My Aurora Smartphone Learning...

My Aurora Smartphone Learning...

I always had my eyes looking to the night sky, ever since I was a little girl my father used to always say, “she’s got her eyes glued to the sky again” It was actually his fault. He was a sailor and always taught me the constellations in the night sky to help navigate around. I would stare in wonder at it all. There was a certain magic to it. So to find myself being an avid Northern Lights chaser for now 13 years is no surprise when I think of it.

So, to have spent a month in Scandinavia to help others capture the magic and see the dance of Lady Aurora isn’t a surprise to those the know me. I did several group tours for people and all with the same goal, to see the dance of the aurora. Now the key to being in the Arctic Circle is being prepared for the colder temperatures. You need several more batteries charged up for your cameras and a whole kit of items to make sure you are able to handle the long standing in the snow and cold at double digit negative degrees! So, one of the key things I noted in my guiding advert was that I can help you take photos with your smartphone as well. Not a lot of guides know how to do that but with the connection I have in being the Scottish Highlands Smartphone Safari guide, I had a clue on several models and tips.

My first group out was 5 people from France, they were young and staying in a local hostel but were sad that they were leaving without a chance to see the Northern Lights. We were eating in a café and I asked them what they were doing after. They had no plans so I took them out to a spot with less light pollution and I showed them how to ‘see’ the Northern Lights. You see, you can’t just look out and expect to see them straight away, it takes adjustment to the dark and knowing what you are looking for but once you see them, you cannot un-see them!

They all only had the latest iPhones and were frustrated thinking they would not be able to capture the lights. Fear not, I told them, we have the power. After walking them through a few steps on composition and variations they could use, they were off on their own to set up their pics. Boy did they deliver som amazing stuff. The Northern Lights that evening weren’t as strong as they were hoping for but they were able to manipulate vantage points to give them a result that was spectacular. This was a gift no just for them but for me as well. To help people see the lights and then capture them in their own bespoke way, well THAT is the best reward for me.

I was in Norway and Sweden and the temperatures can get quite low. In this type of climate I tend to do test shots, to see if the lights are there. Note, when it’s in a substorm, there is a faint arc in the sky and you could easily mistake it for cloud. So I would take my smartphone and hold it up on Night Mode to take a test picture. In my first 9 days there I had full moon going into 50% moon which actually helps with foreground on the photos of the Northern Lights. I have to say this one evening I got the most amazing photo and it was with my smartphone! The quality of the photo is just as nice as the ones I get with my DSLR. To say you cannot capture a night photo with your smartphone just isn’t really accurate. For the older phones there are apps you can install to optimize your camera settings and allow you to capture the Northern Lights nicely. If those apps produce a low level photo, then there are also ways to edit the photo to pull out what you actually saw. This was the fun I had with my clients on the tours. We were able to really get each person creating a memorable occasion. But I had to remind people to step back and just watch for a little bit because it is the most amazing thing to enjoy.

So, if you have a phone that has Pro settings, these are my tips: High ISO (3200/6400 or higher), speed of 4-10 seconds and f2.8/3.2/3.6/4.0 if possible (the lower this number the better) and most important, a tripod! There are some inexpensive mobile phone tripods available that I highly recommend getting them with a holder that wrks for any model. You have to have a steady hand and if you think you can hold it still the camera doesn’t lie! You won’t regret that. If you don’t have pro settings but you have night mode, this is a great option too. Again, need a tripod, it will be a big help. If no tripod, get something to prop the phone safely on. I recommend bringing a small holder or wedge that you could put the phone on and it will keep it still to put on the roof of a car or on a post to place. Some phones have night mode with variations on the time, 3 seconds up to 30 seconds. Start with 5 seconds and if it is too dark, raise the time. Don’t be afraid to experiment. More top tips can be gotten from you Smartphone Safari guide. There are so many fun ways to capture the dance of Lady Aurora and the MOST important part of this is to have fun doing it!

Key items for time out in the winter photographing the Northern Lights:

• Hand warmers/toe warmers

• Merino wool tops/trousers

• Wool clothes everything!

•  Wool wool wool.

Written by Lisa, Jet Black Squares Highlands

Jet Black Squares Sligo - The Story So Far...

It has been about a year, roughly, since I (Paul) joined Jet Black Squares and in that time I have carried out a number of safaris. Each one has been distinct in its own way but each one has been with different people joining the safari for various reasons. For some it has been an anniversary present, for others to visit places they haven’t been to before and for a few to meet new people, but all have been because they are interested in photography. And, really, that’s why we’re all here, isn’t it? We love photography. The fact that we can now take photos so easily and with minimal equipment makes it so much more exciting.

I have been taking photos on and off for all my adult life but prior to joining JBS I wasn’t actually doing that much photography. Like everyone else I took ‘snaps’ with my smartphone, I never took out my bulky SLR on our dog walks. I very rarely, if ever, edited the photos I took because I seldom looked at them after taking them, they just languished in Google Photos jail for ever after. Joining JBS re-ignited the spark of creativity for me; I learned that smartphones are very well suited to macro shots and even more so when using a clip-on lens. I learned that most images are made in the edit, so taking a short while to make changes in Snapseed enhanced my pictures dramatically. I also found that wherever I go I am always looking for ‘that shot’, an image that I can make into something I am pleased with or even proud of. I started the JBS Instagram account for Sligo and so far have posted 366 times with very often more than 5 images per post. It’s a lot! But I must say that many of the images I post I am really proud of (others not so much) and I am really pleased to be able to show off just what you can do with a smartphone. I think the fact that we at JBS (the associates) are all working within the confines of the smartphone camera with all it’s limitations make the images we post all the more exceptional. Instagram shows us plenty of photographers’ images made with all the best and most expensive cameras and editing software but to produce great images with your phone and a free editing app is very satisfying.

During 2024 I have made lots of connections with local people and businesses who are interested in what we do. This has been through attending Failte Ireland tourism seminars where I have been introduced to individuals passionate about bringing tourism into Sligo and the North-West, and who see JBS Smartphone Safaris as one of the attractions that will be available to those who visit. These connections are vital. Leafleting and word-of-mouth are both valid forms of promotion but having people in your corner who want you to do well are to be cherished and nurtured.

I am looking forward to 2025 with optimism and excitement. I am also reflecting on the last twelve months as the period where JBS Sligo has been getting a foothold in the area and becoming ‘known’, all good groundwork for the year ahead. I am starting off the new year by joining Sligo County Council at the RDS in Dublin at the Holiday World Show. There we will be promoting Sligo and all it has to offer. I think it will be a good start to the year, with, I hope, a lot more safaris to look forward to.

Written by Paul, Jet Black Squares Sligo

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year

Just a quick message to say a huge thank you to every person who has supported us over this year. We really do appreciate every single booking, recommendation, review, social media follow - it all helps a small business like ours keep going.

We are very excited for what 2025 will have in store for us!!!

From all the JBS Associates, we wish you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a peaceful New Year.

Q&A with Lee, JBS Associate in Bristol

Lee recently joined Jet Black Sqaures to offer smartphone photography sessions in the Bristol area. This provides him the perfect opportunity to combine two of his passions—walking and photography. Lee is keen to share his love of walking and smartphone photography with people of all ages and abilities and show them how to be creative through the process of taking and editing photos.

We chatted with Lee about his approach to smartphone photography.

WHAT FIRST INTERESTED YOU ABOUT SMARTPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY?

I first got into smartphone photography in 2019. My wife and I are keen walkers, and with our daughter moving to university at that time, we were able to get back into walking in the countryside and by the coast. Having just upgraded my phone at the same time, it was a perfect opportunity to try out the camera. I've been hooked ever since.

What phone do you use, and what are your favourite features?

My phone is a Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G. Although quite old, the camera is still good. I like the 'Portrait' mode and also the x3 telephoto lens which is good for landscape photos.

What’s your favourite location for photography?

Besides Bristol harbourside, my other favourite locations further afield for photography are the mountains and coastline of mid-Wales and the North Devon coastline.

WHY DO YOU LOVE THIS PARTICULAR IMAGE?

This photo was taken earlier this year at Porlock Weir on the North Devon coast. It's one of my favourites because I enjoy taking seascapes and black and white photos, so this combined those two interests perfectly. I also love the composition and the balance between the boats and the house, and the black and white look makes the sky look moody and interesting. Porlock Weir is an amazing place to take photos, and I could spend hours there doing so!

If you would like to find out more about Lee and the smartphone safaris he offers, please click the link below.

Creating engaging photography for your business’s social media

Jet Black Squares Associate Paul, who runs smartphone photography sessions in and around Sligo, was asked by the Radisson Blu if he could run a photography session for staff for their social media promotions. Radisson Blu offers a selection of drinks and cocktails made by professional mixologists in their beautiful setting. The aim of this session was to demonstrate the best use of a smartphone camera to capture the event and drinks photography on the go, which could then be posted to their social media.

Capturing the setting

This session was about capturing not just the eye-catching cocktails but also the atmosphere and setting of the Radisson Blu bar. The aim was to show how smartphone photography could be used to demonstrate the desirability of the venue and its offerings by creating active shots alongside more stylised drinks photography.

Active shots

The active shots focused on the cocktail making, showing off the mixologists' skills as they prepared the drinks. Part of the draw of any good cocktail bar is the performance of the bar staff, which Paul was able to demonstrate through different angles to create a dynamic set of shots.

Focusing of freshness

Freshness was another key feature of the session. Using natural light, Paul captured the vivid colours of the fresh mint and lemon in the drink’s preparation. The polished shine of the glass, alongside the airy atmosphere of the bar, created an inviting feel in the shots.

Stylised shots

Lastly were the cocktails themselves. Paul took several stylised shots of the cocktails in situ, which gave a clear flavour of the experience and comfort a visitor would receive at the Radisson Blu.

Mixing these shots together on the bar’s social media feed would create a rich and inviting narrative about the bar, its staff and their offering to customers.

Find out more

If you would like to learn more about using smartphone photography for your business’s social media promotion, please contact us. We can arrange a tailored session with one of our local Associates.