How To Photograph the Northern Lights In Lapland
Last Updated on October 24, 2024 by Erin Donahue
Picture this, it’s so dark that you can’t see your hand in front of you, but you’re standing beneath a sky ablaze with undulating ribbons of green. Suppose you’re lucky, maybe even pink, purple, or blue. The air is crisp, the night is silent, and nature’s most spectacular light show unfolds above you.
This, my friends, is the magic of the Northern Lights. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast or just someone who wants to witness this celestial spectacle, stick around because I’m about to share everything I know about photographing the Northern Lights!
How Northern Lights Occur
Most people associate the Northern Lights with winter, but here’s a little secret the experts know: the most active seasons are autumn and spring. Why? Because of Earth’s orientation towards the sun. During these seasons, our planet’s position maximizes the probability of solar flares interacting with the magnetic field, creating this mesmerizing phenomenon.
On average, the Northern Lights are most active between 10 pm and 2 am, which is also why I prefer chasing the lights in autumn. You still get longer daylight, and those beautiful dark skies, but without the bone-chilling cold of winter. Standing in freezing temps is not the vibe. The main caveat to this of course is there won’t be any snow-capped mountains or fields as foreground. But for me, that’s something I’m fine foregoing. Miss me with that!
2024 through 2026 is also an exciting time because solar activity is expected to increase at the peak of Solar Cycle 25. The cycle can create a jump in sunspots and geomagnetic storms that could contribute to stronger aurora forecasts, which we saw in May and October 2024. I even photographed and saw the Northern Lights in New York City with my naked eye, something I thought was impossible because of all the light pollution!
Best Places To See the Northern Lights
For this trip, I ventured to Rovaniemi, Finland, the heart of Lapland. It wasn’t my first rodeo in the Arctic Circle, though. I’ve previously chased the lights in Narvik, Norway, and Abisko, Sweden. Each location has its charm, but let me tell you because most people don’t know this unless you actively research like I do, Abisko is low-key considered one of the best spots due to its unique microclimate that often results in clear skies. There’s an 80% chance you’ll see the Northern Lights in Abisko if you stay there for at least three days.
Tromsø in Norway is another hotspot, and of course, there’s Rovaniemi. But here’s the thing: if you’re anywhere above the Arctic Circle, you’ve got a good chance of seeing the lights at some point. Personally, I prefer Europe for Northern Lights chasing. It’s more economical and, believe it or not, often warmer compared to Alaska or Canada. But don’t rule those out – they’re on my bucket list too!
Camera Gear
For this trip, I decided to upgrade my gear. While I love my Sony a7III, I wanted something that could handle extreme low-light situations for both photo and video. After much deliberation, I rented the Sony a7SIII. It’s a beast in low light, which is crucial when you’re shooting in near-total darkness.
For my lens, I went with the Sigma 14mm f/1.4. Why? Because when you’re trying to capture the vastness of the night sky, you need to go as wide as possible. The f/1.4 aperture lets in slightly more light than Sony’s 14mm f/1.8, which can make a huge difference when you’re pushing your camera to its limits. Fair warning though: when I got the Sigma in the mail, I was flabbergasted! This lens is obnoxiously huge – I hate it. It’s basically the size of a telephoto lens, but with only one function, and it took up so much space in my bag.
I’m almost at the point in my career that I’ll need to start traveling with a Pelican case, or god forbid – start using check-in!
Camera Settings
Now that we’ve got our gear sorted, let’s dive into the heart of Northern Lights photography – the camera settings. This is where the magic happens – Get these right, and you’ll be capturing images that’ll make your Instagram followers green with envy (pun intended).
But remember, photographing the Aurora is like trying to catch lightning in a bottle – it requires a delicate balance of technical know-how and a bit of luck. So, let’s break down the settings for both photos and videos.
Photo Settings
For photos, these are just starting points. Similar to other long exposure stuff I’ve talked about, you’ll need to adjust based on the intensity of the lights and the ambient light in your environment.
- Aperture: As wide as possible (f/1.4 in my case)
- Shutter Speed: Start with 1 second
- ISO: Begin at 1600-3200 and adjust as needed
Video Settings
For video, this is where things get tricky. Normally, we follow the 180-degree shutter rule which is a standard to achieve natural-looking motion blur in video by doubling the shutter speed to the frame rate.
For example, if FPS is 24 then the shutter speed is 1/50, if FPS is 30 then the shutter is 1/60, etc., etc. you get the idea. In the dark Arctic night though, we need to break some rules.
- Aperture: Wide open
- Shutter Speed: Set it to match your frame rate (e.g., 1/24 for 24 FPS)
- ISO: Prepare to push your camera to its limits. I had to crank mine up to 80,000!
Yes, you heard that right – ISO 80,000. I’ve never used such a high ISO in my life, but this is precisely why I brought the a7SIII, and I was quite impressed with the output. Don’t be afraid of noise – just lean into it.
You’re Ready to Photograph The Northern Lights
Now that you’re armed with all this knowledge about timing, location, gear, and settings, you might think you’re guaranteed to capture the perfect Aurora shot. However, and this is what makes Northern Lights photography so exhilarating, there’s always an element of unpredictability. Which brings me to my final thoughts on this incredible adventure.
Photographing the Northern Lights is as much about patience and perseverance as it is about technical know-how. Some nights, you might stand in the cold for hours and see nothing but a starry sky. Other nights, the heavens might explode into a symphony of colors that leaves you scrambling for your camera and fumbling with your settings. Remember, no photo or video can truly capture the magic of seeing the Aurora with your own eyes. So while you’re out there with your camera, don’t forget to take a moment to simply look up and marvel at one of nature’s most spectacular shows dancing above you.
Have you ever seen the Northern Lights? Drop a comment below and let me know about your experience. If you’re planning a trip to chase the Aurora, let me know where you’re headed!
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