Capturing the Northern Lights is a dream of many photographers and nature lovers alike. It's a phenomenon that can be seen only in certain parts of the world and Scotland is lucky enough to be one of them. Loch Lomond with its dark skies and stunning scenery is a popular spot for aurora hunters and as a car photographer I decided to combine my passion for cars with my love for the Northern Lights. In this blog I'll take you through my experience of capturing this magical moment with the help of my trusty Audi A6.

Planning the Shoot

To capture the Northern Lights you need a clear night with no clouds and the aurora forecast should be good. The aurora is a natural light display that occurs when charged particles from the sun enter the earth's atmosphere and collide with its gases causing a spectacular light show. To ensure I captured the best possible images I checked the aurora forecast website to know the best time to head out. Since I was incorporating my Audi A6 into the shoot I needed to find a location that would complement the car and the aurora. Loch Lomond is known for its stunning landscapes and I knew that it would be the perfect spot for my shoot. I decided to head to a remote area near the loch where I could capture the aurora without any light pollution. I made sure to carry all the necessary gear including my camera tripod extra batteries and warm clothing is KEY!! ( took 3 jackets and was still freezing :)

The Shoot

I left my house at 11 pm and drove for about an hour to reach my chosen location. It was a clear night with no clouds and I could already see a faint green glow in the sky. As I reached the location I parked my Audi A6 and set up my camera and tripod. I used my Canon EOS R5 camera which has a high ISO range and excellent low-light performance. I attached my 24-70 2.8 RF L Series wide-angle lens to capture as much of the aurora and the landscape as possible.I took some test shots to check the camera settings and made some adjustments based on the light conditions. The aurora was slowly getting brighter and I could see a green and pink hue spreading across the sky. I positioned my Audi A6 in front of the camera using it as a prop to add interest and depth to the shot. The car's sleek lines and elegant design complemented the natural beauty of the aurora. As the aurora became more intense I experimented with different camera settings to capture the movement and colours of the lights. I used a long exposure of around 20 seconds to capture the movement of the lights and bring out the vibrant colours. I also adjusted the aperture to control the depth of field and the ISO to maintain the image's quality.

It was a magical moment standing in the dark with my camera capturing the beauty of the Northern Lights. The aurora was dancing across the sky with shades of green pink and purple blending together in a mesmerizing display. The Audi A6 added a touch of luxury and sophistication to the shot making it stand out from the usual Northern Lights images.

I stayed out until 4 am capturing as many shots as possible before the aurora faded away. As the sun started to rise I packed up my gear and headed back to my car. The Audi A6 had been the perfect partner for this shoot providing me with comfort space and a touch of elegance throughout the long night.

Post-Processing

After the shoot I imported the images into my computer and started to edit them. I used Adobe Lightroom to adjust the exposure contrast and colour balance of each image bringing out the best of the Northern Lights and the Audi A6. I added some sharpening and noise reduction to ensure the images looked crisp and clean. In some images I enhanced the aurora's colours to make them look more vibrant and dynamic while in others I toned down the colours to create a more subtle and moody effect. I also cropped some images to focus on specific details such as the car's headlights or the trees in the background.

Lessons Learned and maybe tips for the future

Capturing the Northern Lights can be challenging but it's also a rewarding experience. Here are some lessons I learned from my shoot:

Check the aurora forecast: To capture the best possible images make sure to check the aurora forecast website beforehand. This will give you an idea of when and where the aurora will be visible. ( I used an app called Aurora Watch)
Bring the right gear: Make sure to bring all the necessary gear including your camera tripod extra batteries and warm clothing. It can get cold and windy out there so it's essential to be prepared.
Experiment with different settings: The Northern Lights are constantly moving and changing so it's important to experiment with different camera settings to capture their movement and colours.
Incorporate props: If you're a car photographer consider incorporating a car into the shoot to add interest and depth to the images. The car can be used as a prop providing a focal point and a touch of luxury.
Be patient: Capturing the Northern Lights can take time so it's important to be patient and wait for the aurora to appear. Don't give up too soon as the best moments can often happen when you least expect them.

If you're a photographer nature lover or car enthusiast I highly recommend heading out to Loch Lomond to experience the beauty of the Northern Lights. With a little bit of planning patience and creativity you too can capture this magical moment and create images that will be cherished for years to come!

Cheers,

Kabir