Photographer Upends His Complete Life to Chase Auroras Across the Arctic

One evening in 2018, I used to be viewing the worldwide house station by means of a telescope within the observatory of Helsinki. Suddenly, I seemed into the wrong way and there, for the primary time ever, I’d see the northern lights dancing over town under. The expertise was otherworldly and I needed to see them many times.

To accomplish that, for practically 5 years, I’ve lived within the small distant nook of the Finnish Lapland, above the artic circle. Since 2021, I’ve lived in a complete of three totally different areas in Finnish Lapland so as: Salla, Sodankylä and Kilpisjärvi. I’ve additionally labored in a complete of seven totally different Greenland-based fish factories all in numerous, principally small and distant, areas, regardless of hating fish.

I personal no automotive and by no means needed one. To get to the very best images areas in Finnish Lapland, I journey an inexpensive handbook bicycle even within the winter months. Riding in deep snow through the winter is extraordinarily tough, however I comply with snowmobile tracks which compact the snow sufficient to permit me to get round.

Prior to shifting to Lapland, I had by no means owned a digital camera and I virtually by no means took pictures. However, simply watching the aurora captured my consideration and made me need to doc them, too. It rapidly turned a pastime for me to play with the mix of the foreground and the northern lights to craft a photograph the place every little thing works collectively.

For my first digital camera, I selected the Sony a7S, which was wonderful for the job. However, the battery life was terrible and sometimes I’d be in a scenario the place I’ve lovely northern lights within the sky, however a number of lifeless batteries in my pockets. In these moments, I’d sacrifice my fingers by taking gloves off, regardless of how chilly it might need been. It undoubtedly makes working issues loads quicker and simpler, however since components of the gear have been made from aluminum, it was extremely chilly to the touch and if there was no option to transfer my fingers anymore to press the shutter button, I’d use my jaw.

These days, I exploit a Sony a7R IV and I discover that the batteries are considerably higher. I additionally upgraded my outdated aluminum tripod and use the Peak Design Travel Tripod, which isn’t solely extra light-weight, but additionally extra pleasant to my fingers within the chilly.

I initially used Sigma Art lenses however discovered them to be heavy, so I switched to Sony’s G Master line and use the 14mm f/1.8 primarily as my go-to aurora lens. Situationally, I may additionally use the Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master because it permits for somewhat totally different kind of aurora pictures the place the 14mm might doubtlessly depart the foreground somewhat underwhelming.

The aurora chasing in Greenland has at occasions been somewhat spooky. Especially within the north throughout winter, the polar bear encounters should not uncommon. In among the areas that I’ve lived, they’re a frequent sight across the villages. So, strolling within the full darkness and not using a rifle and having only a faint headlight is unquestionably a “thrilling” expertise.

One of the photographsthat I captured whereas working in a small settlement of 100 individuals named “Qeqertaq” was published by NASA because the Astronomy Picture of the Day in 2023, which showcases a drifting iceberg beneath the northern lights.

In September, I’ll begin working in a slaughterhouse in South Greenland, a job I by no means thought I’d do as I’ve all the time struggled with regards to seeing blood, however this can permit me to discover the geographical area correctly. It additionally occurs to be the very best area of Greenland to see the aurora. In the north, the place I’ve spent most of my time, they’re much less frequent and principally within the southern aspect of the sky.

In future, I plan to take the aurora chasing experiences to the distant corners of Alaska, Nunavut, and Siberia the place I need to attempt to carry the weather of nature and tradition in pictures with the northern lights dancing within the skies.

With every northern lights show being somewhat totally different from one another it’s simple for me to stay concerned about them. The inexperienced is after all the commonest one, however at occasions you may witness different colours similar to pink, pink and even blue. The lights additionally creates attention-grabbing shapes within the skies similar to spirals and generally even the form of an object or animal. In my case, I’ve seen a chook.

The pastime additionally retains me in a fine condition. After all, biking or swimming in deep snow is an effective exercise.

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About the Author: Dennis Lehtonen is a 29-year-old photographer from Finland with a powerful ardour for the evening skies and the polar areas. He lives a minimalistic, nomadic way of life and sometimes seeks experiences outdoors his consolation zone. More of his pictures might be discovered on Instagram.