves so much time on-site.
5. Once night falls, manually set your lens to this spot, and don’t touch the focus again. This will ensure that your stars and aurora are crisp and sharp.

🔴 Pro Tip:
If you're out in the field and haven’t pre-focused your lens, you can use the moon, a bright star, or a distant streetlight to help manually focus at night.

Capturing the Northern Lights with Your Smartphone

If you don’t have a DSLR or mirrorless camera, don’t fret—you can still capture decent images of the Northern Lights with a smartphone! The key is maximizing your phone’s low-light capabilities.

Smartphone Tips:

Use a Tripod: Just like with a camera, keeping your smartphone steady is crucial for long exposures. Even a mini-tripod or phone holder can make a big difference.

Night Mode: Many newer smartphones (iPhone, Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy) come with a built-in Night Mode. This automatically extends your phone’s exposure time, allowing you to capture more light.

Download a Manual Camera App: Apps like ProCamera (iOS) or Camera FV-5 (Android) give you manual control over your camera settings. Here’s what to adjust:

• Set your ISO to around 800–1600.
• Shutter speed to 5–15 seconds.
• Manually focus your camera to infinity if your app allows it.

Self-Timer: Use the self-timer (2-5 seconds) to avoid shaking the phone when you press the shutter button.

Shoot in RAW: If your phone allows it, shoot in RAW format. This will give you more options for editing the photo afterward, just like on a DSLR.

🔴 Pro Tip:
Try taking a video in time-lapse mode. Some smartphones have this feature, which can beautifully capture the movement of the Northern Lights over a longer period of time.

Practical Tips for Northern Lights Photographers

Photographing the Northern Lights isn’t just about gear and settings. Here are some practical (and often overlooked) tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience:

Scout Your Location During the Day: If you’re heading to a remote area, check it out during daylight. Find a spot with a clear, unobstructed view of the sky, far away from city lights.

Dress for the Weather: It’s cold out there! The best places to see the Northern Lights are often freezing, especially if you’re out at night. Dress in layers, wear insulated boots and bring gloves that allow you to operate your camera. Hand warmers are your best friend.

Pack Extra Batteries: Cold weather drains batteries faster than usual. Bring fully charged spares and keep them warm in your jacket or pockets. Bring phone batteries and charging cables.

Stay Patient: Aurora activity can be unpredictable. You might need to wait for hours before you see any lights. Make it fun—bring hot drinks, and snacks, and enjoy the moment. If the lights don’t show, you still get to enjoy a peaceful night under the stars. If you are better prepared, you're likely to stay out longer.

By preparing ahead of time and knowing how to work your camera (or smartphone!), you’ll be able to capture the stunning beauty of the Northern Lights, or the night sky, like a pro. With the right settings, and a little patience, you’re sure to walk away with some unforgettable photos—and an even better experience.

All Content © 2024, John Bulmer Photography. All Rights Reserved.  Permalink here.