Northern Lights Photography in Iceland
Photographing the northern lights in Iceland: tripod, manual focus, starting settings for ISO and shutter, phones, and the Reykjavik tours that take the photos for you.
Photographing the northern lights needs a tripod, focus set by hand on infinity and a long exposure, because a faint aurora often looks paler to the eye than it records in a long exposure. If you would rather watch than fiddle in the cold, book a tour that takes the pictures: Aurora Viking’s Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour w/Pro Photos - Small Group, from $165 a person (checked November 2026), sends a guide who is also the photographer.
The calendar above is Aurora Viking’s small-group photo tour, with 472 reviews (checked November 2026).
The starting settings
| Setting | Where to start | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Support | A tripod, and a 2-second timer or a remote | Exposures run several seconds; any touch blurs the stars |
| Focus | Manual, on infinity, checked on a bright star | Autofocus hunts in the dark |
| Aperture | The widest your lens allows, f/2.8 if you have it | Gathers the most light |
| ISO | About 1600, higher for a faint display | Brightness without too much noise |
| Shutter | About 10 to 15 seconds, shorter when the aurora moves fast | Long enough to record it, short enough to keep its shape |
| Stabilisation and flash | Off | Not needed on a tripod; a flash lights only the snow |
Common starting points from aurora photography guides; take a test shot, check it zoomed in, and change only the shutter as the display brightens or fades.
Phones with a night mode can record a strong display; hold the phone against something solid or use a small tripod.
Check dates for the photo tour
Tours that take the photos
Three tours on this site include pictures of you under the aurora. Aurora Viking’s guides carry high-spec cameras and lend Viking costumes and replica weapons for the night portraits; its minibus takes 18 at most and its retries are unlimited until you see the lights. Nordur Travel’s 4x4 tour has the guide photograph you under the lights, with hot chocolate, pastries and hand warmers. EastWest’s minibus for 19 includes free photos, though none are delivered if the lights do not appear. David The Guide’s group tour also photographs each group and emails the pictures within seven days.
Before you go out
Dress for standing still in the cold for long stretches, carry spare batteries in an inside pocket, and keep the screen dim so your eyes stay used to the dark. Light-coloured clothing comes out better in the guides’ pictures, as David The Guide suggests to its guests. And read the cloud map first (the forecast): the best settings record nothing through solid cloud.
Pick your photo tour
Reykjavik: Northern Lights Tour w/Pro Photos - Small Group
Minibus for 18; Viking costumes for the portraits; out again free until you see the lights.
Check dates →Northern Lights: 4x4 Tour with Treats, Hot Cocoa & Photos
The guide photographs you under the lights; pastries and hand warmers; rebook free for 2 years.
See the 4x4 tour →From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Guided Tour with Photos
Photos of your group emailed within 7 days; hot drinks, snacks and blankets; about 5 hours.
See the guided tour →Prices, ratings and review counts from the listings (GetYourGuide checked November 2026). Operators price by date and season, so treat the figures as the shape of the market, not a quote.
More Operators Out of Reykjavik
Northern Lights Tours with Open Dates
Aurora tours from Reykjavik with live availability. Times, retry terms and cancellation terms are on each listing.
Let the Guide Take the Picture
Aurora Viking's minibus for 18, a guide-photographer, and unlimited retries until you see the lights.
Check dates