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The ‘unforgettable enigma’ captured on camera
Josh Dury has described the “unforgettable moment” he took a photo that has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.
The Chew Valley-based astronomer and photographer has dedicated his life to documenting the night skies, but he hadn’t picked up a camera for six months before taking the shot of the Callanish Stone Circle against the backdrop of the Milky Way.
His piece, titled The Enigma of the North, has been shortlisted for this year’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year Competition.
is needed now More than ever
The landscape astrophotographer seeks to create public awareness through photography of our ever evolving view of the universe and highlight the dangers of light pollution.
Josh Dury hadn’t picked up a camera for six months before taking the shot of the Callanish Stone Circle – photo: Josh Dury
His work has been shortlisted from some 4,000 entries and he said the experience has been an emotional one.
“When I captured this image, I had not picked up a camera in over six months,” Josh tells Bristol24/7.
“I did not know what the result would be but the one thing I knew is that I wanted to give it my all. I had an opportunity and I took it.”
It was last year when Josh took the stunning shot. He received a number of notifications that the Northern Lights would be visible and set out for the site of the megalithic structure on The Isle of Lewis.
“Walking alone along a cobbled road, the light pollution began to fade away and it felt as if the universe was coming down on me,” he remembers.
“The skies were remaining clear and the moon was out of the way – this would give me a moment that I would never forget. Never before had I seen the arms of the Milky Way in so much clarity. So much so, the major constellations of the night sky were not discernable.”
The photographer took a few test shots using a wide angle lens and said he was amazed at what came next.
“The beautiful turquoise tones of the night sky amazed me and the unprecedented detail in the arms of the Milky Way,” says Josh.
“I soon learned that air glow was visible in my image, where light was passing through the Earth’s atmosphere resulting in this majestic visual appearance. Then, low on the northern horizon, I could see the Northern Lights were visible. I was awestruck by what I was seeing. The Northern Lights from the most northerly fringes of the United Kingdom, it is a moment I will never forget, seeing pink, purple and green curtains evolving along the northern horizon.”
Josh adds that he’s delighted to be putting the South West on the map in the competition, which will see the winning photos displayed as part of a year-long exhibition at The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.
Main photo: Josh Dury
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