Hello from Hetta, Lapland. I’ve been here a few days before I continue to my new base camp for the next group. Last night I went out with snowshoes to explore the area under Northern lights. It’s so special to walk around and have that glow on the sky, it’s hard to describe but it feels like being home.
After a while, thin clouds appeared and it started to snow! Feeling the snowflakes in my face and seeing the stars and auroras is quite a ‘cool’ mix.
Not what I wanted
Then the happy ‘accident’ happened, I tried to take a photo of the animal tracks I found. On my first try I saw snowflakes being lit up in my photo, ruining the shot I planned. So I took another one. Here are both:
The animal tracks were easy to see and no distracting snow flakes. But wait a minute… Snowflake trails are actually cool! Usually I shoot star trails with auroras but now I can do something – at least for me – totally new: Snowflake trails, woohoo!
Let’s go with that tonight
I felt that boost inside me, that urge to try something new and I told myself: forget the nice trees, forget the animal tracks, forget the shape of auroras. Let’s go with snowflake trails. I took, ehm, ‘several’ photos trying to hold the flashlight higher, lower, to the side, stronger beam, short burst, etc. It was like playing with Legos the first time and learning by doing. Can’t wait for the next chance to shoot snowflake trails!
Here are some more photos plus also the one without the flashlight. Which is your favourite?
I think the top photo is the best. It’s because of your lighting, the tops of a few trees and then the snow trails also brightened by your flashlight. I didn’t see the animal tracks for awhile due to the upward focus due to lighting. If you get another try I hope you can get some friends with bright flashlights to experiment with differing lighting patterns, you probably will get more shots of beauty as are these. Overall this is a very stunning photo, I just love it! Congratulations on your happy accident. Regards Robert
Thanks for writing your thoughts, Robert. I most definitely will try out more with snowflakes and you are right, it would be great to have someone with me. It was nearly impossible to remember the position. Intrigued by the idea of more than one flashlight too. Have a great day 🙂
Absolutely beautiful images …smokin !! man it looks cold , hope you’ve got some herbal medicine to keep you warm..
keep up the great work..regards from Australia
Hi Rok, thanks a bunch! It wasn’t too cold, just gotta wear enough layers 🙂 Greetings to Australia!
Beautiful pics as always..love seeing the winters landscapes and aurora too of course.thank you for sharing this with us…you have the best job ever!⛄️❄️😀Jacqueline…
Thanks so much, Jacqueline. I can’t complain about the job 😀 Many greetings!