The Aurora and the Night Sky

The Aurora and the Night Sky

Author: Steve Brazill December 19, 2019 Duration: 50:50

If you saw my review on this year’s Photoshop World, the Las Vegas edition, you may remember today’s guest. During that show I mentioned that my favorite part of any conference is the social aspect, the ability to meet seemly random people that end up becoming business associates, and often friends. This is the case with Dave Williams.

During that week I was interviewing people at the show, and while standing in a hallway I asked two people if I could ask them some questions, and they kindly said yes. Before this chance meeting I was aware of Dave Williams, due to his work with KelbyOne, but I really didn’t know it was him when I asked for that interview. He was with Sian Elizabeth and they were so fun to talk with and interview. It was Sian’s first time at the event, and I quickly noticed Dave’s instructor badge. I had never really thought about Photoshop World instructors, like Dave, attending other people’s classes until that moment. Here’s a guy that is an amazing photographer, author, blogger and educator that is still hungry to learn more. That instantly struck me as the kind of person I want to learn from.

Later that week I was lucky enough to be invited to a dinner being put on by Platypod. I knew there would be a selection of people from the show there, and Platypod is one of my favorite companies, but at that dinner I had another chance meeting with Dave and Sian. To be honest, I am always a bit uncomfortable at these types of events. I look up to the people there, people like Dave, and Dr T from Platypod, and Larry Becker etc, so I always feel like it was a mistake I was invited. By the end of the dinner I knew Dave was one of those people I looked forward to getting to know better over time. Just a great guy.

If you ask Dave Williams, the Travel Photographer extraordinaire, about himself he will tell you he loves coffee and burgers. Let me go a bit deeper. Dave’s work has been featured in publications and campaigns for clients including Time, National Geographic, Lonely Planet, Forbes, Boeing, Huawei, Microsoft, Triumph, and Shell to name a few.

You can find Dave’s tutorials and writings in various places, and I have the links below, but many will know him the same way I did, his class at KelbyOne, his writings for Photoshop User Magazine and ScottKelby.com, and through Photoshop World.

Join renowned travel photographer Dave Williams and me as we chat about capturing not only the Aurora Borealis, but the night sky too, and this episode of Behind the Shot.

Connect with Dave

Website: idavewilliams.com
Facebook: @idvaewilliams
Twitter: @idvaewilliams
Instagram: @idvaewilliams

KelbyOne

Dave Williams on KelbyOne

Dave’s Aurora Book

Amazon: The Complete Aurora Guide: for Travelers and Photographers

TipSquirrel

tipsquirrel.com/author/dave-williams/


Steve Brazill hosts Behind the Shot-Video, a series that goes far beyond gear lists and camera settings. Each conversation is a deep exploration of the creative and technical journey behind compelling images. You’ll hear working photographers unpack the entire process-from the initial spark of an idea and the challenges of the location to the critical decisions made in post-production. This podcast sits at the unique intersection of art and practical technology, offering tangible lessons for anyone looking to improve their visual storytelling. Rather than abstract theory, these discussions provide a real-world look at problem-solving under pressure and the artistic choices that define a signature style. Tune in for honest, detailed breakdowns that reveal how memorable shots are truly built, layer by layer. It’s an essential resource for visual artists seeking both inspiration and actionable knowledge, all grounded in the lived experience of accomplished creators.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 200

Behind the Shot - Video
Podcast Episodes
Remote Cameras at Weddings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
I’ve always been fascinated by the use of Remote Cameras, but it’s not something I’ve had the chance to try, unfortunately. The last time I cover it on the show was on the episode Using Remote Cameras with Canon Explorer…
Elevating Your Photojournalism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
There have been so many times that I’ve made a mental note that I need to include more photojournalism on the show, only to have a mental dog eat my homework. Finally, today, I am checking that off the list. Still, if I’…
Music & Tour Photography [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
To say I’m excited for today’s show is a huge understatement. I first met today’s guest 6 years ago, when our mutual friend Adam Elmakias asked us both to help him with his Live Music Photography Workshop. I’m sure you k…
Light Up Your Adventure Photos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:16
Over the last few years I have been lucky enough to have the agency Wonderful Machine suggest a few photographers for the show, and every single time I’ve been blown away by the level of artists that they represent. Toda…
Light Painting Abandoned Places [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:30
For this show, we have a returning guest, night photographer Ken Lee. I’ve known Ken for awhile, and the way he ended up as a guest for the show Capturing the Slowing of Time is one of my fave Behind the Shot stories. Ke…
Bird Photography Tips & Tricks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:53
I sometimes wonder, while writing these guest photographer posts, how many listeners or viewers actually read them. The truth is it doesn’t matter to me, I write them for myself more than anyone else, and I find that try…
Canon Auto-Focus Explained – 2025 Update [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:10:53
NOTE: This is not an official Canon USA show. This is a podcast first and foremost, available in both audio-only or video, and the video is also placed on YouTube. My hope is that by going through all of the AF options o…
Growing Through Personal Photography Projects [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:59
LA based photographer Ian Spanier has been on the show a few times, with the first being back in 2019 for a conversation about Classic Portraits & Classic Lighting, discussing a portrait of actor Jeff bridges. Next up wa…
Backstage Portraits [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:56
Social media today can be so draining, but almost daily I am reminded of the wonderful connections I’ve made there, and today’s guest is a perfect example. Jenn Devereaux is a New Orleans area concert and event photograp…
Using the New Canon R1 & R5 Mark II [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:36
I’m a Canon shooter… I shoot an R6 and an R5. So, I have been curious about the new Canon R1, and a little less so about the R5 Mark II. Still, I had written off watching the announcement, because it was at something lik…