With the permission of our astrophotographer Juan Carlos Casado, show this photo taken by Max Rive on the Lofoten Islands in Norway.
Can we say it's the perfect picture?
Without a doubt it is one of the best photographs of The northern lights that we've seen.
(photo removed)
Max describes his experience on the photography website PetaPixel. Although this was not his original idea, he spent 3 days at the foot of this peak waiting for ideal weather conditions to take the photograph. The logistics were simple: he had his friend climb up Philippe Bouillard with simple instructions: » Open your arms when you see the Aurora Borealis‘.
Max explains to PetaPixel the story behind this photo.
What I really like about this spot are the pointy rocks in the foreground which lead my eye directly towards the peak. You can also follow the foreground all the way to the mountain peak. I took some test shots during daytime and it was quite a task to get the exact same composition again, especially because I was very close to the nearest rock.
I also found the shape of the mountain very spectacular, which looks a bit like the Matterhorn. The peak is only 20 meters higher than the camera but it is so small and steep you have a view on both sides which is very unique and hard to find.
The light pollution from the city of Svolvear on the right does give some balance to the lights of the houses and streets in the valley on the left. In the beginning I was not sure whether I should put the peak in the middle or put it a bit more on the right side. I choose for the last option because I wanted to put some attention on the left side which looks more interesting than the right part. The non-symmetrical shape of the mountain did allow this.
This year is better!
Every 11 years solar activity is intensified, causing an increase in the luminosity of Northern Lights. This year, as well as better solar conditions, the path of the total solar eclipse passes through the Arctic. The subarctic Faroe Islands, in the heart of the Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic, are our chosen place to experience two of the planet’s most impressive natural spectacles in a single trip.
- View trip details for the Eclipse and Northern Lights trip to the Faroe Islands