Last Night I saw the Aurora Borealis for the first time. Truthfully it wasn’t how I imagined it, but it was no less exciting. Returning Home from a Social Evening in the Village the sky was full of soft pale areas. They were like streaks and smudges on clear glass. There was no obvious colour. I can only guess that the level of light pollution suppressed the colours . But when viewed through the process of photography the colours and the darker bands then revealed themselves and it was nothing short of breathtaking. 

I  had no idea that it was likely to occur although it seems it had been widely predicted. The  penny only dropped when  I approached my home. One of my neighbours said excitedly “ its the northern lights”.Simultaneously my phone pinged. It was a message from my son in Australia asking “ are you seeing the northern lights “ 

Duh’ stupid! How is it that the rest of the world knows about this and I’m making my slightly wobbly way back home blissfully unaware of what  I’m actually looking at.

I felt embarrassed and cross with myself because I was not remotely prepared to take advantage of this once in a generation opportunity. Later, when I dialled into instagram it had been set alight. People I follow across the UK, from every corner and peninsula were posting their  spectacular images. It was even bigger than a snow event in the Home Counties. Everyone seemed to have a picture to post. A massive collecctive non denominational celebration. No one told us this was important. It was importantbto us and it turned out everyone felt the same

Just posting to show you had seen it was part of the collective expression of delight. A massively unifying event. No Competition. Often just a frame full of sky. Quality not even remotely a consideration. This is what photography is about on a grand scale. People relating to something that delights (and sometime horrifies) us. But this was definitely in the former camp. So many people just overwhelmed with being able to witness it. Like Getting a Selfie with Taylor Swift (insert superstar of your choice if it isn’t TS) (she wouldn’t be mine but she is the biggest star I can think of right now )

Everyone wants in. Nobody is comparing pics. Few if any would win a photo competition and therein lies the joy of sharing your pictures. It doesn’t  matter what language you speak or what device you took the picture on. 

Now ask yourself a Question. What would this mean without instagram. I have to say that while there are pics in the news many have been culled from Social Media. The explosion on Insta is like Poppy Season on Steroids. It is Fantastic. If you didn’t have Insta you’d be running around showing people on your phone. But would it feel like being part of something the way it does to be on insta and something much bigger. 

Not being Left out. This is that Community aspect that gets talked about. Community is not there for you. Everyone is in and it is for everyone regardless of follower count or ability.

I posted my favourite of the snaps from the back garden to my story. Tonight I will be organised and get out with a Camera. I apologise in advance if my readiness means that nothing happens and I have spoiled it for everyone