I took this dramatic night photo on a moonless night in East Iceland. The glacier lagoon was full of glacier & lake ice which would creak and moan as the water gently rippled beneath them.
New moon phases were my favourite for northern lights photography. The darkness has its own challenges because I couldn’t see anything without a flashlight torch. However the camera’s long exposure can see much more than human eyes. Even the slightest aurora becomes dramatic and sometimes colourful on a dark night.
Night Phenomenon
In my experience, the best time to observe the Northern Lights is between the hours of 10 PM and 2 AM. Although some really potent storms can cause auroras to be seen as early as 7 PM and as late as 7 AM, the most frequent light displays occur around midnight. The action will come and go during most displays’ hour- or two-long durations. If the lights go out but a solid green line stays, the power will probably come back. A display may occasionally last just 20 seconds, but this is unusual.
It offers advantages to have a lot of nighttime. especially when the emerald Northern Lights light spectacle might cover the sky. Getting away from city lights and steering clear of full moon phases because the darkness of the sky is the most important factor. A better likelihood of photographing colours is under skies that are darker.
Capturing 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 Wall Art
Iceland’s distinctive topography and climate provide a wide range of subject matter to explore when it comes to nature photography. There is no shortage of breathtaking landscapes to photograph under the aurora.
Wall art made from Northern Lights photography is a wonderful way to bring the beauty of the nation into your house or place of business. Not only is it visually stunning, but it also sparks interesting conversations and gives every space a special touch. Nature photography wall art is a terrific way to bring a bit of Iceland into your house or place of business.
