This is one of those photos I have always thought would be nice: a close-up of the boat, with the northern light emerging from the cabin. BUT... how to balance the elements? How to illuminate the boat? Will the light appear in the right angle?
This is when we all need to have friends onboard: someone that is willing to be with you while you try to get that photo you are looking for (maybe they are too!).
For this photo, I wanted to have a full moon illuminating the boat, so the lighting would be constant. I could have given light with a headlamp, or add some flashes here and there, but the light is never as even as the beautiful moonlight. So, instead of about 6 months of darkness for this photo, I only had about 6 weeks (the previous and posterior days to the full moon). In addition, this boat is easily accessible only when the tide is low: high tide makes it very difficult to get as close as I wanted to be: this left me with about 3 weeks of time. Finally, we always need to have clear skies, or we will not be able to see the northern light: one week was cloudy, so I only had about two weeks left from the whole season.
In addition, you need to be in the right place, at the right time. I was lucky this time, and all the elements came in together. However, when we look at a beautiful photo on the net, we tend to forget how much planning is involved, and how may failures are needed for a success.
If you are starting in photography, remember that your best photo is yet to be taken! And also, that patience always pays off.
Do you have doubts? Drop me a line on my e-mail or on my facebook page!
Do you have doubts? Drop me a line on my e-mail or on my facebook page!
ISO 500, f=3.2, 5 seconds exposure |