This was a fun but challenging photo shoot. The challenge was how cold it was that night, coupled with recovering from elbow surgery. The lantern also had to be turned down to a faint little flame that would easily blow out. I had to turn it down in order to achieve a balanced exposure of the scene. I also had to hold the lantern extremely still in this position for 30 seconds without flinching. This is the end result. It may not be the best quality of photo, but it was the best I could achieve. The glow of Strathmore is the light in the background.
In Alberta, when the mercury plummets in the winter months ice crystals that fill the air cling to every square inch of the landscape commonly known as hoar frost. This hoar frost often builds up to an inch thick and will cover trees from top to bottom and virtually everything else exposed to the elements right down to the wires on a barbwire fence. During these conditions, the landscape becomes a winter wonderland.
While taking this photo, the aurora was erupting just to the left of this frame. Green and red lights danced across the sky. Why didn't I shoot that instead? Well, it wasn't for lack of trying. No matter what I did, I couldn't seem to win. The compositions we terrible, clouds were blocking the view. Airplanes, cars, even a tractor passing by ruined the shot. So I turned around and captured the glow of the city lights instead. I am happy I did that.
