Nikole Miguel's Polar Lights expedition has been a journey of discovery, pushing the boundaries of human exploration and scientific research. Her remarkable story serves as a testament to the power of human curiosity and the importance of preserving our planet's natural wonders.
Nikole Miguel is a contemporary visual artist and photographer whose Polar Lights series explores light, memory, and place through layered imagery and subtle color shifts. The series draws on natural phenomena and domestic interiors to create images that feel at once atmospheric and intimately familiar.
The specific gases and their altitudes dictate the colors visible from the ground: Nikole Miguel Polar Lights -
Miguel is known for using the Sony A7S III for its insane low-light sensitivity, but she pairs it with vintage, manual-focus lenses from the 1980s. “Modern lenses are too perfect,” she says. “The Polar Lights are organic chaos. I use a vintage f/1.4 lens to let in the light, but I keep the slight coma distortion around the edges because it feels like you are looking through frosted glass.”
The concept draws heavy inspiration from the aurora borealis , taking the iconic neon greens, icy blues, and deep violet hues of the northern night sky and embedding them into modern fashion. Nikole Miguel's Polar Lights expedition has been a
Coastal landscapes offer dramatic reflections over open fjords. Thingvellir National Park , Kirkjufell September to April
The creative process behind "Polar Lights" could involve extensive research, travel to polar regions, and experimentation with various artistic mediums. Nikole Miguel might employ traditional techniques to capture the essence of the aurora, from long-exposure photography that blurs the lines between reality and abstraction, to digital manipulation that enhances the surreal quality of the lights. The series draws on natural phenomena and domestic
High volcanic activity allows for pairing hot springs with night viewings. Yellowknife , Whitehorse (Yukon) Mid-August to April
Whether she is depicting a solitary figure gazing up at the sky or a landscape bathed in neon green and violet, the light in these pieces feels alive. It doesn't just sit on top of the image; it permeates the atmosphere. You can almost feel the cold bite of the arctic air and the hum of the magnetic disturbance in the sky.