The First Nipper Sunrise of the Year | 01.02.2025

 

The First Nipper Sunrise of the Year | 01.02.2025
Albany, New York 

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Sun Detail | 12.31.2024

Sun Detail | 12.31.2024

The sunspots you see are dark, cooler regions on the Sun’s surface caused by intense magnetic activity. They vary significantly in size, typically ranging from about 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) to 50,000 kilometers (31,068 miles) in diameter. To put this into perspective, many sunspots are as large as Earth, which has a diameter of approximately 12,742 kilometers (7,918 miles). Some sunspots can grow even larger; for instance, the largest sunspot ever recorded, AR 14886, was nearly the diameter of Jupiter—about 88,846 miles (142,984 kilometers).
Sunspots expand and contract as they move across the Sun’s surface and can last from several days to a few months. Their size and frequency fluctuate in an approximately 11-year cycle known as the solar cycle, with more and larger sunspots appearing during periods of increased solar activity.

It’s important to note that while sunspots appear dark compared to the surrounding solar surface, they are still extremely bright. If isolated from the Sun, a sunspot would shine brighter than the full Moon. © 2025 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
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Happy New Year!

As we say goodbye to 2024 and welcome 2025, I want to thank each of you for your support and engagement with my photo and historical projects. Whether this year was challenging or rewarding, we’ve made it through together.

Wishing you all a joyful and inspiring New Year!

© 2025 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
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Sunrise in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve | 12.28.2024

Sunrise in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve | 12.28.2024
Albany, New York 

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A Bald Eagle Watches the Sunrise Over the Port of Albany | 12.24.2024

 A Bald Eagle Watches the Sunrise Over the Port of Albany | 12.24.2024
Albany, New York 

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Scratches Across The Night Sky | 12.14.2024

Scratches Across The Night Sky
Peak Geminids, December 14, 2024
Saratoga County, New York

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The Kenmore (North Pearl Rain) | 12.13.2024

The Kenmore (North Pearl Rain) | 12.13.2024
Albany, New York 

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New York State Capitol Holiday Lights | 12.10.2024

New York State Capitol Holiday Lights | 12.10.2024
Albany, New York  

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Fresh Snow on Geyser Creek | 12.08.2024

Fresh Snow on Geyser Creek | 12.08.2024
Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs, New York

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
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Squalls Over the Southern Adirondacks | 12.03.2024

Squalls Over the Southern Adirondacks | 12.03.2024
Lake George, New York 

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Palace Theater in the Rain | 11.26.2024

Palace Theater in the Rain | 11.26.2024
Albany, New York

Note: Long exposure of the Palace Theater’s marquee illuminating the corner of Clinton and North Pearl Streets on an overcast morning. Rain softens the scene, casting halos around the glowing lights.

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State Street Rain | 11.26.2024

 

State Street Rain | 11.26.2024
Albany, New York 

Note: Rain isn’t the absence of color; it’s the paintbrush that draws with existing light.

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
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Wildfire Sunset | 11.10..2024

Wildfire Sunset | 11.10.2024
Note: A wildfire-tinted sun sets behind the American flag at the state capitol on the smokiest day I have ever photographed.

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Wildfire Skies | 11.10.2024

Wildfire Skies | 11.10.2024 

Various Locations, Captial District

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Maiden Lane | 11.03.2024

Maiden Lane | 11.03.2024
Albany, New York 

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The Woodland Giant | 10.25.2024

The Woodland Giant | 10.25.2024
Grafton Lakes State Park

This is one of my favorite trees on the Rensselaer Plateau. I’ve nicknamed it the Woodland Giant. A towering, double-trunked red maple, it evokes the feeling of standing at the feet of a giant, especially at night under the Plateau's Bortle Class 4 sky. In places like Grafton Lakes State Park, this “Rural/Suburban Transition” sky has moderate darkness with some light pollution along the horizon. The Milky Way remains visible, though softened, and fainter stars and deep-sky objects still shine through, making it a subtly illuminated setting for stargazing.

But the night sky we see now is not the sky of our parents' youth, or even our own. Each year, stars disappear, claimed by unshielded lights and expanding cities. As more residential developments rise in the surrounding counties, the sky could soon be reclassified as Bortle Class 5—a “Suburban Sky” where light pollution dims the Milky Way and mutes fainter stars and deep-sky objects, gradually altering our connection to the night, making it harder for us to witness auroras, comets, the galactic core, and meteor showers.

Standing before the Woodland Giant, I’m reminded of the walking trees of mythology, like the Ents of Middle Earth—ancient guardians of the forest, protectors of the night sky and the wild lands. These mythical trees, wise and rooted yet capable of movement, evoke our deep, age-old ties to the natural world, urging us to protect the skies and forests they once watched over.

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Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Final Image | 10.19.2024

Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS Final Image | 10.19.2024

Stacked multiple images of Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, captured through both a traditional camera and a telescope. By layering these images, I enhanced the detail and dynamic range, revealing the comet’s faint tail and bright core with clarity that a single exposure could not achieve. This technique brings out the intricate structure and beauty of the comet as it fades from view in the western sky.

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Milky Way Over Dickinson Fire Tower | 10.18.2024

Milky Way Over Dickinson Fire Tower | 10.18.2024

The galactic core of the Milky Way rises over the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower in Grafton, New York. I added a red light illuminating the lookout cab for added contrast.

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Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) | 10.17.2024

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS)
Detail Composite

I wanted to see if I could reveal more of the comet’s structure, so I stacked five images using a blending mode that highlights only the lighter tones. While this introduced some noise, it also revealed more of the comet’s structure and tail.

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Tomhannock Golden Hour | 10.17.2024

Tomhannock Golden Hour | 10.17.2024
Tomhannock Reservoir, Pittstown, New York 

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
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Ancient Ice in the October Sky | 10.14.2024

Ancient Ice in the October Sky | 10.14.2024

Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) last night as it neared its closest approach to Earth. This rare sky visitor, visible throughout October, won’t return for another 80,000 years.

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Auroras | 10.10.2024

Auroras | 10.10.2024

Washington County, New York

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Practical Tips for Aurora Photography

Note: I’ve put together some practical tips for DSLR, mirrorless, and smartphone users to help you better understand the process of shooting the Northern Lights. In addition, I’ve included some useful forecasting tools to help you track aurora activity, so you know when the best viewing opportunities will occur. You’ll also find some pro tips (marked in red) that have helped me when I’m scrambling to set up in the dark to shoot the night sky.

Practical Tips for Aurora Photography By John Bulmer, John Bulmer Photography 

There’s something truly magical about witnessing the Northern Lights. It’s one of those bucket-list moments—watching the sky dance with vibrant green, purple, and red streaks. If you're lucky enough to see the aurora, you'll want to capture that memory forever. However, photographing the Northern Lights isn’t as simple as pointing your camera at the sky and snapping a picture. But don’t worry, this guide will help you turn that awe-inspiring experience into beautiful, frame-worthy photos.

Whether you’re using a DSLR, a mirrorless camera, or even your smartphone, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from forecasting the aurora to camera settings and even tips on focusing in the dark.

➡️ How to Predict the Northern Lights: Forecasting Tools

First things first—seeing the Northern Lights requires a bit of luck and some good timing. Fortunately, there are a few tools to help you know when and where you might catch them.

➡️ Best Tools for Northern Lights Forecasting:

Aurora Forecast App (iOS & Android): This app provides real-time updates and a KP index that indicates the likelihood of aurora activity. If the KP index is 4 or higher, you're in for a good chance!

NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center: This site gives accurate, real-time geomagnetic activity data. If you’re planning a night out, check their 30-minute and 3-day aurora forecasts.

SpaceWeatherLive: This website monitors solar wind and geomagnetic data to predict auroras. It's a more detailed tool for those who want to dig into the science behind the lights.

🔴 Pro Tip:
Clear skies matter just as much as aurora activity. Even with a high KP index, you won’t see anything through heavy cloud cover. So, always check a weather app for clear skies before you go.

Camera Settings for Perfect Northern Lights Photos

Now let’s dive into camera settings. The key to photographing the Northern Lights is allowing enough light into your camera's sensor without overexposing the image. Night photography takes some experimentation, but here are some go-to settings to get you started:

Basic Camera Settings:

Mode: Switch your camera to Manual Mode (M). This gives you complete control over the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, which are all critical for night photography.

Aperture (f-stop): Set your aperture to the widest possible setting, like /2.8 or lower. The lower the f-stop, the more light your camera can collect. If your lens doesn't go that low, set it as low as possible.

Shutter Speed: This will vary depending on how active the aurora is. Start with a shutter speed of 5 to 25 seconds. A longer exposure will capture more light, but if the aurora is moving fast, shorter exposures will help you freeze that motion. Remember, longer exposures will blur sky motion and any movement in the frame, like trees.

ISO: Set your ISO between 800 to 3200. Higher ISOs allow your camera to capture more light but watch out for noise (graininess). Test different ISOs and adjust based on how bright the aurora is. For list night's images, I shot ISO 400 and was just fine.

White Balance: Use a white balance of around 3500K. This gives your image a more natural color, but feel free to experiment if you want different results. If you're shooting in RAW format, you can easily adjust this later.

Why Shoot in RAW?

Shooting in RAW preserves a ton of detail that would otherwise be lost in JPEG. This gives you more flexibility when you edit later, especially when it comes to adjusting exposure, contrast, and color balance.

🔴 Pro Tip:
Use a sturdy tripod. The long exposure times mean any movement (even slight hand shakes) will blur the image. A tripod ensures that your camera stays steady during the exposure.

Focusing in the Dark: The Infinity Focus Trick

One of the most frustrating parts of night photography is getting your camera to focus. In the darkness, autofocus often hunts around or misses the target completely, leaving your photos blurry. Here’s a pro tip that will make things a whole lot easier:

How to Pre-Focus Your Camera to Infinity:

1. Do it during the day. In daylight, switch your camera to manual focus.
2. Focus on something really far away—like a mountain, a distant building, or even a cloud on the horizon.
3. Adjust your focus ring until the distant object is as sharp as possible. This is your infinity focus.
4. Lock in your focus: Mark this spot on your lens using a small piece of tape or a pencil mark. This way, when it’s dark, you can turn your focus ring to that exact point and be ready to shoot. I have even locked the focus ring with blue painter's tape. It saves so much time on-site.
5. Once night falls, manually set your lens to this spot, and don’t touch the focus again. This will ensure that your stars and aurora are crisp and sharp.

🔴 Pro Tip:
If you're out in the field and haven’t pre-focused your lens, you can use the moon, a bright star, or a distant streetlight to help manually focus at night.

Capturing the Northern Lights with Your Smartphone

If you don’t have a DSLR or mirrorless camera, don’t fret—you can still capture decent images of the Northern Lights with a smartphone! The key is maximizing your phone’s low-light capabilities.

Smartphone Tips:

Use a Tripod: Just like with a camera, keeping your smartphone steady is crucial for long exposures. Even a mini-tripod or phone holder can make a big difference.

Night Mode: Many newer smartphones (iPhone, Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy) come with a built-in Night Mode. This automatically extends your phone’s exposure time, allowing you to capture more light.

Download a Manual Camera App: Apps like ProCamera (iOS) or Camera FV-5 (Android) give you manual control over your camera settings. Here’s what to adjust:

• Set your ISO to around 800–1600.
• Shutter speed to 5–15 seconds.
• Manually focus your camera to infinity if your app allows it.

Self-Timer: Use the self-timer (2-5 seconds) to avoid shaking the phone when you press the shutter button.

Shoot in RAW: If your phone allows it, shoot in RAW format. This will give you more options for editing the photo afterward, just like on a DSLR.

🔴 Pro Tip:
Try taking a video in time-lapse mode. Some smartphones have this feature, which can beautifully capture the movement of the Northern Lights over a longer period of time.

Practical Tips for Northern Lights Photographers

Photographing the Northern Lights isn’t just about gear and settings. Here are some practical (and often overlooked) tips to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience:

Scout Your Location During the Day: If you’re heading to a remote area, check it out during daylight. Find a spot with a clear, unobstructed view of the sky, far away from city lights.

Dress for the Weather: It’s cold out there! The best places to see the Northern Lights are often freezing, especially if you’re out at night. Dress in layers, wear insulated boots and bring gloves that allow you to operate your camera. Hand warmers are your best friend.

Pack Extra Batteries: Cold weather drains batteries faster than usual. Bring fully charged spares and keep them warm in your jacket or pockets. Bring phone batteries and charging cables.

Stay Patient: Aurora activity can be unpredictable. You might need to wait for hours before you see any lights. Make it fun—bring hot drinks, and snacks, and enjoy the moment. If the lights don’t show, you still get to enjoy a peaceful night under the stars. If you are better prepared, you're likely to stay out longer.

By preparing ahead of time and knowing how to work your camera (or smartphone!), you’ll be able to capture the stunning beauty of the Northern Lights, or the night sky, like a pro. With the right settings, and a little patience, you’re sure to walk away with some unforgettable photos—and an even better experience.

All Content © 2024, John Bulmer Photography. All Rights Reserved. 

Keene Valley Sunrise | 10.08.2024

Keene Valley Sunrise | 10.08.2024
Giant Moutain, Adirondacks 

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Autumn in John Boyd Thacher State Park | 10.07.2024

 Autumn in John Boyd Thacher State Park | 10.07.2024
Voorheesville, New York

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
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Fog Sunrise | 09.20.2024

Fog Sunrise | 09.20.2024
Halfmoon, New York

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Sunrise in the City | 09.18.2024

Sunrise in the City | 09.18.2024
Albany, New York 

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
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Partial Lunar Eclipse of the Harvest Super Moon | 09.17.2024

Partial Lunar Eclipse of the Harvest Super Moon | 09.17.2024
Saratoga County, New York 

© 2024 John Bulmer Photography, John Bulmer Media, and Nor'easter Films
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