Aurora with Igloo, Brooks Range, Alaska, USA.

Excellent work, Rolf. Regarding the star trails, the exposure of the sky was of course limited by the brightness of the aurora. Rolf got that exactly right, so the overall exposure of the sky cannot be changed. A longer exposure with smaller f-stop would result in longer but less distinct star trails. I like being able to notice them, so I'd say the sky is just right. The igloo looks lit from within, which is a nice effect, better than painting it with a light from the outside. As for what I would have done differently: I wouldn't have done as good a job. Rolf nailed this one.

Rolf,

This is truly a great shot! Great idea. And not manipulated. Even better! Inspiring!

For all of you contemplating the length of exposure and the light source of the igloo, READ THE DETAILS.

I find the igloo's lighting puzzeling. It seems magical, distinctive from the

surrounding snow. Are igloos really lit up like this? Amazing!

Thanks Tony Bell,

 

My wife says I never listen to her, or something like that, and this falls under the same category. I hardly ever read the details.

 

Ok, so the details say a Coleman lamp was used for the interior, and that it was switched off after 1 or 2 minutes. That explains that. While the ice palace effect isn't bad, I suppose it's an aesthetic choice, I would have preferred a darker igloo, like maybe 1/4 of what you allowed here.

 

Even so, my hat's off to you for the shot, especially now that I realize you had to run around to shut down the Coleman, then run back to stop the exposure.

Doug, I agree with you about the lighting of the igloo--it's a little too much. But that said, this is still a terrific photo taken under fairly difficult conditions. I have to admit I'm fascinated by Auroras, and like almost any photo with one in it. There's another PN user with quite a fine collection of these, Chris VenHaus, http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=139368, though this one, because of the igloo, is really spectacular.

 

Rolf, congratulations on a wonderful shot and on your POW!

It is, not doubt about, a great shot, taken under difficult conditions, technically very well succeeded, but (I am sorry to spoil the fun) I really don?t like the igloo. I think that that artificial lightning goes against the overall effect; I think that the Aurora is diminished. Auroras are a real awesome phenomenon and by an igloo lit in this way it becomes something picturesque, what does not make justice to nature. I think that this is not a minor aspect of this photo and I would like to see it with a more natural igloo.

Here's another vote for a slightly darker igloo, but this being said, the picture is quite a pleasure to look at. A little more foreground too, maybe...? But a great exposure overall, and a nice composition. Very good, and yes, very original too - at least to me. Congrats.

I love the igloo because it makes me feel more of a personal connection to the landscape. I find everthing about this shoot amazing. Good work.!

The best aurora shot I've seen in a long time. You need the foreground interest (or some other subject of interest) to really make it work, and the exposure has got to be tricky. Well done!

Awesome photo......

 

What kind of man are you to be there to take that kind of photo?

 

Are you an Arctic explorer?

 

Or do you live in a place that trippy?......

 

Would seriously love to have seen what you have seen.....

 

Please reply ...........

 

Many Thanks.......

 

FG

this is nice, but its way to cliche for me. Ive seen images done like this quite a bit.

Adam.

How the hell can anyone call this shot cliche???? Only pick is a little too much Coleman light. This is well done, especially in March...Got to be damn cold there.

This is a baeutiful image like some I have seen before. It remeinds me of a book I read about eskimo people in the north. I have just loaded a pictuer I think will be the next pow, but it is not as good as this one is. A very good job to Ralf

" This is one of the most original images ever nominated for POW. "

 

Yes this is not a scene we see everyday. Very nice. But, for me, originality in photography is'nt having an original scene but having an original way of seeing things.. Do we have to break the rules to be original ? I don't think so, but here the only thing that makes this photo stand out is the sky and igloo-lighting.

What do you think ?

Thanks for sharing this beautiful moment with us. A well deserved POW.

 

The foreground igloo, with its well apparent brick structure adds a lot of interest IMO, and its shape complements that of the mountains and aurora. While you have done exceedingly well, I agree with those who suggest less light from inside the igloo - just enough for one to recognise the bricks of snow.

 

Still, it's excellent.

Certainly not an everyday scene for most of us. It's beautifully taken, fantastic.

First off, beautiful photo! I love aurora shots and this is a dandy. Congrats on POW and it's a nice choice.

 

"Would you have done this any differently, and, if so: why?"

 

Would have allowed for just a little more space below the igloo as I like to have a visual foundation for the subject to rest on and be framed by. Not much space... don't want to remove too much of the fabulous light show, but just a smidgeon more.

The image is wonderful. I wouldn't change anything compositionally. I would just do an auto level, auto contrast, or auto color. Either of those boast the contrast and makes the igloo really radiate nicely. But that's just MY preference. Though I think it is a good preference. .

 

Take care.

What a fabulous photo! I have only had a few opportunities to photograph the Northern Lights, and those few times I was unprepared to do so, and ended up with a wonderful sky but powerlines or houses in the foreground which ruined the image. This is a fine example of being well prepared and in the right place at the right time.

 

Beautiful sky made even more beautiful with the foreground igloo... makes me want to brave the cold northern nights again this winter! Love it!!

"the only thing that makes this photo stand out is the sky and igloo-lighting"

 

To me that is exactly the point of the photo. A crystal igloo in the windswept artic, under the endless winter sky. A feeling of warmth and coldness at the same time. Wonderful.

Great picture. I feel the cold and the warmth. The exposure settings were exactly as needed the keep the vibrant colours of the northern lights and not to overexpose the surroundings...7/7

Very cool photo. And I'm sure the photographer has his secret as to how he did the igloo. I might have approached that particular task by magnetic lasso'ing the igloo and trying some of the color correction functions, sort of like this...(hope this doesn't tick Rolf off...)...

Hi there Rolf,

 

I saw the photo and I immediately recognized it. This must be Rolf Hicker!! Very nice photo and colours, just amazing!!

Personally I have the pictures from the mother polar bear with two cubs waiting on the ice to come off you. That was when my brother and I where in Canada, Port Mc Neill, orca spotting!

 

Keep up the good work,

 

a fan from Holland

Obviously a difficult shot at many respects: first you have to go there, build a decent igloo, find the right pose and be lucky enough to get such a sky... I'm not familiar with such pole places so for me this image is extremely original (places, color, concept, phenomenon).

Regarding the aesthetic I am far less enthousiastic than most of the posters here.

I find the light very harsh on/in the igloo at a point that we loose details and in comparizon the snow looks dull (instead of being same color as the igloo) The mountains are also a bit dull. I didnt expect everything to be bright of course, but the igloo light makes the confusion I guess. The sky is wonderful but loose interest as the snow also is blueish and the eyes firstly attracted by the whitish igloo.

I would have also (if possible) taken a bit more distance with the igloo to avoid it to be to close to the image's borders.... probably that distance would have also decrease the impact of the light as well.

But, all that small critics said, a definitely a 'cool' shot. And congratulations Rolf, only one picture in your portfolio and already a POW !....