I Photographed the Midnight Sun at 2 A.M. — And It Broke My Brain
📍 Shot during our photo expedition in Lofoten, June 2025
This is not golden hour. This is 2 a.m. in the Arctic Circle. The sun never sets, the sky burns red, and we’ve been shooting for five hours straight. Welcome to Norway’s Lofoten Islands, where golden light lasts all night — and landscape photography becomes something else entirely.
In this behind-the-scenes video, we’ll show you what it’s like to shoot a real photo expedition under the midnight sun, including all the field tips, gear advice, and location scouting insight you need to plan your own adventure.
📺 Watch the full video here:
📸 What Is Midnight Sun Photography Really Like?
We’re not in a studio. We’re not testing cameras on a tripod in our backyard. We’re in the wild Arctic, climbing hills, chasing fog, waiting for light, and shooting into the wind at 1 a.m. It’s cold. It’s beautiful. It’s challenging. And it’s exactly the kind of moment that defines a true landscape photo workshop.
In June, the sun in the Arctic never drops below the horizon. That means you get continuous sidelight — soft, magical, golden tones for hours. Some of the best moments come around 00:45–01:15, but you can easily shoot from 22:00 to 03:00.
We plan each night based on cloud layers, tides, location accessibility and timing — and we always keep moving. This is the power of a flexible photo expedition: no fixed schedule, just the best light every day.
Tips for Shooting in Midnight Sun Conditions
Gear: Bring a full-frame camera with strong dynamic range. We use Sony A1, but any recent model works. Wide-angle lenses are essential — we love Zeiss Loxia, Sony GM, or equivalents from Nikon Z and Canon RF. Don’t bring big telephotos; this is about expansive light and space.
Must-have equipment:
Tripod (medium height, carbon if possible)
Circular polarizer
ND filters (6–10 stops)
Microfiber cloth
Trekking poles (optional for hikes)
Settings: Shoot at f/11 and ISO 100 when possible. If the wind calms, add ND filters and go for long exposures. If windy, skip ND and increase ISO. Always bracket exposures — the dynamic range demands it.
Bonus tip: Watch for reflections. Puddles hold color longer than the sky. One of our best shots came from a ditch glowing red at 2 a.m.
Is It Worth It? Absolutely
Midnight Sun photography challenges your mind, body, and habits. It messes with your sleep cycle. But it rewards you with unrepeatable images.
And if you want to experience this for yourself, we’d love to guide you. Our upcoming Midnight Sun Lofoten Photo Tour 2026 is open for booking — a carefully crafted experience led by Jan Šmíd, Master QEP, and a team of experienced landscape photographers.
🧭 See the full details & reserve your spot: 👉 www.smidphotography.com/lofoten-midnight-sun-2026
Want More Arctic Light?
If you love the look of this video and want to go even deeper, check out our full range of Lofoten photo workshops — we offer:
Summer Midnight Sun Expeditions (June 2026) ☀️
Autumn Photo Tour (September 2025) 🍂
Winter Northern Lights Workshops (February 2026) ❄️
Each offers a completely different look, vibe, and shooting challenge — but all include personalized instruction, deep local knowledge, and spectacular scenery.
📷 Shot on Location – Lofoten, Norway
This tutorial was filmed during our Winter Lofoten Photo Expedition, where seascape photography is at its best. The Arctic light, moody weather, and raw landscapes create ideal conditions for capturing stunning coastal scenes. The Northern Lights can be photographed not only in Lofoten, but also in places like Iceland. You can join us there too – check out our photo expeditions to this amazing location in autumn 2025 and spring 2026.
If you’d like to experience this for yourself, join one of our upcoming photo expeditions:
👉 View All Photo Expeditions
🔗 Useful Links
🌟 Final Thought
Photography is about chasing light, pushing through limits, and making images no one else dares to. The Midnight Sun gives you that opportunity in every way.
🎥 Watch the video. 📸 Join the expedition. And see how far your photography can go.
❓ FAQ: Midnight Sun Landscape Photography in Lofoten
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Yes — during summer in the Arctic Circle, the sun never sets. This creates hours of low, golden light around midnight. It’s one of the most surreal conditions a landscape photographer can experience.
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Not at all. While full-frame cameras and good lenses help, many of our participants shoot stunning images with mid-range gear or even smartphones. The key is understanding light and composition.
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Typically: ISO 100, f/11, and shutter speed adjusted with or without ND filters. Bracketing is strongly recommended to capture the full dynamic range.
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It can be a challenge — but it’s also part of the adventure. Most photographers quickly adapt to the rhythm of night shooting and rest during the day. It’s incredibly rewarding.
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Absolutely! We run multiple Midnight Sun Photo Expeditions in Lofoten every year. Visit the Expeditions page to check available dates and join the next tour.