The Northern Lights Photographer of the Year 2024 contest showcased awe-inspiring images capturing the mesmerizing beauty of the aurora borealis. Photographers from around the world submitted breathtaking entries that celebrated the vibrant hues and ethereal movements of this natural wonder.
From dramatic Arctic landscapes illuminated by shimmering lights to creative compositions blending stars and snow, the winning photos demonstrated exceptional technical skill and artistic vision. These images not only highlight the photographers’ talent but also the captivating magic of the northern lights, inspiring viewers to appreciate the splendor of our night skies.
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#1. “The Red Aurora Wall” by Vincenzo Mazza
"I’ve witnessed countless aurora displays in my life, but this one had possibly the most intense red color I’ve ever seen. It was so vivid that it was clearly visible to the naked eye."
#2. “Cosmic Explosion” by Uroš Fink
"On the night of the Perseid meteor shower, I was treated to a “multi-course menu” of the night sky. I captured the Milky Way arch with Orion, the Aurora (a first for me), the Zodiacal light, and the Perseid meteors. As if that wasn’t enough, the sky gifted me with one of the most stunning greenish airglows I’ve ever seen. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the close conjunction of Jupiter and Mars, right along the path of the Zodiacal light."
#3. “Sky Fire” by Tom Rae
"The Milky Way arches over the dramatic landscape of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, captured during a rare G5 geomagnetic storm in May 2024. This aurora display was one of the most breathtaking sights I’ve ever witnessed—a magical evening watching the lights dance across the crystal-clear sky. The excitement was shared by everyone under the stars, as this aurora was potentially the strongest in a century."
#4. “Aurora Mill” by Tobias Thäle
This night will remain unforgettable. Between May 10th and 11th, a massive solar storm struck Earth with incredible force. It was triggered by a large sunspot area and an X-class solar flare (magnitude 1.0) accompanied by a full-halo coronal mass ejection (CME). A total of three CMEs reached Earth, interacting and amplifying each other.
#5. “Aurora Australis” by Marc Adamus
"I’m not sure if an aurora had ever been recorded in Patagonia before, but we got incredibly lucky on the night of May 10, 2024, when a G5 storm hit. We were camped on an iceberg beach, deep in the wilderness of the Patagonia Fjords, when the incredible display unfolded."
#6. “Magic of the North” by Josh Beames
"I’ve dreamed of capturing this shot for years, and this year, everything aligned perfectly! During my annual Iceland workshop, our group witnessed the sheer power of nature as Iceland’s most recent active volcano erupted just days before."
#7. “Coronal Mass Eruption” by Matt Haynie
"After finally capturing the elusive Northern Lights in mid-latitudes on May 10th, 2024, I was hooked. I realized there was more to predicting the aurora’s appearance than just relying on the KP forecast, so I learned how to read the charts that determine when the lights can reach mid-latitudes."
#8. “Sky and Ice” by Henry Frakes
"On this night, we were expecting one of the strongest solar storms of 2024, and with the vast, dark skies of the South Island of New Zealand, it was the perfect opportunity to make the most of it."
#9. “Coronation” by Roksolyana Hilevych
"That day, after a storm of mixed snow and rain, the sky fortunately cleared after 8 p.m. (about an hour after sunset). As I walked to my location, I could already see red hues peeking through the clouds. The adrenaline and excitement were so overwhelming that I hardly noticed the cold and strong wind, which never let up during the night at 2,450 meters above sea level."
#10. “Celestial Reflection” by Max Trafford
"This was my second encounter with the Northern Lights, and what an unforgettable experience it was. After a long day at work and a steady stream of Aurora alerts on my phone, I left at 5 p.m., grabbed my camera gear, and headed to the darkest spot I knew. With no phone service, I wasn’t sure if the high activity would last through the night, but I remained hopeful and began capturing photos."
#11. “Gibson Glow” by David Tanis
"There was a lot of anticipation for this special night, as everyone knew it would be a spectacular event. This gave photographers plenty of time to prepare. I wanted to create something unique, focusing on framing and the foreground. I chose Gibson Steps, away from city lights, as my location. The beach was crowded with photographers and onlookers because the aurora would be visible to the naked eye."
#12. “A Historic Night: Northern Lights at Étretat” by Julien Looten
"This rare G5 solar storm was observable across France at mid-latitudes, a region unaccustomed to such displays. For two years, I traveled regularly to the cliffs of Étretat (latitude 49.43), several hours from home, hoping to capture the aurora over this iconic landscape. After many unsuccessful attempts, my perseverance was finally rewarded."
#13. “28° Aurora” by Efrén Yanes
"The night of May 10th was one of the most unforgettable moments since I became a photographer. I went to Teide National Park in Tenerife with the intention of capturing a circumpolar shot with the endemic tajines in bloom. After setting up my camera and finding the perfect composition, I hit the shutter. To my surprise, the camera screen showed a strange red color on the horizon. It wasn’t light pollution, but something I had never seen before."
#14. “Canyon Lights” by Evan Watts
"The May 11 solar storm, one of the strongest in years, presented a perfect opportunity to photograph the aurora over my home area: Yellowstone National Park. Early in the night, I captured a few good shots, but as the storm intensified, the lights seemed strongest to the east. I started thinking of iconic Yellowstone viewpoints that faced east and dreamed of capturing the aurora over the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River."
#15. “In the Rays of the Solar Wind” by Sergey Korolev
"The Rybachy Peninsula, where this photo was taken, is located at the northern edge of the Kola Peninsula. It’s a unique natural area, home to many fascinating locations with numerous stone beaches and rocks featuring unusual shapes and structures. I fell in love with this place during my first visit 10 years ago, and now, every year, I try to return and capture something new."
#16. “Auroras en el Infierno” by Edén Sánchez
"Seeing the Northern Lights with such intensity in Asturias is a dream come true. I remember talking with friends years ago, saying, “All we’re missing are the auroras…” And that day finally arrived! I came across several alerts on social media along with notifications from a few mobile apps—all signs pointed to something big."
#17. “When the Aurora Meets the Milky Way” by Jānis Paļulis
"On that night, I had originally planned to photograph the Perseid meteor shower, but the aurora forecast also looked promising, though it wasn’t my main focus at the time. I took a few photos of the stars, and then I noticed a pink glow in the corner of the sky. It was the aurora! I pointed my camera toward the southwest and took my best shot. The weather conditions were perfect, with fog adding to the atmosphere. Around midnight, the aurora display became truly stunning."
#18. “Paddling Under the Aurora” by Herry Himanshu
"I live in Saskatchewan, Canada, so I’ve seen and captured the aurora hundreds of times before, but that night in Banff National Park, Alberta, was unlike any other. As luck would have it, I was in Banff for a wedding that weekend when massive CMEs were predicted to hit Earth directly. As soon as it got dark, the aurora came out swinging, with vivid hues of reds, pinks, and purples dancing across the sky."
#19. “High Trails” by Giulio Cobianchi
"I never imagined capturing the Northern Lights at 32.7 degrees north latitude, but on May 10, 2024, it happened while I was in Madeira. That night, I created another one of my “double arc” panoramas. After finishing a spring photo tour with nonstop sunrises, I was exhausted. This wasn’t part of my plan, but when aurora alerts lit up and the skies stayed clear, I couldn’t miss the opportunity."
#20. “Looking North” by Lynsey Schroeder
"It’s not every day that the Northern Lights make it as far south as Southern Arizona! I’ve been captivated by the aurora ever since I first saw it in Iceland in 2018, so when I heard there was a chance to witness it here, I didn’t hesitate to grab my gear and head into the desert with a couple of friends."
#21. “Lake Toolondo Aurora” by Baillie Farley
"In the early hours of the morning, Lake Toolondo was transformed into a light show. A massive solar storm illuminated the sky with bursts of red, orange, and pink, dancing above the still waters. The colors reflected off the lake, creating an almost mirror-like effect that felt surreal to witness."
#22. “Devil’s Lights” by Forest Barkdoll-Weil
"May 10, 2024: Aurora forecasts promised an incredible display, so I drove to Devils Tower, Wyoming, to witness the event. The solar storm delivered, reaching a historic KP9, with auroras visible worldwide. As the vibrant lights danced overhead, my father was undergoing emergency surgery two thousand miles away in Maine. It was a surreal night—awed by the celestial beauty above, yet grappling with worry for my dad."
#23. “African Savanna Under the Lights of Southern Aurora” by Egor Goryachev
"Everyone remembers that May night when the Northern Lights were visible across Europe and America. Unbelievably, I had the chance to witness them in Namibia, near the Tropic of Capricorn. Early in the night, the eastern sky was clear, where the Milky Way was set to rise. Seizing the opportunity, I prepared my gear for a 50mm panorama."
#24. “Magical Night in Monegros” by Víctor Bolea
"My homeland, Los Monegros, has always captivated me with its unique beauty and arid, almost otherworldly landscape. On the famous night of the auroras, I hadn’t planned to go out, but a message from a friend of mine changed everything. I decided to venture into the heart of the Monegros desert. The sky promised to be clear and full of stars—perfect for capturing the Milky Way—but nothing could have prepared us for what we were about to witness."
#25. “Carpe Diem” by Adrian Cormier
"May 10, 2024, began like any other new moon cycle for me. I was shooting at one of my favorite spots along the Sonoma coastline. Around 2:30 a.m., I was surprised to feel my phone buzz with a notification, as my location had sporadic cell coverage. The alert was one I never expected—and will never forget! A fellow Sony Alpha photographer, who was in Nepal at the time, messaged me: “Get as far north as you can by sunset, it’s going down tonight!” A historic geomagnetic storm, possibly peaking at G5, was predicted."
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