Tips, Gear, and Tours That Make It Easy

Seeing the northern lights is one thing. Photographing them? That’s where the real magic begins. Lofoten is one of the best places in the world to see the aurora, and capturing it on camera is easier than you think—with the right tips, gear, and a little help from a local pro.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned photographer, this guide will walk you through how to photograph the aurora borealis in Lofoten, what gear you need, and why joining a tour might just be the smartest thing you do on your trip.

📸 How To Photograph the Northern Lights in Lofoten

Lofoten gives you everything you need for a perfect aurora photo: dark skies, dramatic landscapes, and plenty of open space to shoot from. Here’s how to make the most of it:

1. Use a Tripod

This is a non-negotiable. Your exposures will last between 3–20 seconds, depending on the brightness and movement of the aurora. A solid tripod means sharp stars and smooth skies.

2. Manual Mode Is Your Best Friend

Set your camera to manual. Start with these settings:

Aperture: f/2.8 (or as wide as your lens allows)
ISO: 1600–3200
Shutter: 5–15 seconds
Then adjust based on the aurora’s brightness. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

3. Manual Focus to Infinity

Use live view and zoom in on a bright star to manually focus. Autofocus won’t work well in the dark.

4. Turn Off Image Stabilisation

If your camera or lens has it, disable it when on a tripod. It can cause blurry shots.

5. Shoot in RAW

This gives you maximum flexibility in editing and helps preserve those subtle green and purple tones.

🧊 Cold Weather Gear for Aurora Photography

Standing outside in Arctic conditions for hours isn’t just uncomfortable—it can wreck your night if you’re not prepared. Here’s what to wear and bring:

Insulated boots (waterproof and grippy)
Thermal base layers (merino is your best friend)
Windproof outer layers
Hat, gloves, neck warmer
Photography gloves (like Vallerret, designed for aurora work)
Headlamp with red light mode (so you don’t ruin your night vision)
Power bank (cold kills batteries fast)

📚 Want More Detail? Get the Complete Guide

If you're planning a DIY aurora hunt, you need The Complete Guide to Finding Northern Lights in Lofoten.

Written by Arctic photographer and aurora expert Dave Williams, this field-tested ebook teaches you:

How to read weather and space weather
The truth about KP index and substorms
Where to go for safe parking and the best views
How to stay warm, mobile, and safe
How to shoot the aurora with any camera, from phones to pro gear

🎯 Buy the ebook now and chase the lights like a local.

🛻 Why a Guided Tour Is the Best Option

Let’s be honest: aurora hunting is tricky. You need to understand the sky, the weather, the landscape, and road conditions. And even if you know all that, you still need to find the right place at the right time.

That’s where we come in.

✅ Join the Ultimate Aurora Hunt

This is Lofoten’s best northern lights tour, built on local knowledge, years of experience, and a serious passion for aurora photography.

Here’s why it’s better than going alone:

We check the space weather and local forecasts hourly
We move to where the skies are clear (even if it means long drives)
You get help with camera settings, composition, and safety
You’ll learn what makes the aurora tick, not just see it
We stop at locations with epic foregrounds for your photos
Small groups = personal attention, warm drinks, good vibes

🔭 Book the Ultimate Aurora Hunt here
📍 Based in Svolvær, chasing across Lofoten every clear night
📷 Suitable for all camera types, including smartphones

🧰 Recommended Camera Gear List

Don’t overthink it. Here's what works in Lofoten:

For DSLR or Mirrorless:

Wide-angle lens (14–24mm range)
Fast aperture (f/2.8 or better)
Tripod
Spare batteries
Remote shutter or use a timer
Dry bag or padded camera bag

For Smartphones:

Latest model iPhone or Android with night mode
Tripod adapter
Cold weather case or sleeve
Photo app (like ProCamera or Halide for manual control)

You don’t need to be a pro. You just need the right guidance and a bit of prep.

🚀 Ready to Photograph the Aurora?

The northern lights aren’t just for watching—they’re for capturing, remembering, and sharing. Whether you go self-guided with our ebook, or join the pros on the Ultimate Aurora Hunt, you’ll leave with photos—and memories—that’ll stay with you forever.

👉 Book the Ultimate Aurora Hunt
📕 Grab the Ebook for Self-Guided Chasing

Whichever way you choose, you’ll be ready when the sky erupts.