Project 1

James Paterson heads north to capture the Aurora Borealis in the Arctic

We head north to capture the Aurora Borealis under Arctic skies

This is one of Mother Nature’s greatest displays; a dazzling curtain of greens and pinks that dances across the night sky. But how easy is it to photograph the Northern Lights? Well, in terms of technique it’s not difficult at all, you simply need a tripod and a DSLR that performs well at high ISOS. It’s sighting the aurora that proves more tricky. On our five-day trip to Norway we saw the aurora twice, while others we spoke to had seen just one faint display in two weeks. The elusiveness is part of the appeal, and makes a sighting even more special. But there are ways to increase your chances of success.

The aurora may occasionally be spotted in Scotland or even further south, but the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights is within what’s known as the auroral oval – a crown atop the planet that encompasses destinations like Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Canada and Alaska. Not only are you more likely to catch a glimpse of the aurora, you’re also spoilt for choice in terms of beautiful landscapes and mountains to include in the frame.

With improving air links and infrastructure, it’s easier than ever to organize a trip. The Aurora Borealis is most active between September and April. The long nights of December and January offer the most hours of darkness, while early spring may appeal if you want longer daylight for other activities. For intrepid travellers there’s also the Aurora Australis – the Southern Lights. But there are fewer destinations, unless you feel like camping on Antarctica!