The Northern Lights!!

I am a collector of experiences. I love adventures and as my profile says, it is about the journey as much as the photo itself. So, when I heard about the chance to see and photograph the Northern Lights near me I jumped at the chance! I never thought I would be able to see them this far south. They have been on my bucket list forever, but I thought a trip to Alaska, Iceland or Norway was the only way to catch a glimpse. When a friend of mine, Melissa, said it was possible 2 hours from where I live, I knew I had to go despite it making for a long night! Melissa let a group of us know that a show was possible and I made the trek up to Anacortes, WA to join her and a group of fellow photographers. You can see Melissa's shots from the night here!

As my eyes adjusted to the darkness and I took a few test shots, I began to see green in the camera. As the show became stronger I was able to see lighter gray sections of the sky and streaks moving upward as well as pink along with the green in my camera. It was a thrilling experience and something I am so glad I did despite the limited sleep that night. I cannot wait to go again!

And because this was such a learning experience for me (only had a few usuable shots) I share some tips at the bottom of this post. 

Settings: ISO 400, 16mm, f/4.0, ss30.0sec

Taken around 9:30pm on April 15th, 2015 at Washington Park

Settings: ISO 3200, 35mm, f/11, ss30.0sec

Taken around 10:20pm on April 15th, 2015 at Washington Park

Settings: ISO 500, 33mm, f/4.5, ss30.0sec

Taken around 10:30pm on April 15th, 2015 at Washington Park

Settings: ISO 640, 33mm, f/4.5, ss25.0sec

Taken around 10:40pm on April 15th, 2015 at Washington Park

"The north! the north! from out the north
What founts of light are breaking forth,
And streaming up these evening skies,
A glorious wonder to our eyes!"

Hannah Flagg Gould, "The Aurora Borealis"

A few things I learned about shooting the Aurora Borealis:
1. You can see them much farther south than you think, you just need a place that is as dark as possible (away from light pollution) and north facing with a good view of the horizon.

2. There are a TON of groups on Facebook, websites and apps for knowing when a storm is coming. Facebook - Aurora Alerts by Soft Serve and Aurora Borealis Notifications
Website - Soft Serve News and Space Weather Prediction Center
App - Aurora Forecast (free for iPhone)

3. A tripod is a MUST and a remote is extremely helpful. You have to have a very long exposure, a wide open aperture and a higher ISO so you need to do everything you can to minimize movement.

4. Manual focus to infinity. In the pitch dark there is nothing to see focus on so you have to set manual focus for your camera. This is what I need to work on for next time!

5. Limit exposure of your eyes to light. Use a red filter on your flashlight, don't check your phone, etc. This is the only way you can see anything with the naked eye.

As I said, I have a ton to learn and I can't wait to try again. I hope you find these tips helpful and I would love to know what you think of my first attempt at shooting this epic natural phonemeon!

   

Pierced Wonderings and Finding Beauty

Tiptoeing through the Tulips

Every spring a tulips come to the Pacific Northwest and fill the fields with color! There is something magic about spending an afternoon walking among them. 

Settings: ISO 100, 25mm, f/6.3, ss1/200sec

Taken on April 9th, 2015 at Tulip Town in Mount Vernon, WA

"I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning." - J. B. Priestley

   

and Finding Beauty

That Time I Fulfilled a Life Long Dream of Photographing Crater Lake...

For as long as I can remember growing up there was a photo of Crater Lake hanging in our house. It was taken with a film camera in the 70s or 80s and the colors had faded, but it was still stunning to me. I dreamed of visiting that place and once I discovered my passion for photography of photographing it as well. I attempted the trip in my old car and ended up killing that car resulting in never making it to the lake. In 2013 I finally made it! We drove all the way around the rim of the crater (which I highly recommend) and stopped at almost all the viewpoints. I had rented a 17-40mm lens and fell in love with wide angle on that trip. 

I cannot put into words the feeling of the majestic place combined with finally realizing a long held dream. I am hoping this picture will do what I cannot.

Settings: ISO 100, 32mm, f/16, ss1/15sec

Taken at Crater Lake in Oregon on 07.22.13

"Crater Lake National Park is one of the country’s crown jewels. No place else on earth combines a deep pure lake, so blue in color; sheer surrounding cliffs, almost 2,000 feet high; a picturesque island and a violent volcanic past."

A Piece of Heaven

Do you have places that stay with you after you photograph them? That call to you to come back and see them over and in over just to watch how the light, seasons and weather change them? This is one of those places for me...

Taken at sunrise on July 19th, 2014 at Sparks Lake in Bend, Oregon

Settings: ISO 100, 29mm, f/16, ss0.4sec (on tripod)

Settings: ISO 100, 31mm, f/16, ss1/4sec (on tripod)

"On earth there is no heaven, but there are pieces of it." - Jules Renard

A new beginning...

It has been well over a year since I have edited a photo or blogged. Too long since I have documented this passion of mine to share the beauty of nature. I thought I should start somewhere...

Taken on February 17th, 2014 in Pacific City, Oregon

Settings: ISO 100, 50mm, f/22, ss1/4sec, on tripod

"The beginning is the most important part of the work." - Plato

Clickin Walk 2013...Finally!

This feels so weird! Blogging, I mean. It has been such a long time, even though it has only been a couple a months. When you go from blogging several times a week to none...I am sure you get the idea. I also haven't been shooting that much :(.

I did however brave the rain and wind to spend the day walking around Seattle with a group of amazing photographers. It was for the annual Clickin Moms' Clickin Walk, which I have gone to 3 years in a row. Here a photo of our group at the beginning of the walk taken by one of our fearless leaders Davina...

It was a challenge to take photos, but the experience was amazing! I got to see people I haven't seen in a year, meet new people and immerse myself in my passion for a day. It is difficult to describe the boost in creative energy one can get from just simply being around people who love the same thing you do and who love it just as much! Here are a few of my photos from the walk...

Settings: ISO 320, 50mm, ss1/3200, f/3.2

Settings: ISO 320, 50mm, ss1/1000, f/2.5

Settings: ISO 320, 100mm, ss1/200, f/3.2

Settings: ISO 320, 100mm, ss1/500, f/3.2

Settings: ISO 320, 100mm, ss1/125, f/2.8

One of the coolest parts of the walk for me was getting to help a fellow photographer I had met first at another photography meet up get a shot she had been hoping to try. As with many photographers, I am not a fan of being in front of the camera. However, I just couldn't pass up the chance to be a cheerleader and model for a photo. I know what it is like to dream about getting a certain shot and I was glad to help make it happen. I also learned about bit about flash because of this photo and a mini-workshop Jennifer put on after the walk. 

How cool is that! I can't wait to see what next year's Clickin Walk brings!

"Life is a canvas of many strokes where shades from different palettes meet into a picture so concrete that some forget it is their own, so become framed themselves." - Vanna Bonta

Project 52 - 29/52

I had a wonderful time visiting my dad in Astoria, Oregon earlier in the week. I feel blessed to get to spend the time with my family in such an amazing setting! On the first day we went to dinner at the Rogue Public House that sits on a pier on the Columbia, I highly reccommend it! Then I caught the sunset at one of my favorite places on Earth - the beach at Fort Stevens State Park. I was the only person on that portion of beach and I ran around as the sun set capturing different views. If anyone had been there I am sure they would have been amused at my crazy running around!

On the second day we had lunch at Mo's at Cannon Beach, another one of my favorite places to eat. Then my dad's step-granddaughter and I went for a walk on Cannon Beach near Ecola Creek. A storm was approaching, but I enjoyed the beach immensely even the wading across the creek that may or may  have resulted in a soaking shoe for my companion :o). 

Finally, on the morning of my departure I explored the beautiful flowers around my dad's house to get some macro shots. The prompt for the Nurture Photography Project (link below) is Green/Adventure. I think the whole trip qualifies as an adventure and the last photo has a bit of green! I am also being adventurous in my editing as I have been playing around with Luminosity Masks in Photoshop. They are amazing! I am going to play around some more and then do a tips and tricks post. 

I hope your week has been filled with adventure! I am off on a trip to Bend, Oregon for some more adventure.

Settings: ISO 100, 100mm, ss0.3sec, f/22 (on tripod)

Settings: ISO 100, 100mm, ss1/125, f/11

Settings: ISO 500m, 100mm, ss1/800, f/3.2

"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open." - Jawaharlal Nehru

         

Tones on Tuesday #84 7.16.13

If you are interested in picking the showcases for next week, please email me at scatteredhorizons.esc@gmail.com!

Sarah at Sarah Carletti Photography

Beautiful light in this capture and I love the way she is looking toward it. Thank you for sharing Sarah!

Travel with Intent

I love how the processing brings out the texture of this amazing structure. Thank you for linking up!

Kaeley at My Mind's Lens

The mood of this photo is amazing! The way the light and the lines and the subject work together to give it a contemplative and mysterious feel is wonderful. Thank you for sharing Kaeley!

Sarah, Travel with Intent and Kaeley please go HERE to grab your showcase button.

Now it's your turn to share your photo with altered tones. Here are the guidelines for Tones on Tuesday:

• The basic idea is to share one photo where you have altered the tones. Such as a black and white, sepia toned, selective coloring or colored photo. Feel free to share the original and edit, or just the edit.
• Please share a photo that you have taken and edited yourself.
• One photo per photographer please. If you have more than one photo in your post please indicate which one is for Tones on Tuesday. If you link up more than once only the first photo will be considered for showcasing.
• Please link up with your permalink and not your blog address.
• Attach the Tones on Tuesday button or a link to Scattered Horizons to your post.
• Leave comments for at least 3 other participants, share the love :o)!
• Have fun!

<center> <a href="http://scatteredhorizons.blogspot.com" target="_self"><img border="0" alt="Scattered Horizons" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oheKkR_BFoQ/ToqWTprynwI/AAAAAAAAAJE/eQ5mj0lgqx4/s1600/tonesontuesday2.jpg"></a> </center>

Disclaimer - By participating you give Scattered Horizons permission to share your photo on this blog. Photographers will be given credit for their work.

I am visiting my dad in Astoria, Oregon for a few days, which is why Tones on Tuesday and my photo were a little late. One of the many perks, besides seeing my family which is the best, is that he lives very near to my favorite beach at Fort Stevens State Park. Last night I headed there to catch the sunset and had the whole beach to myself. I am posting a Lightroom edit and a Photoshop edit as I just discovered Luminosity Masks in Photoshop and I was excited to try them out. I would love to know what you think, which one works better?

Settings: ISO 100, 50mm, ss1/15, f/22 (on tripod)

(Lightroom Edit)

(Photoshop Edit)

"Take me where the ocean meets the sky and the land" - The Wailin' Jennys "Beautiful Dawn"

Joining the link ups below. Be sure to check out the beautiful shots and join the Tones on Tuesday link up found further down!

   

Project 52 - Weeks 23-28/52

The act of catching up on the editing and posting of my Project 52 was daunting with 5 weeks to go through. I have been shooting some amazing events and locations each week, but I have been in an editing rut. When I decided to do a collage for each week not only did it seem doable, but it the act of creating collages add a jolt to my editing leaving me recharged. I hope you enjoy a journey through the past 5 weeks. I would love to know what you think! I have a long way to go in learning how to perfect collages.

Week 23 - Light in the Front Yard
Busy week at work = chasing the light around the yard. I love shooting with the intention only of capturing the light. It is such a challenging and creative exercise.

Week 24 - Brown's Point Lighthouse
I had tried to visit this lighthouse a year ago, but they were having a picnic and the tiny parking lot was full. This time, however, we pulled in just as one spot opened up. The sky was full of blue, clouds and sun that made for some amazing and challenging lighting situations.

Week 25 - Father's Day in Astoria
I spent Father's Day in Astoria, Oregon with my dad going to the Farmer's Market and riding the trolley - both of which were new experiences for me. It was a beautiful day filled with family and fun. There is nothing better!

Week 26 - Edmond's Sunset
I have said many times (maybe too many times :o) that sunsets fuel my soul. It has been a long time since I have photographed a spectacular sunset and I did not know how much I missed it until I was lucky enough to experience this one. I was looking for a new place to see the sunset and looked online. I found a list that comes out each year based on votes of residents of Western Washington. The Edmonds Waterfront, right next to the ferry dock, made the list each year. I can now see why! It was stunning and only got better and better!

Week 27 - Mount Rainier and Bumping Lake
I was hoping for another amazing sunset as we drove around Mount Rainier and ended up at Bumping Lake. Alas, it was not to be. However it was still a beautiful place and allowed me to play a bit with shutter speed for those smooth water surfaces. I need more practice :o).

Week 28 - Illwaco Firework Tradition
Finally, this past weekend I went to the annual Illwaco Fireworks show, which is always held on the first Saturday after the 4th. I was unfortunately sick on the Fourth of July. The fact that this is my favorite holiday made it even more sad. Luckily I had already planned to go to the fireworks in Illwaco with my mom like we have for the past 3 years. We stumbled upon it the first year and loved the atmosphere and the fireworks of course! This year I rented a 17-40mm f4 L lens for the trip. This is my seconded rented lens and I highly reccommend it. So much fun! It was very windy, which made getting the shots difficult, but fun nonetheless.

"I say that I can't make anything up. I think of myself as a collage artist. I'm cutting and pasting memories of my life. And I say, I have to live a life in order to tell a life." - Spalding Gray