A Photographic Adventure
Iceland in November is a photographer’s dream and a warm weather enthusiast’s nightmare. This year, the buzz about the Northern Lights was everywhere—thanks to particularly favorable solar activity. But here’s the reality: capturing the aurora borealis requires more than just excitement and a good camera. It takes patience, preparation, and a sprinkle of luck.
The Elusive Dance of the Lights
To see the Northern Lights, everything needs to align. The skies must be clear, and a solar storm must be active. You also have to be awake at just the right time. On this trip, I got lucky twice.
The first night, the lights appeared modestly—shimmering faintly in the sky. It was a thrill, but nothing could prepare me for what came next. On the fourth night of our trip, I woke up around 2 a.m., stepped outside, and found myself surrounded by a breathtaking display. The lights danced across the sky in vivid greens, purples, and whites, swirling like cosmic paintbrush strokes. It felt as if the universe was putting on a private show, just for us. Sadly, there was no compelling foreground available in the vicinity and we did not feel like driving somewhere.
The Other Side of the Lights
What no one tells you is that hunting for the Northern Lights is cold. Standing in the still, freezing night air, you become acutely aware of every degree below zero. Fingers go numb, camera batteries drain faster, and every gust of wind feels sharper. But somehow, all of it becomes part of the adventure.
Also, keep in mind that the photos look more amazing than what you actually get to see. Camera sensors do make the aurora look really good. It’s not nearly this intense when you look at it.
Last but not least, make sure that your camera equipment is setup for success. I dial in everything inside. There is nothing worse than fiddling with your camera outside in the cold.
Capturing the Magic
For those wondering about the technical side, here’s how I captured these unforgettable moments:
- Camera: Fujifilm X-T5
- Lens: Fujinon 14mm f/2.8
- Settings: 20-second exposure, ISO 3200
The wide-angle lens at f/2.8 allowed me to capture as much light as possible, while the high ISO brought out the auroras’ vivid colors. The long exposure time smoothed out the motion of the lights into silky trails of color. I also ran the RAW files through the Adobe Lightroom denoise algorithm. The resulting image files are simply amazing.
For the timelapse, I relied on the GoPro Hero 13, set to NightLapse mode. It was the perfect tool to capture the lights’ evolving patterns over time, turning the sky into a dynamic canvas.
Final Thoughts
Photographing the Northern Lights is more than just taking pictures; it’s a cool and unique experience. Iceland’s November nights may test your endurance, but the reward is well worth it—a fleeting, magical moment when the sky comes alive. But keep in mind – our eyes do not see the full range of amazing colors that the sensors of our cameras see. It’s easy to be underwhelmed.
If you’re planning your own aurora adventure, remember: patience and preparation are key. And when the moment comes, don’t forget to simply look up and enjoy the wonder of it all.
