Nguyen Duy Phu’s passion for the aurora did not come naturally. It was a journey of perseverance and the ability to overcome both physical and mental challenges. To hunt for the aurora, he had to wait for hours in harsh weather, facing the freezing cold of Northern Europe. At those times, patience and health were the two most important factors. However, all those difficulties were worth it when he had the opportunity to watch the brilliant streaks of light flying across the starry sky, sometimes appearing as the shape of an eagle or a crane, depending on the intensity and shape of the aurora each night.
The first moment of seeing the aurora was a special experience that Nguyen Duy Phu will never forget. In 2013, when he happened to go photographing the Milky Way, he unexpectedly caught the aurora with his naked eyes without any prior preparation. He recounted the feeling of surprise and excitement at that time, but also regretted not knowing how to record this magical phenomenon with a camera: “After that, I learned more about how to hunt for aurora, from researching this phenomenon to learning appropriate photography techniques.”
Preparing for an aurora hunting trip is not easy. He has to rely on aurora and weather forecasting apps to choose the best time and location. The prerequisite for seeing the aurora is that the sky must be clear, without clouds or fog. In addition, Phu always brings enough drinking water, snacks, warm clothes, and necessary equipment. The weather in Northern Europe changes very quickly, so careful preparation is an important factor to ensure safety and success. There are nights when he has to drive more than two hundred kilometers to avoid clouds, even going further to ensure that customers can see the aurora with their own eyes.
In addition, to hunt for the aurora, finding special locations also requires careful preparation. Deserted beaches or lakes are often chosen by him because of their ability to create beautiful reflections, bringing a magical feeling. However, the biggest challenge he faces is strong winds, which reduce the quality of the photos and sometimes obscure the aurora. In such situations, he flexibly switches to timelapse filming to record the movement of light, creating mesmerizing videos.
To get the best photos, Nguyen Duy Phu uses a Sony A7IV professional camera with a 14mm f/1.8 GM ultra-wide-angle lens. He said that a sturdy tripod is an indispensable piece of equipment on any aurora hunting trip. Aurora photography can be divided into two main styles. The first is capturing the aurora bands flying across the sky, focusing on the magical movement and color of the light. The second is capturing landscapes with aurora as the highlight, combining the magical light with natural scenery such as lakes, mountains or beaches. He always tries to do both styles if the destination has all the right factors.
Aurora photography can be divided into two main styles
Hunting for the aurora borealis not only has personal meaning but also leaves a deep impression on those who accompany him. For many people, this is a rare opportunity to admire one of the most magical natural phenomena. For Phu, every time he sees the aurora borealis, he feels relaxed, forgetting the pressures of life and work. Sipping a cup of hot coffee, watching the streaks of light flying in the sky, he feels like he is re-energized, ready to face all the challenges ahead.
For Phu, every time he sees the aurora, he feels relaxed and forgets the pressures of life and work.
In the future, Nguyen Duy Phu plans to explore the aurora borealis in Alaska, one of the most famous places in the world to admire this magical natural phenomenon. For him, each aurora borealis hunting trip is not only a personal journey but also an opportunity to learn and accumulate new experiences from different lands.
In addition, he also wants to share his knowledge and experience with those who share the same passion, from how to prepare equipment, choose time and location, to weather prediction techniques and take photos most effectively. He believes that imparting practical experiences will help aurora lovers, whether new or experienced, feel more confident in their journey of discovery.
