The auroras are one of the great natural spectacles visible from our planet. In the northern hemisphere, Finland is certainly one of the best locations, and the best time of year to see The northern lights It's at the end of March.
Today we are talking with Ignasi Rovira, the guide who will accompany our travelers to Saariselka this year to photograph the Northern Lights.
To introduce you to people taking this trip, tell us a little about your background.
As a young man I made my first trip to the India, with my camera over my shoulder, and I thought it was brilliant. I knew what I wanted to do when I “grew up”. Travelling penniless was not easy, and selling was even harder photographic reports. Many days were spent going from publisher to publisher, trying to sell a few photographs to fund the next trip. Little by little, I learned and closed doors began to open. On my travels, I also met people who introduced me to travel agencies, and I started working as a guide. Without noticing, 30 years have passed. Turning trips into photography tours was not easy either, but three travel agencies later, here we are! If you would like to see more: www.ignasirovira.com/
Now, to the main subject: why choose Saariselkä to observe the Northern Lights rather than somewhere else?
If it was just about seeing auroras, the site might be another one. But Saariselka, in the north of Finland, is one of the best places to see the northern lights. It also has a comfortable hotel as our base and a highly professional agency organising morning excursions with dog sleds, reindeer, snowmobiles and snowshoes.
What photography equipment should you take to make the most of the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights can be photographed even with your mobile phone. But to make the most of it is essential a wide-angle lensr (the wider the angle, the better) and camera support: a tall tripod that lets us work standing up. Without a tripod, you can increase the ISO, but image quality will suffer.
Naturally, a better camera makes good results easier. It also helps to have direct controls rather than having to open menus to change settings, and to know how your camera works.
We assume luck is a key factor in being able to see the Northern Lights
You don’t see the auroras. Not all auroras have the same intensity, colours or shape. That is why the trip lasts a week rather than three days: to improve our chances!
Taking pictures of the auroras is not an easy job and involves certain difficulties. In your opinion, what is the greatest difficulty in this field?
The biggest difficulty is the cold and having to photograph in the dark
Any advice on photographing the Northern Lights?
It is important to understand how your camera works. You will need to change Night photography settings and very cold. We need to remove our gloves to operate the camera, so knowing the controls makes everything quicker.
Cold drains batteries much faster than usual. Always keep them well charged and carry a spare in a warm pocket.
We assume that the location chosen to make the photographs is very important, right?
Photographing just the aurora is one option. But to convey its scale, it can help to include a foreground — trees, houses... — and that requires careful framing.
We understand that in the afternoons you will review photographs from the previous day and hold technical talks. Can you tell us a little about them?
Our hotel has a room where we can project photographs, which we have already booked. In the afternoon, we will review some of the previous day’s pictures and consider how to improve them. It will also let us see other perspectives on the same subject.
Northern lights viewing and photography outings happen at night, leaving the daylight hours free for activities. What activities are planned?
These activities are organised by a highly experienced local agency. Before each one, a short briefing explains what it involves and what to do. An outing with reindeer sleds, dog sleds, snowmobiles or snowshoe walk . Ski touring is also an option.
We go in winter and we will have activities almost all day and the temperature will be very low. Can you give us some advice on how to fight the cold?
The organisers lend us thermal equipment: Overalls, hat, boots and gloves. The best option is to dress in layers, like an onion — as many as you need. The important thing is to stay warm. The same goes for your feet: layers of socks, with a “vapour barrier” between them, which can be as simple as a plastic bag.
⇒ More information about Northern Lights in Saariselkä with Ignasi Rovira