Is this photo real?

[bibblebub]

From the Guardian's Eyewitness series:

http://www.guardian.c...ern-lights-eyewitness (you can click on the pic to zooom in)

The chalets and snow just look a bit artificial - or am I too sceptical?

[mxyzptlk]

Look ok to me

[bibblebub]

ok - i suppose it is timelapse at night, after all

[snags]

The image looks 'enhanced' to me... the snow on the roofs looks too perfect...

[pa___ul3]

look good to me too! Ace shot!

[bibblebub]

it's now 2-2

[mazie]

The snow looks like royal icing to me, a bit too perfect but I suppose it depends on the temperature

[NazNomad]

So the stars shining behind the Aurora would appear to be as bright as the ones in total blackness?

I don't think the foreground, the night sky, and the aurora are 'one picture' ... my guess is that it's a composite.

[McMouse]

Seen similar in Finland.

[seadogg]

Snow is fine for frozen snow and the aurora light from ionising radiation wouldn't have much effect on star brightness. As to the houses, the Scandinavians can be infuriatingly tidy. The port area of Kiruna is not so chocolate box though.

[LoftyLottie]

Enhanced I would say

http://media-cdn.trip...n-lights-campside.jpg

[tonymclark]

With that much light on the ground, you wouldn't see the stars.

The trees have a slight outline round them, it looks to me as if the night sky has been added to the landscape.

[gina32]

very heavy snow but none on the trees?

[scotman]

I would go for a composite as well.

[bibblebub]

Thank you all for your replies, and I do apologise for incorrectly calling it a timelapse photo.

[pips1]

For the record it looks false to me - too perfect!