10 Tips for Shooting Stunning Photos of the Aurora

Russian photographer Nikolay Tsuguliev says your first Aurora is a bit like your first love. You never forget it. He saw his own in 2015, after he and his best friend Alex had chased the northern lights across Norway, Iceland, Northern Finland, and Sweden without much luck. As it happened, his very first sighting wasn’t anywhere on his list of places to visit; instead, it was close to home, in the suburbs of St. Petersburg.
Tsuguliev has since traveled all over Scandinavia photographing the Aurora. He’s seen more impressive light shows than the one in St. Petersburg, but that one from way back in the beginning of his journey is still special to him. And as an experienced Aurora-chaser, he’s had the chance to relive it again and again when he sees of his fellow travelers witness it them selves for the first time.

“This was my first Aurora, from the SaintPetersburg suburbs in Russia. It looked sopowerful that day, butnow, wouldn’t be impressed by a flash this weak."

In big city centers, light pollution interferes with the spectacle, so the best spots to see the Aurora are more remote. Most of Tsuguliev’s pictures are from Finnish Lapland, where he stayed near the famous Levi Ski Resort, and Norway’s Lofoten Islands, where he’s spent many nights camping and watching the sky.

He’s captured the Aurora in fall and winter, so he’s seen it change with the seasons. During one September trip to Norway, he remembers, the Aurora was visible for almost the whole week he was there. However, in Finland in mid-February, he admitted, “The Aurora was completely different, cold, and covered with snow!”

Tsuguliev has now visited Norway three times with the same team of travelers. “We had our own hashtag on Instagram, #comeonnorwaylightmyfire, inspired by The Doors song,” he told us. During those adventures, they split their time between the campsites, where they cook their own food (including one memorable freshly-caught fish) and local houses. “You can always find wonderful accommodations in any random place in Norway,” the artist said. “It could be a cozy wooden cottage in the woods or a red fishing house (a rorbuer) by the sea shore.”

Along the way, Tsuguliev has learned quite a bit about the Aurora. He tracks the lights using a website called Aurora Service, which anyone can visit. “It monitors the solar activity,” he explained. “But you have to understand how to use the information. The probability and possible power of an Aurora depend on the KP index. And it depends on where you are. For example, if the KP index is more than 6-7, you can probably see the Aurora in the whole of Scandinavia.”

We asked Tsuguliev to tell us what it was like to see the northern lights in person. How would he describe it to someone who has never witnessed it? “I would describe it as a fast dance of differently colored silks in the sky. They transform and change shape,” he responded. “I can’t describe the sounds when the Aurora comes. I hear only camera shutters and the words “Oh my God, that’s so beautiful” from people around me.

We asked Tsuguliev to share some of his Aurora memories, along with some of his tried-and-true tricks for making beautiful pictures.

Tip 1

Use the widest lens and strongest tripod possible. The Aurora covers a big portion of the sky, so you’d better be able to cover it all!

“This is the Levi Ski Resort in Northern Finland. After a long day of skiing, nothing is better than a massive Aurora!”

“This is also from the Levi Ski Resort. We spent the week in this house, and that night, I had to wake all my friends so they could see this magic.”

Tip 2

Use additional objects in your picture. Don’t let the Aurora be alone in your shot; instead, place your car, friend, or tent alongside it. And don’t forget to illuminate the foreground with your smartphone flash.

“Levi Ski Resort, Northern Finland.”

“In this case, I was not sure if I could see the Aurora with my own eyes. Sometimes, it’s better to rely on your camera.”

Tip 3

When it seems like it’s over, wait for another half-hour. The Aurora can return anytime during the night!

“This image is from the Lofoten Islands in Norway. On trips like this, you’d better wake up early. How can you sleep while something like this is happening?”

Tip 4

Find the darkest place possible, away from city lights. The Aurora shines brighter in the dark.

“This is my favorite picture. Look at the mountain silhouette and the great colors! That night at the fishing village of Å (yeah, one letter) was amazing.”

“The Aurora sometimes disguises itself as an animal. This one looks like a ray.”

Tip 5

Find water, and capture the reflection of the Aurora.

“I call this picture “A rising tide”!”

“This combination of the deep blue and green is my favorite.”

Tip 6

If your camera doesn’t want to adjust focus automatically, manually focus on the trees far in the distance. The Aurora will most likely be in that focal range.