Tasmanian photographer Matthew Bissett’s ‘amazing’ aurora australis experience at Kettering

A photographer has captured a selection of breathtaking pictures of the aurora australis, venturing to a southern Tasmanian town to observe the spectacular phenomenon. SEE THE PHOTOS >

Photographer Matthew Bissett’s phone lit up with notifications on Thursday, all of them telling him the same thing – the aurora australis would be visible from parts of southern Tasmania that evening.

And so the 31-year-old ventured to Kettering about 8.30pm with his friend, Nathan Lau, a fellow photographer. Upon arriving, the pair sat down on a jetty and started furiously snapping pictures of the breathtaking light show in the sky.

After about three hours, they drove to the summit of kunanyi/Mount Wellington to take yet more photos and didn’t get home until 1.15am.

Mr Bissett, of Bridgewater, said seeing the aurora first-hand was “amazing”.

Aurora as seen from Kettering. Picture: Matthew Bissett/MJB Photography

“It’s extremely impressive,” he said. “Just sitting back, especially when it’s powerful enough that you can see the glow … and colour.”

Mr Bissett regularly monitors social media for any news about the natural phenomenon and has four different aurora apps on his phone.

He urged Tasmanians to seek out the aurora if they could.

Aurora as seen from kunanyi/Mount Wellington. Picture: Matthew Bissett/MJB Photography

“I’d highly recommend it to anyone,” Mr Bissett said.

Mr Bissett, who runs his own photography business called MJB Photography, said if people wanted to take pictures of the aurora with their phone, they would be wise to use a tripod to prevent camera shake.

“With the correct settings and a tripod, you’re set,” he said.

Aurora as seen from Kettering jetty. Picture: Matthew Bissett/MJB Photography

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