My Thoughts on Photography & the Aurora Australis

One of the most interesting things about photographing the Aurora Australis is how each camera can interpret white balance differently.

For instance, my camera might capture it differently from the person standing right next to me.

Why? So many factors come into play. Your personal settings, your camera auto white balance settings and the aurora moving unpredictably.

When it comes to editing, I find it helpful to explore the white balance presets in editing software. Try selecting each preset and notice how it changes the image, different settings can completely transform the look.

The editing software is essentially trying to interpret the scene using its technology.

It’s also important to remember that the human eye can’t see the aurora in the same colors a camera does. We mostly perceive a silvery ribbon or beams with a touch of magenta or pink, so we have to rely on the camera to capture details we can’t see in real time.

When editing your aurora images, it ultimately comes down to how you feel about the image and what you want to convey to the viewer. What matters most is that it’s your photograph.

Phone cameras capture the aurora in their own way, often processing images with a bit of hyperrealism.

Our eyes also perceive colours differently. For example, I can sometimes see magenta in clouds at 4 p.m. even though sunset doesn’t start until 6 p.m. That’s just my perception and it’s perfectly fine for your editing to reflect your own experience.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is to enjoy the process.

Let’s appreciate the fact that something like the aurora has the power to bring people together across the world through its beauty. It’s a phenomenal experience to witness and share with others.

Thank you for reading.

Vicki-Louise