Aurora (2024)

We love a bit of science in our house and natural phenomena are right up our street. When these epic light shows appeared we had to get out and capture them. Seen from Anglesey in North Wales and also Mellor Cross, near Manchester.

A few thoughs about seeing the aurora…

1. You don’t need total darkness to see the aurora.

While dark skies help, the aurora can still be visible near cities when activity is strong. In fact, long camera exposures often reveal colours and movement the naked eye can’t see, which is why aurora photography sometimes captures more drama than you remember seeing in the moment.

2. Cameras see the aurora differently to our eyes

Modern digital cameras are far more sensitive to colour in low light than the human eye. Greens, purples and reds often appear richer in photographs, especially with longer exposures making aurora photography a surprising mix of science, patience and timing.

3. The aurora moves faster than you expect

Auroras aren’t static they ripple, shift, and change shape in seconds. For photographers, this means working quickly, adjusting settings on the fly and embracing imperfection. Some of the most compelling aurora images come from responding instinctively rather than aiming for technical perfection.