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Photographing the Northern Lights: Condensation, the Northern Lights’ Worst Enemy
I know a guy who, after taking the photo of the century of the Northern Lights, lost it three hours later.
He would have loved to blame a stranger, telling the story of how, right after photographing the aurora, someone suddenly grabbed him and stole his DSLR. The truth is that, as he returned to the warmth of his cottage, he didn’t realize that the number one enemy of Northern Lights photographers was lying in wait: condensation. Poor guy. What a shame. He had worked so hard for it.
What caused the problem was the rapid transition from a cold outdoor environment to a warm indoor one. The sudden change in temperature created condensation, which slowly spread through every inch of his camera.
There are, however, a few simple precautions you can take to avoid condensation and earn your place among those who actually made it home with their aurora photos:
When you head out to photograph the aurora, stay calm. Breathe. Unless you only noticed at the very last minute that the whole sky had turned green, you have time to get organized. Once you step out into the cold, wait a few minutes before taking your camera out of your backpack. This way, it will cool down more gradually, and when you need to use it, you won’t get condensation on the lens.
When you’re done taking photos, remove the SD card and the battery. Put them in your pocket or inside your jacket so they can start warming up.
Put the camera away in your bag, strictly with the lens still attached. It’s already tricky enough to remove it under normal conditions—imagine doing it at -10°C and in the dark.
Leave everything in the bag and don’t touch anything for a couple of hours. You can look through your photos later—now is not the time.
The wait will have been worth it: you’ll be able to enjoy your Northern Lights shots.
You can also go aurora hunting with Tizio. Take a look at our ICELAND TOUR or our NORWAY TOUR.
PS: Tizio is me, 10 years ago, dealing with my very first Northern Lights photo.
Gab
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The staff was always available and quick to answer my questions. I had to change my departure date and didn't have the slightest problem. Our tour leader was wonderful, took us to every stop and even more. The travel group was a great mix and we had a blast!
Bruna Musu
July 2026
Ring Road in Iceland
The itinerary let us discover incredible and very different landscapes, alternating waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, black beaches, small villages and scenery that seems to belong to another planet. The added value was the group and our coordinator Nicola Ferrucci, a real expert and in love with Iceland. Thanks to him we had unforgettable experiences and visited places off the most touristy spots… he told us legends, curiosities and anecdotes that only someone passionate who knows the place perfectly can know.
Chiara Giammaroli
May 2026
The best trip I've ever...
The best trip I've ever taken. Not only for the place, which is breathtaking, but for the group and our guide, Roberta, Bibi to her friends. Yes, friends, because on this trip a fantastic synergy is created, thanks not only to the personality of each participant but also to Bibi's ability to involve everyone. Bibi was an amazing guide, she looked into everything, from the restaurant to every single grain of lava, so that we could experience Iceland to the fullest, passing on her enthusiasm and sensing, in every single moment, the mood of the group and the needs of each of us.
Mariateresa Vigilante
May 2026
Sta Gran Cappadocia 🇹🇷
I'm writing this review just back from a fantastic trip to Turkey (Istanbul + Cappadocia), what can I say, I couldn't have asked for better! It wasn't my first time with SGT and, as I'd already seen in the past, the trip definitely lived up to my expectations. A special thanks to our super team leader Marco Rotunno, who made us experience these magical places at their best ✨🫶🏼
Letizia Callegari
January 2026
Unforgettable Lapland
A perfect experience from every point of view! A trip lived 100% that met all my expectations! Visiting Lapland means putting yourself to the test, and I can say that without the organization, but above all without the involvement of our leader Alberto, I would have backed out. Alberto balanced every phase of our trip, staying serious while bringing a great spirit of involvement. His presence made all the difference! Every phase of our trip went smoothly, with no issues in timing, transfers or organization. Even for the little hiccups a quick and effective solution was found. I'd choose Sto Gran Tour again for my next trip with my eyes closed.
Rosita Pavone
November 2025
10 fantastic days in India
This was my fourth experience with Sto Gran Tour and once again I came back truly enthusiastic. A special thanks goes to our guide Chiara, a precise young woman, attentive to everyone's needs, reliable and always available, who accompanied us with professionalism, great passion and friendliness. The tour was organized impeccably: well-studied itineraries, perfect timing and a management of the trip that let us enjoy every moment without worries. I warmly recommend Sto Gran Tour to anyone looking for a serious, competent organization that brings out the best of every stop thanks to the professionalism of its guides. An experience to remember!!
Nicolò Verando
October 2025
Sto Gran Kenya
My first solo trip, and I couldn't have had a better guide! The legendary Cruz in the Bush took me among lions, giant animals, breathtaking sunsets and ocean waves. He knows every corner of Kenya, almost as if it were his home. If you need someone to rely on, trust him. There's never a shortage of laughs, but I won't spoil anything else: meet him in person and you won't regret it.
Denise Camboni
February 2026
Best experience ever
One of the best experiences of my life! I've done plenty of group trips, but this one beat them in every way! A team leader (Cate) full of enthusiasm and passion, perfect organization and better accommodation than many others! Not to mention all the extras. Thank you, Sto Gran Tour really is a great blast, but thanks above all to our Great Team Leader 🍌
Miriam Forte
November 2025
An exceptional first experience
An unforgettable experience in Vietnam: even though I left on my own, I immediately felt at ease with all the other participants (18 people). Very beautiful places, excellent organization, even considering that three days had to be rescheduled because of a typhoon that hit the central part of the country. Several bus transfers, some of them hours long, due to the shape of Vietnam itself, but we knew about it before departure. Team leader Roberto: a great person and an excellent professional. Happy I took part, I'd leave again tomorrow.
Matteo Monteverdi
November 2025
A truly memorable first trip to Japan
I joined the trip with my partner and it was our first time in Asia. The experience went beyond expectations. The itinerary was carefully planned, and credit also goes to our tour leader, Michele, who enriched every stop with clear explanations and his enthusiasm for Japanese culture. The route offered a really pleasant balance between cultural visits, discovering the local food and moments immersed in nature. The group we shared the trip with was a nice surprise too: curious, engaged people with a genuine desire to enjoy every moment. All in all, an experience I'd absolutely recommend to anyone who wants a first introduction to Japan that's well structured and engaging at the same time!
Fabio Rosato
March 2026
Lapland, hunting for the northern lights
I did the trip to Lapland organized by Sto Gran Tour (Dec–Jan) and the experience was excellent from every point of view. The itinerary was carefully planned: well-spread activities, zero downtime and the chance to truly live the essence of Lapland. From the northern lights to the husky excursions, every moment was handled with professionalism and care. Federico, our coordinator, was very knowledgeable, helpful and always ready to share fun facts about the area. I also really appreciated the punctuality and clarity of the organization: transfers, excursions and equipment always perfect. It's a trip I'd recommend to anyone who wants to experience Lapland without stress, with the reassurance of a serious organization and a level of care that really makes the difference. Sto Gran Tour passes with flying colors: an unforgettable experience.
Antonio
August 2026
Madeira with Marco
It's my second trip with StoGranTour and once again I was satisfied. I found the organization punctual and well structured, with clear directions and the peace of mind of being able to rely on the people in charge. My compliments go to our team leader, Marco Rotunno, who contributed a lot to the success of these eight days. He was engaging but never intrusive, kind, funny and always available, attentive to everyone's needs. An experience I recommend to those who love trekking and active holidays and, above all, to those who want to let themselves be surprised by a landscape, the beauty of a sunrise or a starry sky.
Simona Giordanengo
January 2026
Unique experiences
I've traveled with StoGranTour three times, visiting South Africa, Iceland and Morocco. On all three trips I met extremely well-prepared and knowledgeable guides, with a truly impeccable wealth of knowledge about the land, the flora and the local cultures. I warmly recommend traveling with them to anyone who wants to live a unique experience, thanks to itineraries and experiences planned down to the smallest detail and to fantastic tour leaders.
Chiara Nordera
February 2026
Sta Gran Lapland
Second trip with Sto Gran Tour and once again my expectations weren't let down! Thanks to a great group, a great team leader (Alberto) and an enchanted Lapland, even the -30° and the little mishaps turned into memories and stories to laugh about. The experiences on offer were all authentic and completely out of the comfort zone, which in my opinion is what you look for in a trip like this, a trip I'll always carry in my heart while waiting for the next one 💝
Cristina Intrieri
March 2026
If you're thinking about it, do it!
A wonderful experience, cleverly divided into daily goals; I never imagined I could visit so many spectacular places in a single day despite the distances. Our guide Sara was marvelous, super prepared and ready to solve any problem. I recommend this experience to those traveling solo too. The places we rested in were excellent as well, both for comfort and for their position to see the aurora.
Serena
April 2026
Namibia with Federica :)
I joined a trip to Namibia with Federica at the end of April 2026; besides her flawless organization, I want to praise her excellent preparation and her passion, which made this trip unforgettable. Very happy with the group of people I had the pleasure of meeting too! It was a rich trip in many ways, and what can I say about Namibia, it's undoubtedly a wonderful place!
Alessia
April 2026
Japan on the rails
This had been my dream trip since I was a child, so I left with high expectations… but it still managed to exceed them. I chose StoGranTour because it seemed the tour most in line with my way of traveling, and it turned out to be the right choice. The organization was excellent: every day had a well-structured program, with the chance to make small changes based on the group's needs. Plus, at the end of the activities, we always had some free time to explore on our own. The itinerary was carefully planned, but the real added value was our guide, Michele. With his passion and enthusiasm for Japanese culture, he made every visit interesting and never heavy. His explanations were clear and full of fun facts, some tied to the world of anime and video games, creating original connections with what we were seeing. We also really appreciated his choice of restaurants: he had us try excellent food in authentic places we would hardly have found on our own. Another thing that struck me positively was the group: on these trips you never know who you'll end up sharing the experience with, but I got along really well, which made everything even more enjoyable.
Maurizio Minetti
November 2025
Fuerteventura in November with Bibi!!!
The tour was absolutely positive and well organized, the itinerary complete and balanced, also taking winds and tides into account. Every day had something special: a sunset, a hidden spot, a fun fact about the place... Our team leader Bibi was simply fantastic. The fact that she has lived in Fuerte for a while was certainly a big plus: it let us experience the island authentically, with a few surprising unplanned moments too. At the same time she was very professional despite being "at home", which is not a given and was much appreciated. We felt Fuerteventura a little more ours thanks to her too, as she took us by the hand to every place with sensitivity and friendliness.
Francesca Stanco
March 2026
Trip to the Lofoten
It was my first group trip and it far exceeded my expectations. Besides the breathtaking landscapes, I have to say everything was organized down to the smallest detail, from the very nice and comfortable accommodation where we stayed to the itinerary and the activities chosen. Our team leader Nic was very well prepared and patient, ready to solve any hiccup and always offering us alternatives on what to do. With a group made up only of women, he managed to create a unique harmony. I recommend everyone travel with StoGranTour! See you on the next trip together ❤️
Giulia Ottaviani
April 2026
Thank you Sto Gran Tour!
My experience in Vietnam with Sto Gran Tour turned out to be magical. I loved every second of our trip and appreciated the organization and the attention to detail. The difference was certainly also made by Giulia, our team leader, from whom I learned so much: right from the start she proved very professional and knowledgeable. I'd do it again a thousand times. Thank you Sto Gran Tour!
Valeria Maresca
January 2026
Hakuna Matata!!!
Exciting trip to Kenya! Andrea made us live the "safari" to the fullest, cheerfully carting us from one animal to the next (he even knew the exact number of hairs on their bu...). Almost everything worked and even the hiccups were handled like a pro. Fantastic group, as only happens on unforgettable trips.
Amerigo degli Atti
January 2026
Fantastic trip to Vietnam
Back from a fantastic trip to Vietnam with Chiara, a flawless tour leader, always present and ready to talk things through with the group for any decision to be made. Wonderful places, between the chaos of the cities and the quietest, most magical green of nature. This is my third group trip and the first with Sto Gran Tour: really well done, with excellent organization.
Fabio Niero
January 2026
Trip to Morocco 🇲🇦
My first trip with Stograntour couldn't have gone better! I was lucky enough to live a very intimate experience, traveling with a tiny group of wonderful people. Morocco is marvelous and gave us intense emotions. The itinerary was well structured: we went from snowy mountains to the desert, crossed hills of argan trees to reach the immense ocean, and then ended up in the chaos, but also the chill, among the rooftops and gardens of Marrakech. Along the way we met fantastic people. In particular, I won't forget Jawad's welcome and generosity and the beautiful experience at his home. We were guided flawlessly by Rob, a perfect team leader: professional and passionate, but above all a true travel companion. Always smiling and helpful, sensitive and attentive. Thanks to everyone, and see you on the next adventure!
Cristina F.
August 2026
Scotland tour, August '26
It lets you drive all over Scotland and its gorgeous islands, focusing on its natural wonders, which you enjoy through scenic treks: the right balance between effort and views, doable for everyone. Yes, it will rain and it will be fantastic. Our tour leader Alberto was attentive to everyone's needs, balancing the sights of the towns we visited, Edinburgh above all, with the beauty of the land and the right dose of lightness, alternating effort and breaks to recharge.
Dario Conti
March 2026
Trip to Morocco
I left for Morocco at the end of March for my second trip with Stograntour and once again it was an all-round positive experience. The real added value for me is the organization, flawless and never trite in an itinerary that always goes a bit beyond expectations, and the skill of the team leaders: Ilaria was perfect! The group worked really well too, I'm taking home a great memory and I'm already thinking about the next trip!
Eleonora Tronconi
January 2026
My first group trip
It was my first group trip, and I was really satisfied with the organization and with how the trip was structured! Fantastic group, and what can I say about the guide: fantastic and super active! She showed us wonderful places and told us about Iceland from the heart!
Mirco Pieralisi
December 2025
Iceland with Nic
A fantastic experience! The trip was beautiful, well organized and with a great variety and diversity of experiences. All made even more exciting thanks to Nic, his contagious enthusiasm for adventure and his ability to keep the group together.
Mariangela Viceconte
November 2025
Sta Gran Review
The assistance and support I received from the organization before departure were excellent and allowed me to arrive prepared on the first day of this adventure. (Even with a few refunds, everything was clear and simple.) During the trip, the skills and practical abilities of our team leader proved to be the key to making us enjoy the experience to the fullest: from handling the unexpected to organizing the downtime, from helping build the bond between travel companions to supporting each member's individual needs. I'm coming home from this trip very satisfied and sure that, if in the future I choose to take on another similar adventure, "Sto Gran Tour" will definitely be the first travel company I'll consider.
