Geneseo photographer Keith Walters had long imagined what it would be like to photograph the aurora borealis over the bridge that spans the Genesee River gorge in Letchworth State Park. But for as long as he has thought about it, he also thought it impossible.

Then came Friday night and the strongest magnetic storm in more than 20 years. The storm painted the night sky with a vibrant mix of purple, green, pink and blue hues across Upstate New York. In the GLOW region, shutterbugs traveled to picturesque spots or captured the phenomena from their own backyards.