Northern Lights

A Year in Lapland

After a year it is time to leave the Arctic Circle and head south for the winter. It has been an excellent experience to see Lapland change throughout the year with its dramatic seasonal extremes.

As well as the difference in climate there is also a difference in lifestyle, a more back to basics living. Nature is a large part of living in Lapland and during the long summer days you can make the most of it. To really enjoy Lapland you have to come to terms with the dark and cold days during the winter.

I have shared many of my photographs with you over the year but there are stills some I haven’t. I have compiled a list of the last year, a photograph for each month. Some you might have seen but many you wouldn’t have.

What month (or months) do you like the most?

A Year in Lapland

January

Ice hole swimming in Ylläsjärvi

February

The top of Ylläs

March

Kakslauttanen

April

Lets race!

May

The melting of the ice, Ylläsjärvi

June

The Midnight Sun

Other photographs of the Midnight Sun HERE and HERE.

July

A Year in Lapland

Reindeer are free to roam in Lapland. See more photographs HERE.

August

A Year in Lapland

Featured in my post Three Nations Border Point

September

Äkäslompolo

October

A Year in Lapland

For more Northern Lights

November

A Year in Lapland

December

Rovaniemi

Photographing the Northern Lights

Photographing the Northern Lights comes down to one thing in my opinion, chance. It is all about being in the right place as the right time. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon that are hard to predict and to chance a glimpse of them you have to spend a few hours out in the cold temperatures.

But once you get that one amazing photograph is all becomes worth it.

Here is a list of helpful tips when attempting to photograph the Northern Lights:

Know your camera. It will be dark and you will need to change your camera settings quickly in order to capture the moving lights. A basic knowledge of long exposure shots will go a long way.
Take a tripod. The second most important piece of kit apart from your camera. I have made do without a tripod in the past but taking one makes adjust angels and positions so much easier.
Dress warm. Find a nice place to set up and make sure you have plenty of clothes, you never know how long the magical display will last.
Take a light. Having a light with you makes everything a lot easier in the dark and also gives you other opportunities for long exposure shots while you wait.
Be patient. Not everyone gets to see the Northern Lights, that’s just the way it is. The more time you are outside the higher your chances.