From the photographer:
Victoria, Australia.
"There was a lot of anticipation for this special night, as everyone knew it would be a spectacular event. This gave photographers plenty of time to prepare. I wanted to create something unique, focusing on framing and the foreground. I chose Gibson Steps, away from city lights, as my location. The beach was crowded with photographers and onlookers because the aurora would be visible to the naked eye.
I started shooting on the beach but later moved to a cave at the beach’s end, where I had planned to capture the Milky Way rising within the frame. Although the aurora dimmed slightly, the cave was familiar, and I knew exactly where to position myself. Suddenly, vibrant beams appeared, visible to the naked eye, creating a magical moment for everyone.
My shot stands out because I faced east, capturing beams at a unique angle. Due to the bright beams, I couldn’t track the Milky Way, so this composition is a single exposure for both the foreground and sky."
