Slideshow: 2022 Northern Lights Photographer of the Year winners

2022 Northern Lights Photographer of the Year winners

The 25 winning images from the 5th edition of Northern Lights Photographer of the Year have been announced. Capture the Atlas is a travel blog co-run by Dan Zafra. Throughout the year, a list of what he deems the best takes of the Northern Lights is culled into a collection. Images from both established and up-and-coming photographers qualify for the final cut. Zafra is also intrigued by captures of new locations that haven’t been photographed too frequently.

The winners were created by 25 photographers of 13 nationalities. Locations cover numerous countries including the United States, Canada, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Russia and New Zealand. Rare scenes shot in Denmark and the State of Michigan are included in this round up. Zafra also places emphasis on stories the photographers share alongside their work.

‘It is hard to imagine that these lights happen 80 kilometers above out heads and yet it covers the frame.’

‘Capture the Atlas does such a wonderful job curating the most inspirational Northern Lights photographs from around the world. It’s humbling to be included! Seeing the collection as a whole inspired me to keep “reaching for the stars” so to speak,’ says Marybeth Kiczenski, who won for her portrayal of Michigan’s Point Betsie lighthouse.

‘I am honored to be among the selected images in this collection. There are many photographers that capture the Auroras these days and I am glad my image caught the attention this year,’ adds Tor-Ivar Næss. ‘If I think about what inspired the shot, it must be to show some sense of scale. It is hard to imagine that these lights happen 80 kilometers above our heads and yet they cover the frame.’

If you’re looking for more information on getting started with Northern Lights photography, Capture the Atlas provides numerous resources. Zafra also encourages you to message him back and share your photography journey when you sign up for the newsletter. All winning images can be viewed on the main site.

Winner: ‘Michigan Night Watch’ by Marybeth Kiczenski

Location: Point Betsie Lighthouse

Artist Statement: Lady Aurora waits for no photographer or schedule. However, when I returned from Canada to Chicago, I was greeted by an Aurora forecast that was slated to be quite good (G1/G2 with a slight possibility of G3 conditions).

I decided to choose Point Betsie as my main location for this Aurora chase. I was greeted with quite heavy winds but a beautiful sunset and warm weather. It was super busy since it was a Friday, and there were good conditions for Auroras. It was fun to make some new friends, and we chatted while waiting for Lady Aurora to make an appearance.

Around 11:30pm, she made herself known. We cheered. We clapped. This is what makes all of it worth it! Afterward, we packed up and drove the three hours back to Martin, MI, to start work for the day. Ah, the life of an Aurora chaser!

EXIF: Sky: ISO 3200, F2, 4 seconds; Foreground: ISO 2000, F7.1, 30 seconds. Focus stack.

Camera Gear: Nikon Z6 Astromodified, Nikkor 20mm F1.8S, Slik USA Pro 500DX Tripod

Winner: ‘Auroraverse’ by Tor-Ivar Næss

Location: Nordreisa, Norway

Artist Statement: When the Northern Lights go crazy in the night sky, focusing on your composition is worth the utmost effort because there is so much happening so quickly.

Even for a seasoned photographer, it’s very hard to focus on enjoying the Aurora while photographing it.

EXIF: 12mm, ISO 5000, 6 seconds, F2.8

Camera Gear: Sony a1, Sony 12-24mm F2.8 GM, Sirui W2204 tripod

Winner: ‘Under a Northern Sky’ by Rachel Jones Ross

Location: Tombstone Mountain Range, Yukon Territory, Canada

Artist Statement: The northern sky is utterly fascinating.

We have all heard stories about the land of the Midnight Sun: in the summer, the sun doesn’t really set, and in the winter, nights are long with no sun, or very little sun at all. But there are also 3–4 days each month when the moon doesn’t set (circumpolar) and 3–4 days each month when it doesn’t rise!

Before I left, I checked the moon calendar, and I was a bit disappointed to see that my visit would coincide with a waxing gibbous approaching a full moon. But on closer investigation, there were four nights when the moon didn’t make it above the horizon, and I had dark nights for shooting the Aurora!

EXIF: Sky: ISO 3200, 1 second, F2.8; Foreground: ISO 3200, 1/60 seconds, F2

Camera Gear: Sony a1, Sony 12-24 F2.8 GMaster, Slik USA CF 730

Winner: ‘The Light Upon Kerlaugar’ by Jannes Krause

Location: Suðurland, Iceland

Artist Statement: I was lucky enough to witness a fantastic KP 8 display on my trip to Iceland back in October. Not only that, but it was also my first time experiencing and photographing the Northern Lights.

Originally my flight back home was scheduled to depart about 12 hours before this intense solar storm, but as soon as I saw the perfect weather and Aurora projections, I knew that I just had to change my plans and extend my trip by an additional day. Things finally came together, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the images I got.

EXIF: Sky: ISO 6400, 5 seconds, F4; Foreground: ISO 1600, 25 seconds, F5.6

Camera Gear: Nikon Z6II, Nikkor 14-30mm F4 S, Manfrotto Element + Leofoto G2

Winner: ‘Chasing the Light’ by David Erichsen

Location: Castner Glacier, Alaska, USA

Artist Statement: As a kid growing up, chasing the Northern Lights had always been a mystical dream. Even though I’ve been lucky enough to witness quite a few shows over the last few years, it never gets old.

What’s not pictured in this shot are the several nights I wandered out to this cave in sub-zero temperatures waiting for just a hint of green to dance through this frozen window. After repeatedly striking out, I finally got another opportunity on a night following a huge G2 with clear skies.

I knew the recent CME (coronal mass ejection) might be strong enough to make this 2-hour midnight hike worth the journey. As I made my way out to the cave, my walk quickly became a full-on run as I saw the sky split open with magnificent color. Sadly, the ice cave collapsed on itself a couple months ago, which just shows that you have to chase every opportunity before it’s gone.

EXIF: Sky: ISO 500, 2.5 seconds, F2.8; Foreground: ISO 1000, 25 seconds F3.2

Camera Gear: Sony a7RIII, Sony 12-24GM, Peak Design Carbon Fiber Tripod, Lume Cubes (used to lighten up the cave)

Winner: ‘Captain Hook’ by Mattia Frenguelli

Location: Kirkjufell, Iceland

Artist Statement: October 11, 2021.

This day will probably remain etched in my memory forever.

It’s difficult to explain with words since to fully understand it you had to be there. To take this photo, I had to stay focused while contemplating this immense spectacle of nature, trying to stay as calm as possible despite my strong emotions.

Unexpectedly, this was one of the most prominent displays of the Northern Lights in recent years, with a KP 6.33. This powerful solar explosion caused blackouts across India, (as the newspapers reported the following day), but paved the way for this beautiful light show.

EXIF: Panoramic from 5 vertical photos. 16mm, ISO 5000, 3 seconds, F2.8

Camera Gear: Canon EOS R, Canon EF 16-35 F2.8 III, Leofoto LS-364C CF

Winner: ‘Red Skies’ by Ruslan Merzlyakov

Location: Nykøbing Mors, Denmark

Artist Statement: Absolutely insane red pillars of the Aurora showed up above Limfjord, just a 3-minute drive from my house.

Many think that Denmark, being placed far away from the general Northern Lights activity, is not an ideal place to see the Aurora. This might be true, but there is always hope for magic during the darkest months of the year.

I have been photographing the night sky for more than 10 years, and I always try to inspire people to go outside to experience our wonderful night skies and explore the unknown.

The happiness you feel when watching the sky glow like this in your hometown is unforgettable.

EXIF: ISO 1600, 10 seconds, F1.8

Camera Gear: Canon EOS 6D astromodified, Sigma 14mm F1.8, Manfrotto tripod

Winner: ‘Polaris Dream’ by Nico Rinaldi

Location: Murmansk Oblast, Russia

Artist Statement: I had dreamed about photographing the landscapes of Northern Russia for a long time, and this year it came true! There, you feel like you’re in the realm of snow monsters, in a landscape where the mountains and trees are dominated by ice and snow. That night, the Northern Lights put on an incredible show!

It was hard work to get to this place, since exploring this location and organizing logistics required a lot of time, effort and the help of the friendly locals we found in our path. I only hope we can see the peace reestablished soon and re-connect with so many incredible people and landscapes on this planet.

EXIF: Sky: 14mm, ISO 4000, 6 seconds, F2.8; Foreground: 14mm, ISO 800, 180 seconds, F4,

Camera Gear: Nikon D850, Nikkor 14-24mm F2.8, Fotopro Tripod T63-C

Winner: ‘Emerald Howl’ by Itai Monnickendam

Location: Kolari, North Finland

Artist Statement: The Northern Lights are amazing. Seeing them is an experience I wish everyone could have, and it’s a great pleasure bringing a friend to witness it for the first time.

However, in photography, it’s a bit different. The lights, amazing as they can be, can’t stand on their own and must be a part of a strong composition that tells the story of the place, the time, and the experience.

That’s why I was so happy that everything converged nicely that moonlit night. An amazing show in the sky, a unique and less familiar location I found when preparing for the trip, and a wonderful group that encouraged me to stay out for a few more hours after a long day. Without a doubt, it was a night to remember!

EXIF: 15mm, ISO 2500, 12 seconds, F2.8

Camera Gear: Nikon D810, Tamron 15-30mm F2.8 G2, Leofoto LS-324C, RRS BH-40

Winner: ‘Queen of the North’ by Pierpaolo Salvatore

Location: Iceland

Artist Statement: Seeing the Northern Lights dance above one of the most beautiful mountains in Iceland is a difficult experience to put into words. Imagine the wind in your face, the smell of the sea, and the sound of the waves on the rocks while the Queen of the North dances in the sky.

I love nature in all its forms precisely because it offers moments like this.

EXIF: Sky: ISO 6400, 5 seconds, F2.8; Foreground: ISO 3200, 60 seconds, F2.8

Camera Gear: Canon 6D Mark II, Tamron 15-30 F2.8, Fotopro T-roc Plus

Winner: ‘Green Balls’ by Jose D. Riquelme

Location: Teriberka, Russia

Artist Statement: Last February, I took a trip to explore Northern Russia. The place was very inhospitable, but we had some spectacular encounters with the ‘Green Lady.’

I took this image in Teriberka at about -30ºC. At these temperatures, you can only leave your tripod in one position because it will freeze, and you won’t be able to get it up or down, and therein laid the challenge of finding the perfect composition.

EXIF: ISO 3000, 14mm, F1.8, 4 sec

Camera Gear: Canon 6D Mark II, Sigma 14mm F1.8

Winner: ‘Magic Night’ by Anastasia & Aleksey R.

Location: Kola Peninsula, Russia

Artist Statement: There aren’t many events that are as moving as seeing the Aurora Borealis illuminate the night sky in a dance of mesmerizing movements and vibrant colors.

I took this image on the Kola Peninsula. The beautiful thing about this area is that most rivers don’t freeze. Wandering around winter rivers coated in rime ice is one of the most magical experiences but also one of the most difficult to capture.

Temperatures often drop below -30ºC, and moving through the fragile snow with snowshoes and a headlamp makes for a great challenge in hiking and composing images.

EXIF: Foreground: ISO 1600, 20 seconds, F4, two-shot focus stack; Sky: ISO 3200, 2 seconds, F2.8

Camera Gear: Nikon Z6 II, Nikkor Z 14-24mm F2.8 S, Manfrotto tripod

Winner: ‘An Explosion of Color’ by Vincent Beudez

Location: Tromsø, Norway

Artist Statement: On this night, the Aurora forecast was very promising, but I was not expecting anything like this. It was cloudy all over Senja, where I was staying, so I had to drive a few hours to escape the clouds.

It was a really beautiful night, and I saw some ‘coronas’ and Northern Lights to the south. However, what happened at 3am was totally unexpected. A huge red Aurora traveled across the southern sky (visible with the naked eye), while a spectacular Aurora exploded just above my head.

This was by far the most colorful night I’ve ever witnessed up there, and it was a rare event that I’m very grateful to have been able to see.

EXIF: 14mm, ISO 6400, 1 second, F1.8

Camera Gear: Sony a7SIII, Sony 14mm F1.8, Leofoto tripod