I drove to Crater Lake National Park on the night of May 31, 2013 to photograph the Milky Way rising above the rim. I’ve waited months for the roads to open and spring storms to pass, so I could spend a solitude night with the stars. Near 11pm, I was staring upward towards a clear night sky when suddenly, without warning, an unmistakable faint glow of the aurora borealis began erupting in front of me. I quickly packed up my gear, hiked down to my truck, and sped to a north facing location. With adrenaline pumping, I raced to the edge of the caldera, set up a time-lapse sequence, and watched the northern lights dance until sunrise. The moon rose around 2am and blanketed the surrounding landscape with a faint glow, adding depth and texture to the shot. The last image in the sequence above shows the route of the International Space Station (ISS) which flew over at 2:35am.
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Please feel free to share #withoutwarning
Music composed by Ben Beiny entitled, “The Right Moment”
Thank you everyone,
Brad Goldpaint
No motion control systems were used during the production of this time-lapse. We are actively seeking various marketing partnerships to strategically promote and develop, specialized photography equipment used in the field. If you are interested in soliciting your product with Goldpaint Photography, please contact us at info@goldpaintphotography.com.
33 Responses
Absolutely amazing. Continue to follow your spirit. God bless.
Thank you, Denise!
Thank you for recording the beauty of God’s celestial creation. I look forward to seeing more of your work.
I feel like a dunce, but I cannot comprehend how you could get the trail of the ISS without any other items showing a trail. I’m assuming this is a composite/software enhanced video/image set?
Dear Brad,
Every time I watch one of your time lapse videos, I find my eyes welling up from the pure joy and beauty you so graciously share with us. Amazing. Spectacularly beautiful. God knows, we need more beauty in the world and thankfully you are incredibly talented enough to share some of it with us. Thank you so much. You made my day and evening!
This gave me chills!! Thank you so much for your expertise and sharing of it.
Here in coastal, southwest FL our night skies are just too light-polluted to display the majesty of the heavens as evidenced in your thoughtfully and carefully executed photography. Since we cannot all see such breath-taking beauty in our “back yards”, I am grateful that we bave your images and videos as inspiring references. And, I think the next logical step is to consider a hands-on workshop on location! There is truly nothing as exhilarating, breat-taking, and humbling as the large landscape under a star-packed, glistening sky. Thanks for sharing, Brad!
It is my absolute pleasure Ross and thank you for stopping by. We will have more options next year so you can experience this beauty with me. More details coming soon.
Thank you for sharing. Beautiful photos as usual. Saw Crater Lake in 1970 what a
special sight when you drive up the mountain and see it for the first time. So this
brought back special memories. Thanks, L.
Glad to hear Lucy! It is definitely one of my favorite locations to shoot here in the Pacific Northwest.
Phenomenal! Do you ever feel that God is painting a picture just for you?
All the time Tabitha!
Thank You! Only one word for your work. (WOW).
What Great Photos,I love those unexpected surprises
When I am looking though my Lens.
I feel this is why it never gets old Don. There’s always going to be unexpected surprises when you’re out there.
Brad,
I’m a retired photojournalist and photographer for more than 50 years. I not only appreciate the beauty of your Crater Lake time lapse, but I also know, respect, and fully appreciate your creativity, and the time and dedication it takes to do this kind of work. It’s inspiring to an old photo dog. Thank you.
Thank you so much for the BEAUTIFUL photography….how blessed you are to have been in the right place at the right time…I’m sure the wait was worth every moment.
I feel very fortunate Regina! Not only to see the aurora, but to capture the experience. Thanks for stopping by.
You are treasure in my neighbor’s backyard! I have not picked up a camera for over 20 years since my faithful Nikon died a brutal death. But having seen the NBC coverage of your video over Crater Lake and finding your website and my husband just returning from a photo-hike trip to Zion (with a new DSLR), I have been moved to pick up a camera again (my husband may have to share his equipment). Neither of us are adept and more accurately are barely familiar with the digital technology applications now available, but your work, your artistry, has inspired me!
Thank you for sharing Patrice. My hope has always been to inspire others to ‘look up’ once in a while; there is endless beauty passing overhead each night. If interested, next year we’re planning to teach workshops in a variety of locations (https://goldpaintphotography.com/workshops).
Amazing work, Brad! I’m retiring in Portland, OR soon and looking forward to discover the beauty of the state. I’m originally from Brazil – if you don’t mind, I’d love to share the picture with my folks back home…
Thank you Keo. Please feel free to share.
I had no idea the aurora borealis could be seen here. These shots are amazing and a calendar might be in order. Beautiful!!! The Space Station is just an extra plus!!
Thank you Lori! I couldn’t agree more.
Absolutely incredible video and images Brad! I so want to learn how to shoot the night sky!! Thanks for sharing it with us!
Thank you so much Patricia!
Good morning Brad,
I’m just getting into time-lapse and ordered a set up from DP. Is it possible to for you to share your camera and slider settings?
Thanks,
Bruce
Hi Bruce, No motion control systems were used during the production of this time-lapse.
Great imaging and wonderful good fortune. So great you were out there to capture such a beautiful event. Thanks for sharing it so quickly! Really wonderful.
Thank you Steve! Much appreciated.
Bravo and congratulations!
Thank you!
Brad, as usual freakin awesome!! I wish there is some glow next week.
Thank you for stopping by Sunil! Fingers crossed for next weekend.