Capturing a Mega Panorama at Vestrahorn
Capturing a Mega Panorama at Vestrahorn: A 9-Frame Masterpiece Under the Northern Lights
Vestrahorn, Iceland—one of the most photogenic mountains in the world—becomes even more magical when the Northern Lights dance above its jagged peaks. But capturing this moment in a way that does justice to its grandeur requires careful planning, precision, and technical expertise. In this blog, I’ll walk you through the process of executing a 9-frame mega panorama to produce a 3-meter-wide print that truly immerses the viewer in this breathtaking spectacle.
Preparation: Scouting and Timing
To capture the perfect panorama, preparation is key. Vestrahorn is best photographed from the Stokksnes Peninsula, where the black sand dunes provide incredible foreground interest. Checking aurora forecasts and cloud cover in advance ensures that you’re in the right place at the right time. Apps like Aurora Forecast and Clear Outside are invaluable tools for predicting conditions.
Gear and Settings
A shot of this magnitude requires the right equipment. Here’s what I used:
Camera: Fujifilm GFX 50S
Lens: Fujifilm GF 35mm f/4
Tripod: A sturdy tripod with a ball head for precise panning
Panoramic Head: Essential for maintaining alignment between frames
Intervalometer or Remote Shutter: To reduce vibrations
Execution: Capturing the Frames
Since the final image consists of nine vertical frames stitched together, precision in overlapping is crucial. Here’s the step-by-step process:
Set up your composition – Position the tripod so that the mountain and aurora fill the frame while maintaining space for the dunes in the foreground.
Dial in the settings – Shooting at night requires a balance between ISO, aperture, and shutter speed:
Aperture: f/4 to allow maximum sharpness and depth of field
Shutter Speed: 5-10 seconds (to capture aurora movement while minimizing star trails)
ISO: 1600-3200 (depending on brightness of aurora and ambient light)
Manual Focus – Use live view and magnify the screen to ensure the stars and mountain are tack sharp.
Overlap Frames by 30% – Moving systematically from left to right (or vice versa), ensure that each frame overlaps the previous one by at least 30% to make stitching seamless.
Maintain Horizon and Leveling – Keeping a consistent horizon line prevents distortions when merging the images later.
Post-Processing: Bringing the Mega Panorama to Life
Once the images are captured, the real magic happens in post-production.
Stitching the Panorama – Using Adobe Lightroom or PTGui, align and blend the frames into a single ultra-wide image.
Color Correction – The aurora can vary in intensity, so adjusting vibrancy, highlights, and contrast enhances its natural beauty.
Noise Reduction & Sharpening – Since high ISO was used, carefully reduce noise while preserving detail in the mountains and foreground.
Final Cropping & Resizing – Ensuring the image maintains its aspect ratio while optimizing for a large 3-meter print.
The Final Result: A Print Worthy of a Gallery
The end product is a 3-meter-wide, ultra-detailed panorama that captures not just the scene but the emotion of witnessing the Northern Lights over Vestrahorn. The scale, colors, and intricate details immerse the viewer, making them feel as if they were standing there on the icy shores of Iceland.
This level of precision and execution takes practice, but when everything aligns—both technically and atmospherically—the results are nothing short of breathtaking.
Would you take on the challenge of creating a mega panorama under the Northern Lights? Let me know in the comments or share your own experiences photographing the aurora!
