The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are one of nature’s most mesmerizing spectacles. Swirls of green light dancing across the Arctic skies are unforgettable—but catching them requires a mix of patience, timing, and luck.
Although I live in Helsinki, not too far from the Arctic Circle, I had never truly seen the aurora before my trip to Iceland. On previous attempts in Lapland, clouds spoiled the show, and even when the aurora was strong enough to reach southern Finland, I always seemed to miss it. So, when I planned a visit to Iceland in late September, witnessing the Northern Lights was at the top of my list.
The Challenge of Seeing the Aurora
Several conditions must come together for the aurora to appear. You need dark skies, minimal cloud cover, strong solar activity, and of course, a location close to the Arctic Circle. Iceland has the right latitude, but its unpredictable weather makes things tricky, especially in autumn when rain and clouds are common.
During my trip, I downloaded an aurora forecast app to track activity and alerts. For most of the week, the conditions never lined up—when the aurora was strong, the skies were overcast; when the clouds cleared, the solar winds weakened. By my final night, I had almost given up hope.
A Last Attempt
That evening, the forecast suddenly looked promising. I was near Kirkjufell, one of Iceland’s most famous mountains, and I dreamed of capturing it under the northern lights. But as night fell, thick clouds rolled in, dashing my hopes. After waiting a few hours in town, I considered calling it a night.
Instead, I checked the weather map again and noticed small patches of clearer skies in other areas. Iceland at night is incredibly dark, and driving those empty roads felt surreal. Finding a safe spot to pull over wasn’t easy, but eventually I managed to park and set up my gear.
Photographing the Lights
When the aurora finally appeared, it wasn’t faint—it was bright enough to see with my own eyes. Many people say cameras exaggerate the colors, but this time I could clearly make out the green glow overhead. As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, the display grew even more vivid.
Photographing the aurora requires preparation. A wide-angle lens with an aperture of at least f/4 is ideal, as long exposures can blur the lights and create star trails. I used a 16–35 mm lens, shooting with 10-second exposures and an ISO of around 3200. The wind was fierce, but my sturdy tripod held steady. Without it, my camera would have toppled over in seconds.
A Night to Remember
Although I didn’t capture the northern lights above iconic landscapes like Kirkjufell or Vestrahorn, the experience was still unforgettable. Standing alone on a dark road, watching the sky shift and shimmer, was more magical than I ever imagined.
The aurora is unpredictable—you can plan, prepare, and still be disappointed. But when the conditions align, the reward is extraordinary. My first true encounter with the Northern Lights in Iceland was worth every failed attempt, and it left me determined to return one day for another chance to witness them in all their glory.
