Northern lights

We were going to spent a month in Finland and Norway. Why? To make sure we saw the northern lights this time.

There are multple factors that can make sure you won't see the northern lights and one of them ofcourse is the cloud forecast. So with the hope of one month being long enough to see them at least once we head of to the north.

the most beautiful patterns of northern lights

The first time we got to see them was one week into our journey in the north part of Finland, Ivalo. We weren't able to see them with our owns this night unfortunately.

How ever the next night I went out to check as our Aurora app said there was a change to see them. I saw them slightly on the right side of the sky and I called my friends. When we all got outside again they were dancing above us and the sight was absolutely magical. I decided to rush and get my tripod set up to take pictures of the cabin. The beautiful sight lasted around 15 min and unfortunately we didn't get the change to see them again that night. The next week the lights were not visible and we made our way to Norway after. We knew that the KP which indicates the activity and reach of the northern lights was going to be 6 that night and therefore we decided to hike Segla right after arriving in Senja.

northern light spiral above Segla

Segla is a mountain in Segla famous for it's amazing shape. What we hoped for was seeing the lights right above it. On our way walking to the top right after sunset we already saw lights appearing in the sky. Around an hour after making it to the top of our hike the northern lights were getting stronger and stronger. I set up a timelapse and little later there was a spiral forming above the mountain with lights so strong and beautiful. When shooting these lights I normally start wit a base ISO of 1200 and a shutter speed of around 20 second. How ever when the lights become this strong you have to adjust and your shutter speed can get very low.

Seeing the northern lights was something so special and magical and after shooting and filming we decided to lay down and enjoy the show.