Northern Lights Photography in Lapland: The Ultimate Guide for UK Travellers
Capturing the celestial dance of the Aurora Borealis is the pinnacle of any Arctic adventure. Whether you are wielding a professional DSLR or the latest iPhone, our expert guide ensures you return from Lapland with more than just memories—you’ll have the perfect shots to prove it.
What to expect?
Why Lapland is the Ultimate Destination for Aurora Photography
Finnish Lapland sits directly within the “Auroral Oval,” offering up to 200 nights of visibility a year. Unlike many other destinations, Lapland’s vast, snow-covered forests provide a stunning foreground that adds scale and magic to your photos. With minimal light pollution and easy direct flights from London and Manchester, it is the world’s premier studio for night-sky enthusiasts.
Setup
Best Camera Settings for Northern Lights in Lapland
To capture the vibrant greens and purples of the aurora, you need to move beyond “Auto” mode. Here are the baseline settings for a successful shoot:
Manual Mode (M): You need full control over light intake.
Aperture: Set your f-stop as low as possible (e.g., f/2.8 or f/4) to let in maximum light.
ISO: Start at 1600. If the lights are faint, push to 3200.
Shutter Speed: Between 5 to 15 seconds. If the aurora is dancing fast, use a shorter time to avoid a blurry “green cloud” effect.
Focus: Set to “Infinity” (∞). Pro tip: Focus on a distant star using Live View.
About Us
Smartphone vs. DSLR: Can You Photograph the Aurora with an iPhone?
The short answer: Yes! Modern smartphones have incredible Night Modes that can detect the aurora. For the best results:
Use a tripod: Even a tiny smartphone tripod prevents the blur caused by shaky, cold hands.
Turn off the flash: It won’t reach the sky and will only ruin your foreground.
Night Mode: Set the exposure time to the maximum (usually 10–30 seconds) on your iPhone or Android device.
Use a Timer: A 2-second shutter delay prevents “camera shake” when you press the button.
Essential Gear Checklist: Tripods, Batteries, and Thermal Gloves
The Arctic cold is the biggest challenge for Northern Lights photography in Lapland.
Sturdy Tripod: Essential for long exposures. Wind can knock over lightweight models.
Spare Batteries: Cold drains lithium-ion batteries in minutes. Keep spares in an inner pocket close to your body heat.
Touchscreen-Compatible Liners: You can’t adjust settings with heavy mitts. Use thin liners under your gloves.
Lens Cloth: Temperature changes between your cabin and the outdoors cause fogging. Keep your lens clear.
Top 3 Rovaniemi Igloos for Uninterrupted Aurora Views
Why trek into the woods when you can shoot from your bed? These Igloo Rovaniemi locations offer the best angles for photographers:
The Premium Glass Igloo: Features 360-degree heated glass, ensuring no frost obstructs your wide-angle lens.
The Riverside Suite: Perfect for capturing the “double aurora”—the reflection of the lights in the unfrozen parts of the river.
The Secluded Forest Cabin: Offers a dark sky away from resort lights, ideal for deep-space photography and time-lapses.
Unforgettable
Ready to Capture the Magic?
Don’t just watch the lights—live them. Book your 2025/2026 Lapland holiday package today and gain access to our exclusive photography-friendly locations.
Notre entreprise a reçu le prix TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award 2025 - nous sommes fiers d'être reconnus pour notre qualité et notre service.
