Northern Lights from South of Seattle

Northern Lights from South of Seattle
Friday, August 28, 1998

OK, this image may not be worthy of the cover of S&T but I think it is among the coolest of all of my shots. I was shooting with my pal Scott at a location just 10 miles north of Sunrise at Mt. Rainier when we noticed this funny glow in the northeast. Our first thought was that it was sky glow or a cloud but then it started to get bigger and brighter. After seeing my first aurora from an airplane last spring I knew that I had to shoot one, but I thought I would need to go north to do it. It came to me. I had no idea how to shoot the northern lights and I was so excited I didn't think much about composition. I also ran out of film. I wasn't planning on an event. Oh well, it is still a night I will never forget. If I had the night over again I would probably keep the exposures to less than 30 seconds. At least I have proof that they can be seen this far south.

Notice the meteor on the left.

Check this site out for real Alaskan aurora and tips on how to photogragh them. I will be ready next time, if it ever happens again.
Jan Curtis Homepage. Lots of great pictures and information