Secrets to capturing Iceland’s northern lights

Jan Dančák, better known as ‘Jan in Iceland’, has been living in the country for years, photographing the outdoors and chasing the northern lights. On his YouTube channel, he shares tips and guides that make the magic of Iceland more accessible to anyone who visits.

The northern lights are one of the most magical shows on Earth, and if you’re traveling to Iceland, they’re probably at the very top of your list. But while watching them dance across the sky feels unforgettable, capturing them on camera is another story. Photographing the northern lights can be tricky because the aurora is unpredictable and the weather changes constantly – many people leave Iceland without a single photo to show for it.

I’ve been chasing and photographing the northern lights here for nearly 10 years, and I can tell you this: with the right approach, anyone can take great aurora shots. You don’t need the most expensive gear or years of photography experience, just a few smart techniques and some patience. Here are my best northern lights photography tips to help you maximise your chances of not only seeing the aurora but also photographing it like a pro.

Pick the right season

You can only see the northern lights when the sky is dark, which means they’re completely invisible during Iceland’s summer months. From mid-April to late August, the sun barely sets, it’s the season of the midnight sun. For aurora hunters, the best time is from September to March.

Personally, I love September and October because the nights are long enough, but the temperatures aren’t brutally cold yet. Plus, without snow on the ground, there’s less reflection from moonlight, making the sky appear darker and the aurora stand out even more.

Keep forecasting simple

There are dozens of apps and websites promising to predict the aurora, but in Iceland, conditions change fast, and many of those tools just overcomplicate things. The only site I rely on is vedur.is, the Icelandic Meteorological Office. It gives you two key pieces of information: cloud cover (green means cloudy, white means clear) and the aurora forecast (a scale from 0–9 showing the expected strength). My rule of thumb: anything rated 2 or higher is worth going out for. But don’t rely on numbers alone, clear skies matter more than the forecast strength.

Escape the light pollution

Aurora hunting is a lot like stargazing, the darker your surroundings, the better your view. If you’re standing in the middle of Reykjavik, you’ll only see the brightest shows. Luckily, in Iceland you usually only need to drive five minutes outside of town, or even just walk behind a hill, wall, or small forest, to escape direct light. I still remember one night when I pulled over just outside Reykjavik, and suddenly the whole sky turned green and purple – I was the only car there, and it felt like a private show.

Be ready before dark

One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting too long to prepare. I’ve witnessed the most spectacular shows usually right at the beginning of the night. At first, the aurora might look like a faint green smudge in the sky, easy to miss if you’re not paying attention. But then, suddenly, it starts moving fast, filling the entire sky. If your camera isn’t set up and ready, you’ll miss it. My advice is to get your gear in place before darkness falls.

Don’t fear the clouds

Yes, a completely clear sky is ideal, but you don’t need perfect conditions. Sometimes a small gap in the clouds is all it takes, and clouds can even make your photos more interesting by adding texture and drama to the scene. If the forecast shows partial clearing, it’s worth heading out. Trust me, some of my best aurora photos were taken on nights when most people stayed home because of the clouds.

DIY or choose smaller tours

Here’s my honest opinion: the big bus northern lights tours aren’t worth it. Too often, they just take groups to a parking lot outside Reykjavik and wait around, hoping for a show. Instead, I recommend either going out on your own if you rented a car (it’s easier than you think) or booking with a smaller operator, ideally one run by a photographer or local guide. That way, you’ll visit better locations and maybe even get hands-on help with your northern lights photography settings.

Photographing with your phone

The phone in your pocket can take surprisingly good aurora photos, if it’s a recent model. Newer iPhones (14 and up) and Android flagships handle low light very well. Here’s how to set it up: disable the flash, enable Night mode, and use the longest exposure time available. Hold your phone steady or, better yet, place it on a tripod and set a timer to avoid shaking the shot. For best results, use the primary lens, not the ultrawide. And remember, if your phone is a bit older, you may still get photos, but the quality won’t compare to newer models. For many travellers, learning how to photograph northern lights with a phone is the simplest and most rewarding option.

Using a GoPro or action camera

If you have a GoPro or another action camera, you can still capture the northern lights with the right settings. Switch to Night mode, set the shutter to around 15 seconds, and keep ISO below 800 to reduce noise. Always shoot in RAW if possible. A tripod is essential, as even the slightest shake will blur the image.

Mastering DSLR or mirrorless settings

If you’re using a DSLR or mirrorless camera, shoot in full manual mode. Here’s where I usually start:

• Aperture: as wide as your lens allows (f/2.8 or lower is ideal, f/4 works fine).

• Shutter speed: 8-15 seconds, depending on aurora activity. Longer exposures like 20-30 can bring out faint lights, but for fast-moving displays, keep it shorter to preserve detail.

• ISO: start around 800 and adjust as needed.

For white balance, set around 4,000K to avoid yellow tones. Wide-angle lenses (12-16mm) let you capture more of the sky, but even a 24mm can work. To focus, find a distant light, lock focus, then switch to manual. No distant light to focus on? Switch your lens to manual mode and set ring focus to infinity (infinity symbol). Magnify your focus on your back screen, find the brightest star, and make minor adjustments to your focus ring until the star appears like a pinpoint.

This is usually my baseline, and then I tweak depending on how strong and fast the aurora is that night. Every show is different, which is what makes photographing them so much fun. And don’t stress about having the newest or most expensive gear, technique and patience matter far more.

Be patient and embrace the hunt

The truth is, you can do everything right and still come home without seeing the aurora. Iceland’s weather is unpredictable, and sometimes the clouds just don’t clear. Other times, the forecast looks terrible, and the northern lights suddenly explode overhead. That’s part of the magic, you never know when the sky will come alive. 

Stay patient, keep trying and don’t let the cold nights discourage you. The effort makes the reward even more unforgettable. I still remember a night when the forecast said “2” (very low activity), and yet the sky lit up with dancing green and red waves – one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.