Iceland Old house near Njarðvík, West Iceland

Near the airport, I found this old house that makes a perfect foreground for northern lights photography. If you're nearby with a late departure or staying overnight in the area but don't have time to drive further out, this is a great spot to capture the aurora borealis with an interesting foreground.

Use a wide-angle lens with a fast aperture (f/1.4–f/2.8) and start with an exposure of 3-8 seconds. If it's too bright go lower with your speed like I did. Adjusting your ISO according to the brightness of the aurora. A tripod is essential, and a short exposure helps preserve the movement and details of the lights. Include the jetty in your composition to add depth and scale.

You can park close to the house. There are several options along the street. If you sleep in Njarðvík you can easily walk to the spot in between 5-15 minutes.