15 Photos From The 2022 Northern Lights Photographer Of The Year

Annual Northern Lights Photographer of the Year selections have been published by Capture the Atlas, which feature the best photos of the aurora borealis or australis captured from around the world. Capture the Atlas is a travel and photography blog that helps others plan their trips and improve their photography. The blog’s main focus is landscape and astrophotography, and its articles include photography guides, tutorials, and inspiration.

"Nugget Point Lighthouse Aurora" – Douglas Thorne: Nugget Point Lighthouse is on the eastern side of New Zealand's South Island. It rests above the famous rocks, which were named by Captain Cook because they looked like pieces of gold. The lighthouse is set on a precipice, where the ocean meets the sky. From here, you can get panoramic views of the southern seas, so it's a photographer's dream location. I arrived here early one autumn morning to capture the Milky Way rising above the lighthouse. It was an image that I've planned to capture for a long time. However, I was greeted by a surprise visitor. The Aurora Australis began to glow, its beams blooming over the ocean. I quickly changed my approach and got excited as flashes of yellow and red began to appear in my frame.Eventually, the Milky Way and the Aurora began to synchronize harmoniously, resulting in this image. I love the leading lines and the way the Milky Way surrounds the Aurora. Mostly though, I love that this wasn't the picture I planned. It reminds me that sometimes the best shots happen unexpectedly. You have to take risks and go exploring because you just never know what you might come across.