Viewing and photographing the northern lights in Sioux Lookout 

Reeti Meenakshi Rohilla - Staff Writer

Seeing and capturing the northern lights can be a thrilling experience. A Sioux Lookout based landscape photographer, Justin Stevens shared, “Sioux lookout is a great place to take photos of the northern lights due to it being a remote area you can drive any direction and see them within 10 minutes of the town as long as they are bright enough.”

Stevens, who has been photographing the aurora borealis for about 10 years now, captured some stunning photos last month. He shared that while the northern lights can be seen all year long, the sky is crisper during the colder months. 

Stevens shared, “There are apps you can download, as well as websites that give forecasts on when the lights might be active and if you’re able to see them in the location you’re in. If you Google “aurora borealis forecast” you can find when they are active, then also check the weather to ensure for clear skies. You will need to find somewhere dark with not much light pollution. I normally try to find a lake or a field for the best view.”

While seeing the northern lights can be a true delight, capturing them can get challenging. Stevens shared, “In order to achieve the best photos of the aurora borealis, I would suggest investing in the right equipment; buy a good camera, a wide angle lens and a tripod.” In an article written by Stevens that was published in the Northern Ontario Travel magazine (https://bit.ly/36uv6sQ), he shares tips to take better photos of the northern lights. Stevens suggests anyone who encounters light interference to position themselves with any possible light sources behind them. He also adds that it is better to scope out potential spots during the day. He stressed practicing shots and experimenting with the camera settings for a better knowledge of how to achieve the desired photo. 

Anyone looking to view other photographs taken by Stevens can follow him on Instagram @photographybyjustin2, and also on Facebook (Justin T Stevens). Stevens concluded, “I think that everyone should experience how magical the northern lights are. We are so lucky to live in a place where we can view them so easily.”