How to Photograph Northern Lights in Iceland
Capturing the aurora borealis is a bucket-list experience for many photographers. Here's your complete guide to photographing the Northern Lights in Iceland.
Understanding the Northern Lights
The aurora borealis occurs when charged particles from the sun interact with Earth's atmosphere. In Iceland, the viewing season runs from September to April, with peak activity around the equinoxes.
Camera Equipment
Essential Gear
**Camera**: Full-frame DSLR or mirrorless (best), but any camera with manual controls works**Lens**: Wide-angle (14-24mm) with f/2.8 or faster aperture**Tripod**: Sturdy, preferably carbon fiber for cold weather**Remote shutter release**: Prevents camera shakeNice to Have
Spare batteries (cold drains them quickly)Hand warmers for batteriesHeadlamp with red lightLens clothCamera Settings
Starting Point Settings
**Mode**: Manual (M)**Aperture**: f/2.8 (or widest available)**ISO**: 1600-3200 (adjust based on aurora brightness)**Shutter Speed**: 8-15 seconds for steady aurora, 2-5 seconds for fast-moving**Focus**: Manual, set to infinity**White Balance**: Auto or 3500K**File Format**: RAW for maximum editing flexibilityAdjusting for Conditions
**Bright, active aurora**: Lower ISO (800-1600), faster shutter (2-8 sec)**Faint aurora**: Higher ISO (3200-6400), longer shutter (15-25 sec)**Fast-moving aurora**: Shorter shutter to capture structure (2-5 sec)Best Photography Locations
Near Reykjavik
Grótta Lighthouse (easy access)Þingvellir National Park (dark skies, reflections)Kleifarvatn Lake (atmospheric)South Coast
Seljalandsfoss/Skógafoss (dramatic foregrounds)Reynisfjara Beach (sea stacks)Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (ice reflections)North Iceland
Goðafoss waterfallMývatn area (geothermal features)Akureyri surroundingsKey Location Features to Seek
Dark skies (away from light pollution)Interesting foreground elementsReflective surfaces (water, ice)Northern view (aurora appears in north)Timing Your Shoot
Aurora Forecast
Check vedur.is/en/weather/forecasts/auroraKP index of 3+ is good, 5+ is excellentCloud cover is the main obstacleBest Hours
10 PM to 2 AM is typically most activeCan appear anytime during dark hoursBe patient - aurora comes and goesComposition Tips
1. **Include foreground interest**: Mountains, buildings, ice, churches
2. **Use the rule of thirds**: Place horizon in lower third
3. **Capture reflections**: Lakes and calm water double the impact
4. **Go vertical sometimes**: Especially for corona (overhead) displays
5. **Include people**: Silhouettes add scale and interest
Common Mistakes to Avoid
**Too long exposure**: Aurora loses definition, becomes green blob**Wrong focus**: Always manually focus, test with live view**Not enough battery**: Bring 3-4 fully charged batteries**Giving up too early**: Conditions can change rapidly**Only shooting aurora**: Include the landscape!Post-Processing Tips
In Lightroom or similar:
1. Adjust white balance (often slightly cooler works well)
2. Increase clarity moderately
3. Boost vibrance (not saturation)
4. Reduce noise carefully
5. Don't over-edit - natural colors are beautiful
Practical Tips
Dress warmly in layersTell someone your locationBring hot drinksAllow time for eyes to adjust to darknessScout locations during daylightHave a backup plan for weatherThe Northern Lights are unpredictable, which is part of their magic. Be patient, be prepared, and enjoy the experience even if photos don't turn out perfectly. Sometimes the best memories are made just watching the sky dance.
