Dog Sledding Northern Lights

HOW TO TAKE PHOTOS OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS ON YOUR DOG SLEDDING HOLIDAYS

Northerlights over snowy landscape

Exploring Lapland by dog sledding is a magical experience anyway, but when you have the chance to witness the Northern Lights it is just perfect. The best time to see them on our husky adventures is between December and the middle of March, since there is a longer period of darkness over the day.

Capturing this breathtaking natural phenomenon on camera can be challenging, but with the right approach, you can take stunning photos, even with a smartphone. Here are five tips from our experience to help you photograph the Northern Lights during your dog sledding tour.

Can I Actually Take Photos of the Northern Lights with My Smartphone?

Yes, you can capture the beauty of the Northern Lights with your smartphone, as these images demonstrate:

5 TIPS TO TAKE PHOTOS OF NORTHERN LIGHTS ON A DOG SLEDDING TOUR

Tip #1: Keep Your Camera Still

The best way to ensure your camera stays still is to use a tripod, which you can find for smartphones at an affordable price. If you don’t have a tripod, try to prop your phone up against something stable.

**Pro-Tip:**
If you don’t have a tripod with you, but your phone is waterproof, you can try this hack: just stick your phone in the next snow pile! It’s nice and stable and you even have the snowy ground in your photos. (Disclaimer: We assume no responsibility for any damage to smartphones! Check if your phone is actually waterproof before you try this out!)

Tip #2: Use a Remote Shutter or Timer

Once your smartphone is steady, use a timer or remote to take the photo. Even a slight touch can blur your image.

**Pro-Tip for Smartwatch Users:**
Many smartwatches can now act as remote shutters for your smartphone, allowing you to be in the photo too. Test this feature before your tour.

Tip #3: Adjust Settings in Pro Mode

Most smartphones have a night mode that extends the exposure time that will help you to capture the Northern Lights. If your phone has a Pro mode, you can also adjust a few more settings:

– Shutter Speed: Set between 1 to 5 seconds.

– ISO: Between 1600 and 3200. A higher ISO might cause grainy images.

– White Balance: Set to 3500-4500 Kelvin.

Experiment with these settings to find what works best for your phone.

Tip #4: Remember to bring a Power Bank

Since there’s no electricity on our dog sledding tours, it is helpful to bring a power bank and set your phone to airplane mode to save battery life. It would be a shame if you could finally see the Northern Lights but not your phone anymore…

Tip #5: Dress warmly

Yes, sometimes you have to wait a little while for the Northern Lights to show themselves or you simply can’t tear yourself away from the spectacle. Then warm clothing is extremely important. Luckily, this is not a problem on our dogsedding tours, because we equip you with a warm overall, winter boots and mittens so that you can experience the full beauty of the Northern Lights.

Extra-Tip: Get in the Picture

If you want to be in the photo, ensure all settings are ready for a timed or remote shot. And remember to stand still to avoid blurry pictures. So press the shutter button and hold your breath 🙂

You see, you can capture amazing photos with just a few simple tools!

THERE IS A HUSKY TOUR FOR EVERYONE

Regardless of whether you just want to get a taste of what it’s like to go dog sledding or you want to go straight into the biggest adventure, we have the perfect tour for everyone.

1 Day tour

You don’t need a week to get a taste of the mushing life! Join our exciting day tour and drive a team of huskies around our beautiful local trails.

5 day tour

Get ready for the ultimate winter adventure as we teach you how to care for and drive your own team of alaskan huskies.
Take the trip of a lifetime deep into Lapland’s untouched Vindelfjällens Nature Reserve, the largest nature reserve in Europe.

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