The diamond ice beach near Jokulsarlon is my favourite place for winter sunrises, but Northern lights are rare. This is because the beach faces south & auroras are mostly in the northern sky.
I wanted to capture the movement of the ocean against the glacier ice on the beach while capturing a colourful aurora display.
Late Nights
My personal observations indicate that the best times to watch the Northern Lights are from 10 PM to 2 AM. Although the most frequent light displays occur around midnight, certain really potent storms can create auroras that can be seen as early as 7 PM and as late as 7 AM. Usually shows span an hour or two, and during this period, activity will come and go. It is likely to regain power if the lights go off but a steady green line is still visible. A show can occasionally be as brief as 20 seconds, but this is uncommon.
There are advantages to having a lot of nighttime. especially when the Northern Lights may display their emerald light show in the skies. The most important prerequisite is a dark sky, so avoid full moons and stay away from city lights. The likelihood of catching colour increases with sky darkness.
Aurora colours
The images and what you actually see are two different things. The reason is because rods—which human eyes use in the dark but which do not process color—are to blame (see Rods & Cones). The outcome is significantly more colourful (realistic) than what human eyes can see because the camera does sense colour and it is gathering the data over a period of time (5–30 seconds). The dancing curtains will be far easier for you to view with your eyes than with a camera, though if the camera is powerful enough, you might be able to see some colours.
Aurora Photo Print
When it comes to nature photography, Iceland’s unique landscape and climate offer a variety of subject matter to investigate. There are several gorgeous sceneries to capture in auroral photography.
You may decorate your home or place of business with wall art created from photographs of the Northern Lights. It adds a unique touch to every area and generates interesting conversations in addition to being attractive visually. A wonderful way to include a touch of Iceland into your home or place of business is through nature photography wall art.
