Dark sky crossed by colorful chinks of light dancing in the area of the nightly frozen landscape is the view that became an inspiration for many northern legends. An Aurora is undoubtedly one of the most vital reasons to visit rough climate countries and it is also a great challenge for photographers. Although taking photos of Northern Lights is quite demanding, it’s worth trying.

Take a glance at this short guide about preparation for shooting the aurora borealis.

Perfect timing

There are two kinds of news about the time when Northern Lights appear. The good one – the best time to see the aurora is between autumnal and vernal equinoxes and it’s quite a long period. The worse one is about the unpredictability. It is such a moody natural phenomenon so use the aurora forecasts to plan the trip but keep in mind that it might not occur during the expected night.
In general, visibility the Northern Lights depends on a few weather factors such as air humidity and cloudiness.

It’s better to observe the aurora during the dry dark nights when the sky is clean between 6 pm and 1 pm.

Source: http://aarontlf.photler.com/

Place

A will to capture the aurora is a wonderful occasion to plan a remarkable journey to lands that would dazzle you with their unspoilt nature. It’s an opportunity to admire the varied relief of Iceland and its unpredictable weather changes. Aurora borealis can be seen from any point on the island and there are also cruises for those who are keen on wildlife to kill two birds with one stone and meet narwhals while watching the Northern Lights. Another appealing spot is Tromsø in Norway. You can choose a picturesque area near the Inari lake in Finland as your destination, spend the night in the glass igloo in Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort or take a trip to Sweden, Faroe Islands or Russia.

The most convenient places to monitor the polar lights are usually located inland. But you can also see it on the seashore if the air is clear and cloudless. Avoid areas illuminated by electric or moonlight. It’s better to get away from the towns.

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Practical tips

Precise planning is good but not always effective. Especially when it comes to such a capricious phenomenon so stay patient and focused. Try to arrive a couple of days in advance or stay a bit longer to increase your chances to take a photo of the aurora. Stay patient and focused.
Check, if you have all necessary stuff before leaving. Besides several layers of warm clothes and spare batteries, a solid tripod is needed. Make sure that the one you use will stay stable even in harsh and frequently changeable weather conditions. A remote trigger can be useful to avoid shaking the camera. Pay attention to the quality of the equipment. Use the digital single-lens reflex camera with a wide aperture (F 2.8 or wider) that help you catch the largest possible amount of light. Don’t be afraid of experimenting with ISO settings to achieve an intended effect. Enjoy the process of photo shooting.

Source: http://aarontlf.photler.com/

It’s understandable that the summer is more encouraging and pleasant for the vast majority of  people but aurora is a pretty good incentive to leaving your cosy and comfy room for a while. Even a few days holiday spending on exploration corners remote from the big city bustle will cheer you up for the rest of this gloomy season.

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