It has become a ‘bucket list’ desire to see the aurora borealis or northern lights for many people. However it is not always easy to see them. The first thing you need is clear skies, which is certainly not guaranteed in the Arctic in winter. If you are lucky enough to see the lights do remember that long exposure digital photography has helped to make them look brighter in photographs than they appear to your eyes. Once you keep this in mind seeing the lights is a privileged experience. And if you are lucky enough to see the dancing lights, you are experiencing one of the natural wonders of the world.
If you are going on a trip to look for the lights and hope to photograph them, do make sure you learn how to use your camera first!
These are my images taken in northern Norway while working as a northern lights guide for a winter season. The beautiful island of Senja allowed for some amazing foregrounds for the dancing lights above.
You might notice a couple that do not look like northern lights. These are ‘rainbow clouds’ also taken in northern Norway in winter. Polar stratospheric clouds, as they are termed happen during the day very occasionally when conditions are just right. They are absolutely incredible.
