The Exceptional Photographers of the Year from the 2023 MUSE Photography Awards

Alessandro Carboni, a landscape and nature photographer from Sardinia, Italy traveled a great distance in capturing a breathtaking natural phenomenon of The Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) in Iceland, specifically, the Godafoss waterfall. The dancing lights of the auroras against the backdrop of the stunning Godafoss waterfall creates a mesmerizing and otherworldly scene.

The Aurora Borealis is a celestial light display caused by the collision of charged particles from the solar wind with Earth's atmosphere. Iceland, due to its northern location and relatively low light pollution, is a prime destination to witness this ethereal spectacle. The green, pink, purple, and sometimes even red hues of the auroras appear to dance across the night sky, leaving spectators in awe of their beauty and mystery. It provokes its audience to the appreciate nature and something larger than humankind.

Godafoss, known as the "Waterfall of the Gods," is one of Iceland's most iconic waterfalls. The falls drop from a width of 30 meters (98 feet) over a horseshoe-shaped rock formation into a dramatic gorge below. When the Northern Lights grace the night sky above Godafoss, it adds a magical touch to an already stunning natural wonder, creating a scene that is truly out of this world.

The experience of witnessing the Aurora Borealis at the Godafoss waterfall is unforgettable. It evokes a sense of wonder and humility as you stand in the presence of two awe-inspiring forces of nature coming together. It's no wonder that many photographers and travelers consider capturing this phenomenon on camera or experiencing it in person to be a bucket-list-worthy experience.