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- NORTHERN LIGHTS ICELAND MANUAL
- NORTHERN LIGHTS ICELAND ISO
THE SCENIC SOUTH & NORTHERN LIGHTS (5 days / 4 nights). BEST OF SOUTH ICELAND - WINTER (6 days / 5 nights). GOLDEN CIRCLE CLASSIC - WINTER (4 days / 3 Nights). NORTHERN LIGHTS CIRCLE TOUR (8 days / 7 nights). GOLDEN CIRCLE CLASSIC - WINTER (4 days / 3 nights). Ready to come chase some auroras? We recommend these popular winter tour packages: The longer the exposure, the more light will be captured. Shutter speed: Do a long exposure of 15 to 30 seconds. On most cameras, this number can go down to about 3.5.
This will result in more light coming through the lens.
Aperture (f-stop): Turn your aperture as low as possible. This depends on the specific lens you're using, but is a fair range to work within. NORTHERN LIGHTS ICELAND ISO
ISO: Increase the ISO to at least 400 or 800, preferably higher. Image stabilisation: If your lens has this, turn it off. Headlamp / flashlight: You’ll be shooting in the dark and in very cold temperatures, so it’s good to see what you’re doing. It doesn’t hurt to bring extra energy for yourself in the form of snacks. Spare batteries: Freezing temperatures tend to deplete battery levels faster. Shutter release: For even steadier shots, get a remote shutter release so you don’t have to touch (and shake) the camera at all. Tripod: Even with the steadiest hands, a long exposure shot without a tripod is going to be a blurry, jittery mess. NORTHERN LIGHTS ICELAND MANUAL
Camera: Use an SLR camera with manual focus for best results. Thinking of capturing your own shots of the northern lights this winter? Here are some quick tips from Nordic Visitor staff. Northern lights photography: a crash course Remember: northern lights are created by the sun and the atmosphere, so sightings can never be guaranteed. If you’re on a guided excursion, you will usually be provided with loaned coveralls and/or other warm garments. Thermal layers and insulated outerwear are essential. Unfortunately, sightings can never be guaranteed. You may have to wait a few hours, but most northern lights tours involve some kind of activity or refreshments to keep guests entertained and warm. The lights do not appear on any kind of schedule. Some hotels in the countryside may offer a special "wake up" service if the lights come out. A stay in the countryside or a guided tour into the wilderness will greatly improve your view to the sky. It goes without saying that you need dark nights, but it's also ideal to get away from the glare of city lights. We recommend checking the Iceland Met Office’s aurora forecast page. Location means nothing if you don't have the right combo of solar activity and cloudless skies. The northern lights are visible mainly between October and March each year in the Nordic region.
Below are important tips to remember if you want to experience this natural phenomenon. Keep in mind that seeing the northern lights does require the right timing, location and meteorological conditions as well as a good dose of patience and luck. In fact, there is a zone in the Northern Hemisphere called the “Northern Lights Belt”, situated from about 65 to 72 degrees north - running through Iceland, which is known to have more auroral frequency and intensity. The Nordic region is ideal for viewing the aurora borealis. The lights may appear like a rippling curtain, streaming rays or an arc, among other forms. The most common colour of northern lights is green, though - more rarely - violet or red hues can also be seen This all depends on the type of atoms involved, the intensity of the solar activity and the pull of Earth’s magnetic forces. Roughly 40 hours later, the particles collide with atoms in Earth’s upper atmosphere, resulting in glowing emissions: the northern (or southern) lightsĪuroras take on various shapes, movements, colours and brightness. Giant flares (or, solar storms) from the sun - about 150 million kilometres away - send blasts of charged particles hurtling towards our planet. The northern lights look like magic but, in fact, there is a reasonable scientific explanation for them. Northern lights facts: causes, colours and visibility