The Northern Lights have graced our skies not once but twice since I’ve come back to the rock, and unfortunately, I have been asleep both times. This, unlike the auroras, appears to be a common phenomenon, with many I know having encountered the same problem. For some reason, even though seeing the Northern Lights is on basically everyone’s bucket list, unless you’ve decided to go out of your way to Iceland to find them, little to no effort goes into actually viewing the astronomical wonder when you could be in bed with a cup of tea by 10pm.
The select few who were prepared and actually checked the Aurora tracking websites (or those who just so happened to be outside when they occurred) got to see the sights that many dream of, yet unfortunately, dreamt through. An even smaller group figured out how to capture the scene on camera, showing up the rest of us who’ve only used long exposure to draw a heart with a sparkler on bonfire night. We decided to profile photographers who were dedicated enough to pull an overnight shift back in October, asking them to share their favourite shots, alongside some techniques they used to capture them.
Dylan Northcott
@_shotsbydyl
Dylan’s passion for photography sprang from his love of landscape shots in the National Geographic: “I remember seeing the amazing shots published in the magazines, which really inspired me to go out and see the world”. He’s fascinated by the way that photo quality is evolving, with new cameras making what was once impossible possible. He began shooting motorsports, rugby and surfing, before developing his skills to cater for landscapes, astrophotography and people. Above all, he wants to “tell stories” through his photos, and is especially drawn towards shooting minimalistic and dark moods.
“This is by far my favourite shot I have taken and it was truly mesmerising to witness the northern lights with my eyes and not just through the camera! I was really excited to post it online, and I was happy that it was well received.”
Sid Ahlawat
@sid_ahlawat_photography | sidd_ahlawat@yahoo.com
Sid’s journey with photography started over 14 years ago in Jersey. Captivated by the island’s natural beauty and incredible coastline, he said “my passion grew as I found myself drawn to capturing how light, weather, and tides transform familiar landscapes into something entirely new”. For him, photography became a way to “not only capture these moments but to convey the unique emotions and atmosphere of each scene”. Recently, he’s been exploring astrophotography, admiring how the dazzling landscapes bring a whole new layer of wonder to Jersey’s coastline. His style is immersive and atmospheric, aiming above all to create images that resonate emotionally, and praise the island’s natural beauty in a way that feels both authentic and evocative.
“I am truly lucky to have captured the mesmerising Aurora over Jersey on October 10, 2024 – a rare and surreal experience on the island”.
Lawrence Chay
@chazza_surfs | info@ouendesign.com
Lawrence’s photographic journey began in Australia, when he began capturing surfers on 35mm film. He said “I was inspired by my mother’s work and surf magazines of the late 90s. As a surfer, surfing will always be my favourite thing to photograph, but recently I’ve been doing a lot with local motorsports events”. Lawrence primarily shoots documentary style photography, inspired by the fleeting and candid moments that allow him to produce authentic images of moments with genuine emotion.
“After getting notified of the inbound aurora my mind ran wild thinking of the best locations with the least amount of traffic and light pollution. The aurora was clearly visible along the north coast and constantly evolving, making every image different until it began to fade in the early hours of the morning”.
Callum Thorne
@callum.thorne | studio@callumthorne.com
Callum picked a camera up for the first time in his school years, before experimenting with different styles at college and university. He started work as a filmmaker after returning home, whilst developing his skills in landscape photography over time. For a few years, he dedicated most evenings to capturing Jersey’s beautiful coastlines, enjoying the challenge of finding unique ways to capture nature’s ever-changing moods and scenery. He said “my photography style focuses on creating emotive, story-driven imagery, using vibrant colours and a minimalistic approach. Each element is intentional, emphasising simplicity while bringing the narrative and emotions to the forefront of my work”.
“On the evening of October’s Aurora, I saw posts and images in a Jersey Weather group I recently joined about a high KP index – alongside the AuroraWatch app – confirming that the Aurora would be visible. Around 9pm, I made a last-minute decision to head to Don Hilton (White House) in St Ouen. By the time I arrived, the Aurora was already in full display, and there were hardly any others around during the early part of the night. I was able to capture some shots, and witnessing such a rare sight this far south felt like an incredible privilege. The vibrant array of colours the Aurora produced was breathtaking and something I never thought I would experience in Jersey”.
