How To See And Photograph The Northern Lights

1. Timing: The best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is from September to April when the nights are darkest. The peak season is in the winter months when there are longer hours of darkness. To check the forecast you can use Aurora Forecast or the Aurora App(ios) / Aurora App (Android)

2. Location: Choose a location away from city lights. Reykjavik, the capital, is beautiful, but light pollution can hinder your view of the lights. Head to more remote areas for better visibility.

3. Weather Forecast: Check the weather forecast and the aurora forecast for cloud cover and aurora activity. Websites and apps can provide up-to-date information.

4. Dark Skies: Wait for a clear, moonless night with a dark sky. Moonlight can interfere with the visibility of the Northern Lights.

5. Patience: Be prepared to spend several hours outdoors, as the Northern Lights can be elusive and may not appear right away.

6. Warm Clothing: Dress warmly in multiple layers, as you'll be standing outside for a while. Don't forget insulated boots, gloves, and a hat.

7. Camera Equipment: To capture the Northern Lights, you'll need a camera with manual settings, a sturdy tripod, and a wide-angle lens with a fast aperture (f/2.8 or lower). A remote shutter release is also handy to minimize camera shake.

8. Camera Settings:Set your camera to manual mode. Use a low ISO setting (usually around 800 to 1600) to reduce noise. Open your aperture to its widest setting (e.g., f/2.8 or lower). Experiment with shutter speed, typically ranging from 5 to 30 seconds, depending on the brightness of the lights. Start with 15 seconds and adjust from there. Disable image stabilization if you have it on your lens or camera. Use manual focus. Set your lens to infinity, but also take a test shot to ensure sharp focus.

9. Compose Your Shot: Aim to include an interesting foreground, such as a mountain, lake, or building. This adds depth and context to your Northern Lights photos.

10. Use a Remote Shutter Release: To minimize camera shake when pressing the shutter button, use a remote shutter release or the camera's timer function.

11. Capture in RAW: Shoot in RAW format to have more flexibility in post-processing your images.

12. Bracket Your Shots: Take multiple shots at different exposure settings to ensure you capture the best possible image. Bracketing can help you later in post-processing.

13. Avoid Light Pollution: Shield your camera and your eyes from any nearby light sources, including flashlights, car headlights, and phone screens.

14. Stay Patient and Enjoy the Moment: While capturing stunning photos is great, don't forget to take a moment to simply enjoy the beauty of the Northern Lights. Sometimes, it's better to put the camera down and soak in the experience.

15. Post-Processing: In post-processing, you can adjust exposure, contrast, and colors to enhance your Northern Lights photos. Be mindful not to over-edit; the goal is to represent what you saw accurately.

Remember that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and their appearance is not guaranteed. However, following these tips and being patient can increase your chances of witnessing and capturing this awe-inspiring display in the Icelandic night sky.