Troms Region Travel Forum

Hi everyone, I'm wondering the light during the polar night. I mean, I'm planning a short trip in Tromso around 5-10 january 2008 and my first aim is to take pictures (and of course, see amazing places...). I understood, reading other posts, there should be light for few hours in the middle of the day. Is it right? Or is it completely dark 24hours a day? Anyone so gentle to describe me the reality?
Thank you so much!

I of course would recommend that you have a look at my tips from my visit to Tromso this year in February. Sunset was about 3pm. which is getting later and later on from January. When you will be there prior to 21 jan it will still be light enough to see though even though the days will be even shorter than or completely 'night' you will still be able to see - like a twilight darkness.

You will need to use a camera with high ISO values.
A cheap pocket camera won't do.

No worries for that! I use a Canon 350D but I prefer lowest ISO (100 with this camera) and the tripod.. Thanks anyway for the tip!
Cheers, Roberto

You'll be in Tromsø during the polar night, and even though it isn't completely dark 24 hours a day, this time of the year isn't exactly ideal for photography (in my opinion) - but you might get some nice northern lights shots, of course... :o) There are some hours of soft bluish light in the middle of the day, especially when the weather is nice - but it gets rather dark when it's cloudy. If you want "wintery" shots February / March is generally better (in my opinion), as you are "guaranteed" snow then - there might not be any snow at all in Tromsø in early January. (Most likely snow in the mountains surrounding town, but who knows with the weather we've been having lately!)

I currently live in Tromsø, and you'll find some pics taken during the polar night on my Norway and Tromsø pages.

Have fun!;o)

Well, actually I'm looking for special lights rather than "wintery shots". I love pictures taken at night, reflections on water and so on.. Anyway, I think it would be fine, other wise I'll be forced to come back in Norway again...:-).
Is it easy to find a nice point far from city lights to see northern lights, by public trasportation? I think it needs to be in a completely dark place to see them.
Thanks for your tips!
Cheers, Roberto

You don't really need to be in a "completely dark place" to see the northern lights - but of course, the middle of Storgata (the main street) is perhaps not the best place to spot the aurora... :-P There are guided northern lights tours available, and going on one of these might be an option (see www.destinasjontromso.no) - but you can also simply walk up to for example the Charlottenlund / Prestvannet area (some more info on my Tromsø page) on Tromsø island (half an hour or less from the town centre by foot)

Public transport in the Tromsø area generally isn't great - especially not at night.. I'd consider renting a car if you want to get out of town at night to see the northern lights.

Thanks for all your tips, I'll probably rent a car. I will decide as soon I'll be there. Hopefully the weather will be nice to see northern lights.
Enjoy your christmas time!
Cheers, Roberto

Funny thing, I have a website with absolutely stunning snowy photos of winter in Honningsvag, even farther north than Tromso, and some of those show some bright sun. Must have been taken in March or so. But it will give you an idea of how much better it would be to go later than January.

See http://www.ogp.nu/galleri/

Finally I got it!
To thanks every contributes on my question about the light I would be glad to share my pictures with you. My website was under restyling, now is again completely working.
If you like you can look few pictures of Norway (Oslo and Tromso) at this page: www.robertolorusso.com/norway.htm

Thanks again for all your replies.
Roberto

Wonderful photos! Very dramatic, and maybe more so than you would have got if you had had bright sunny days. Hope the trip was all you wished it would be.