Nature’s magic caught on camera

Grant Birley is a keen photographer and has lived on Hibiscus Coast for more than 17 years. Although he has always been passionate about photography, about seven years ago he began to pursue the hobby seriously, he says.

He is building a strong portfolio and recently his blended image of teens doing backflips against a full moon rising won the New Zealand Astrophotography People’s Choice award.

“I decided I liked the allure of nightscape photography over daytime photography. Photography is purely a hobby for me and with my busy work schedule and a very understanding wife, being a nightscape photographer gives me the freedom to still get out there and follow my passion.”

On a clear night, you’ll find Birley out under the stars, seeking the perfect shot.

“Witnessing and photographing sunrises has always been a passion of mine and so with the spectacular sunrises we get along our coast, it was only natural for me to be drawn to capture those too. Being awake at 4am every day tends to help too. I am very passionate about aurora and bioluminescence photography in particular.”

 Unfortunately, being so far north means there are few opportunities to photograph the aurora, but fortunately for Grant, the “Aurora of the Sea” or bioluminescence frequents our shores, he says.

“While as unpredictable, fickle and as tough to capture as aurora, we tend to get a few more opportunities of capturing that rather than the Southern Lights. The only down side is that sleep becomes an afterthought but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Check out Birley’s website and social feeds for more of his images and advice on photographing the bioluminescence: Instagram @ chasing_horizonz_ • https://chasing-horizonz.smugmug.com • https://birley1.wixsite.com/chasinghorizonz