Chase Northern Lights with Free Photos in Tromsø

Tromsø, Norway is one of the top destinations for chasing the breathtaking and ephemeral Northern Lights, also known as aurora borealis. And if catching a picturesque glimpse of the ever-changing colored light show in the night sky isn’t enough, you have the opportunity to capture them with free photos in Tromsø. Here’s your guide to chasing the Northern Lights, including what to expect, where and when to go, and how to get free photos of the northern lights in Tromsø!

What are the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon seen in northern countries, particularly in the Arctic Circle, between late autumn and early spring. It is a brilliant light show caused by collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the Earth’s atmosphere and collide with gases such as oxygen and nitrogen. The exact color of the lights varies with the type of gas being colliding (most often green, white, red, cyan or blue).

Where and When to See the Northern Lights in Tromsø?

To experience the majestic, colorful lights in Tromsø, Norway, your best bet is to head between November and March when the chances of seeing them are highest. Of course, that is highly dependent on the weather and cloud cover.

The best places to observe them near Tromsø are at iconic locations such as Lyngen Alps and Sommarøy. Sommarøy has a unique landscape with steep cliffs that provide perfect habitat for visual spotting of the Northern Lights. Another great viewpoint is at Fjellheisene on the north end. Overlooking Tromsø fjord, these elevations north of city provides a great chance to witness this spectacular phenomenon.

How to Get Free Photos of the Northern Lights in Tromsø

Getting free photos of the Northern Lights in Tromsø can be quite easily done, even if you’re not a professional photographer. Though it’s commonly advised to take some courses in photography before you go chasing Northern Lights, with practice you can get some good free photos with a simple camera.

Your first challenge is to get away from light pollution. To minimize light pollution in your photos, head out to rural places away from artificial lights such as street lamps and city lights. Make sure not to point your camera directly towards bright cities or sources of light.

Gear

First of all, you’ll need a sturdy tripod and camera with manual settings (see below).
Also, you’ll need a remote shutter release – essential for taking multiple exposures without causing vibration that could make your photos blurry.
In addition, you should bring some spare batteries for your camera as it will be running continuously in cold temperatures.
Finally, a wide-angle lens is recommended in order to capture all of the beauty without losing detail.

Camera settings

How you set up your camera will be completely dependent on your scenario and conditions. Although the exact settings will vary from one person to another, here are some useful tips for beginner photographers:

• Set your ISO to 1600.
• Set your lens aperture to f/2.8.
• Set your shutter speed to 8-20 seconds.
• Disable image stabilization.
• Shoot in RAW format.

It is also important to note that when shooting photos of the Northern Lights, you’ll need to adjust your settings according to what you prefer. Since they can appear fast or stay visible even up to several hours, you should have settings ready for either situation. Although 8-20 seconds can generate good results, setting your shutter speed too high may result in overexposure or a bright “streaky” image due to excessive light and too much movement.

Tips for Capturing Great Photos

Here are some useful tips for taking great photos of the Northern Lights:

Capture the foreground: When shooting pictures of the Northern Lights, don’t just focus on them – make sure to include some foreground elements in your photos such as trees or buildings for a more balanced and interesting composition.
Set up your tripod: To ensure sharp images with no blurriness due to camera shake, make sure to securely set up your tripod on a stable ground before shooting your photo.
Adjust your focus: For sharper results, manually adjust the focus on your lens since autofocus systems may not be able to detect the faint northern lights.
Experiment: Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different settings. Increasing the ISO or aperture can result in brighter photos and different colored Auroras than those you may be expecting! Don’t forget to adjust other settings such as white balance and noise reduction as needed.

Finally, when out at night make sure to take basic safety precautions such as dressing warmly and wearing reflective materials so that you are visible by any passing cars.

So What Are You Waiting For?

Now that you know everything there is to know about chasing Northern Lights with free photos in Tromsø, there’s no time like the present! So why not book an activity through GetYourGuide, today? Chasing the Northern Lights is one of Europe’s most breathtaking experiences – so don’t miss out!