PHOTO COMPETITION

SWEDEN'S BEST NORTHERN LIGHTS IMAGE
2025

WE PRESENT THIS YEAR'S WINNERS

The Northern Lights Facebook group together with Kamado Sumo a photo competition where we crown Sweden's Best Norrskensbild 2025!

Competition closed May, 2025

WINNERS OF THE PHOTO COMPETITION - JURY'S CHOICE

There were many images of the Northern Lights that could have won the 'Jury's Choice' among all the incredible entries in the competition. However, the competition jury - consisting of Calle Rosenqvist and Kamado Sumo - quickly found an image that stood out, with a composition that made the jury stop and look at the different parts of the image.

Photo: Hakan Bayraktar 

Super congratulations to you and the picture Hakan! Tell us a bit more about how the picture came about.
- The picture was taken in Börje here in Uppsala where I live, from my son's room through the window. Since I was out for a couple of hours to take pictures and it was quite late - and also very cold - I thought I would give up and go inside. But I always check on the kids before I go to bed, and when I went into my son's room, I looked out the window and noticed that the northern lights were getting a little brighter. At first I thought of putting on proper clothes and going out again but I was a bit lazy and couldn't be bothered, so I went to the garage and tried to take some pictures outside the garage but I froze right away. 

But you still managed to get a really cool picture?
- I took the camera without the tripod and went to my son's room and took some pictures, but they were blurry because I didn't have a tripod. Then I opened the window and put the camera on the flower pot. I just snapped two or three pictures and closed the window. The event behind the picture was completely spontaneous and unplanned, but I thought the picture turned out a little different than many pictures I had taken before.

How did you get into aurora photography?
- The interest has been there since I was a kid because of a commercial on TV with two polar bears in Antarctica sitting in deck chairs having a picnic with a Coca-Cola or Pepsi - toasting as they watched the Northern Lights. I thought it was so cool and I also wanted to experience the Northern Lights at some point in my life! How was I supposed to know that one day I would move to Sweden! One evening in February 2021, I was taking out the garbage and I noticed some strange fog moving in the sky, so I took out my phone and took a picture. When I saw the colors in the picture, I ran home and woke up the whole family. The northern lights were getting brighter and brighter and you could even see them with your naked eye. After that night, I started reading a lot about the Northern Lights and watching videos on YouTube on how to take Northern Lights pictures - and started chasing the Northern Lights. Other favorite subjects are the night sky and nature.

Do you have any smart tips for other Northern Lights hunters?
- The best tip is to follow the Northern Lights group on Facebook where you get more information than what the apps show. But to be patient, dare to test different settings such as shorter and longer shutter speed, high and low ISO. Simply play with your thoughts. If it doesn't work right then, maybe it will work next time!

Congratulations to Hakan Bayraktar who wins "Jury's Choice" and a Sumo Hibachi to the value of SEK 3,500.

WINNERS OF THE PHOTO COMPETITION - JURY'S CHOICE

There were many images of the Northern Lights that could have won the 'Jury's Choice' among all the incredible entries in the competition. However, the competition jury - consisting of Calle Rosenqvist and Kamado Sumo - quickly found an image that stood out, with a composition that made the jury stop and look at the different parts of the image.

Photo: Hakan Bayraktar 

Super congratulations to you and the picture Hakan! Tell us a bit more about how the picture came about.
- The picture was taken in Börje here in Uppsala where I live, from my son's room through the window. Since I was out for a couple of hours to take pictures and it was quite late - and also very cold - I thought I would give up and go inside. But I always check on the kids before I go to bed, and when I went into my son's room, I looked out the window and noticed that the northern lights were getting a little brighter. At first I thought of putting on proper clothes and going out again but I was a bit lazy and couldn't be bothered, so I went to the garage and tried to take some pictures outside the garage but I froze right away. 

But you still managed to get a really cool picture?
- I took the camera without the tripod and went to my son's room and took some pictures, but they were blurry because I didn't have a tripod. Then I opened the window and put the camera on the flower pot. I just snapped two or three pictures and closed the window. The event behind the picture was completely spontaneous and unplanned, but I thought the picture turned out a little different than many pictures I had taken before.
How did you get into aurora photography?
- The interest has been there since I was a kid because of a commercial on TV with two polar bears in Antarctica sitting in deck chairs having a picnic with a Coca-Cola or Pepsi - toasting as they watched the Northern Lights. I thought it was so cool and I also wanted to experience the Northern Lights at some point in my life! How was I supposed to know that one day I would move to Sweden! One evening in February 2021, I was taking out the garbage and I noticed some strange fog moving in the sky, so I took out my phone and took a picture. When I saw the colors in the picture, I ran home and woke up the whole family. The northern lights were getting brighter and brighter and you could even see them with your naked eye. After that night, I started reading a lot about the Northern Lights and watching videos on YouTube on how to take Northern Lights pictures - and started chasing the Northern Lights. Other favorite subjects are the night sky and nature.

Do you have any smart tips for other Northern Lights hunters?
- The best tip is to follow the Northern Lights group on Facebook where you get more information than what the apps show. But to be patient, dare to test different settings such as shorter and longer shutter speed, high and low ISO. Simply play with your thoughts. If it doesn't work right then, maybe it will work next time!

Congratulations to Hakan Bayraktar who wins "Jury's Choice" and a Sumo Hibachi to the value of SEK 3,500.

THE "NORTHERN LIGHTS GROUP'S CHOICE" - HERE IS THE WINNER!

Among all the final images that were competing for the "Northern Lights Group's Choice", it was Johnny Nohrin who captured the most votes with his image of a fantastic northern lights sky photographed in Skaraborg. Johnny's picture was the one that got the most votes out of the 40 final pictures selected by Calle Rosenqvist and Kamado Sumo, in fierce competition among all the fantastic pictures tagged for the competition in the Northern Lights group on Facebook. 

Congratulations on the photo and the win, Johnny! Now we want to know more about that awesome picture - how did it happen?

- The picture was taken just outside Tidan in Skaraborg. I knew there was a bridge house there that I had been thinking about going to for a long time. The idea was that I would have photographed the bridge house itself together with the northern lights, but the picture did not turn out as I had imagined in my head. Instead, I went down under the bridge house and took advantage of the water.

We in the jury are also struck by how many exciting things are in the picture. What kind of gadgets do you use, and how do you think the picture turned out?

- I had to use the environment I had available and reflections of the northern lights in the water are always nice and the river meanders nicely away in the picture. It almost has a little dystopian feel to it. I think the clouds that run parallel to the river give an extra depth. Then I am a sucker for reflections in water. This particular image was shot with a Sony A7 IV and a Sigma 14mm f/1.4 - I use it and an A7 III when I shoot. Jhis is the one I chose to compete with as I like the light in the picture.

How did you get started photographing the Northern Lights - and what are your favorite subjects besides the Northern Lights?

- My interest in photographing the Northern Lights started by chance in 2021 after I had been out photographing the Milky Way. After that, I became obsessed with the green light of the north. I like everything about space. There will be some Astroscape and Deepsky. But as a favorite, I would probably say that photographing the Milky Way is at the top after the northern lights.

It seems like you had an idea even before you went out to photograph - what tips can you share with anyone who hasn't yet taken their dream picture of the Northern Lights?
- It's never a bad idea to have a basic idea before you go out. Work with foregrounds if you can and have the opportunity. It gives so much more life to the pictures if you get it right. Following northern lights groups on Facebook is a very good start. It's actually an incredible tool. Together we are strong, as they say. If you want to, it's also good to familiarize yourself with some satellite data. Otherwise, I would say that when it comes to the northern lights, patience is the key to success. Many people give up or try to find shortcuts ...

 

Photo: Johnny Nohrin

Congratulations to Johnny Nohrin who wins "Norrskensgruppen's choice" and a Kamado Sumo Junior with accessories worth SEK 6,000.

WINNERS OF THE COMPETITION - THE NORTHERN LIGHTS GROUP'S CHOICE

Photo: Johnny Nohrin

Among all the final images that were competing for the "Northern Lights Group's Choice", it was Johnny Nohrin who captured the most votes with his image of a fantastic northern lights sky photographed in Skaraborg. Johnny's picture was the one that got the most votes out of the 40 final pictures selected by Calle Rosenqvist and Kamado Sumo, in fierce competition among all the fantastic pictures tagged for the competition in the Northern Lights group on Facebook. 

Congratulations on the photo and the win, Johnny! Now we want to know more about that awesome picture - how did it happen?

- The picture was taken just outside Tidan in Skaraborg. I knew there was a bridge house there that I had been thinking about going to for a long time. The idea was that I would have photographed the bridge house itself together with the northern lights, but the picture did not turn out as I had imagined in my head. Instead, I went down under the bridge house and took advantage of the water.

We in the jury are also struck by how many exciting things are in the picture. What kind of gadgets do you use, and how do you think the picture turned out?

- I had to use the environment I had available and reflections of the northern lights in the water are always nice and the river meanders nicely away in the picture. It almost has a little dystopian feel to it. I think the clouds that run parallel to the river give an extra depth. Then I am a sucker for reflections in water. This particular image was shot with a Sony A7 IV and a Sigma 14mm f/1.4 - I use it and an A7 III when I shoot. Jhis is the one I chose to compete with as I like the light in the picture.

How did you get started photographing the Northern Lights - and what are your favorite subjects besides the Northern Lights?

- My interest in photographing the Northern Lights started by chance in 2021 after I had been out photographing the Milky Way. After that, I became obsessed with the green light of the north. I like everything about space. There will be some Astroscape and Deepsky. But as a favorite, I would probably say that photographing the Milky Way is at the top after the northern lights.

It seems like you had an idea even before you went out to photograph - what tips can you share with anyone who hasn't yet taken their dream picture of the Northern Lights?
- It's never a bad idea to have a basic idea before you go out. Work with foregrounds if you can and have the opportunity. It gives so much more life to the pictures if you get it right. Following northern lights groups on Facebook is a very good start. It's actually an incredible tool. Together we are strong, as they say. If you want to, it's also good to familiarize yourself with some satellite data. Otherwise, I would say that when it comes to the northern lights, patience is the key to success. Many people give up or try to find shortcuts ...

 

Congratulations to Johnny Nohrin who wins "Norrskensgruppen's choice" and a Kamado Sumo Junior with accessories worth SEK 6,000.

HONORABLE MENTION - ADDITIONAL PRIZES

Among all the competition photos, we have also selected an honorable mention for a picture that we thought captured the magic of the northern lights a little extra. Congratulations to Magnus Fagerman who will receive a little surprise in the form of a Smokeless Fire Pit from Kamado Sumo - perfect for chilly northern lights nights!

Photo: Magnus Fagerman - Honorable Mention 2025

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

Increase your chances of winning and subscribe to the Kamado Sumo newsletter for the latest photo contest updates and food and grilling inspiration. 

* necessary

PRICES

Kamado Sumo Junior + accessories - Norrskensgruppen's choice (value SEK 6,000)

Sumo Hibachi - Jury's choice (value SEK 3,500)

Smokeless Fire Pit - Honorable Mention (value 1,200 SEK)

BE INSPIRED BY PREVIOUS YEARS' WINNERS

Check out the stunning images from the 2023 winners of Sweden's Best Northern Lights Photo and be inspired by their creative interpretations of this magical natural phenomenon. See how these photographers captured the beauty of the Northern Lights and add your own twist to the photo competition for a chance to win great prizes.

READ MORE

Photo: Jörg Asmus - Honorable mention 2023