Want to learn how to photograph Northern Lights? This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about capturing the magical Aurora Borealis, from essential camera gear to professional techniques. Whether you’re using a DSLR camera or the latest smartphone, our expert tips will help you capture stunning Northern Lights photos during your Arctic adventure.
Essential Camera Equipment for Northern Lights Photography
To capture the ethereal beauty of the Aurora Borealis, you’ll need a camera with manual settings and strong low-light performance. Essential equipment includes a full-frame or crop-sensor DSLR/mirrorless camera, a sturdy tripod to prevent camera shake during long exposures, and a fast wide-angle lens (ideally f/2.8 or faster) to capture the broad sweep of the lights. Remote shutter release or timer function helps avoid camera movement when pressing the shutter. Don’t forget extra batteries, as cold temperatures can quickly drain them, and sufficient memory cards for multiple long-exposure shots. A headlamp with a red light mode will help you adjust camera settings while preserving your night vision.
Camera Requirements
- DSLR or Mirrorless camera with manual settings
- Wide-angle lens (14-35mm recommended/full frame)
- Sturdy tripod
- Extra batteries (cold drains them quickly)
- Memory cards
- Remote controller or timer function
Optional but Recommended
- Lens heater (prevents condensation)
- Hand warmers
- Headlamp with red light
- Microfiber cloth for lens cleaning
Camera Settings for Northern Lights
For basic Northern Lights photography, start with manual mode, setting your ISO between 1600-3200, aperture wide open (typically f/2.8 or lower), and shutter speed between 15-30 seconds.
Advanced photographers can fine-tune these settings based on the aurora’s intensity and movement: during strong displays, lower your ISO and shutter speed to prevent overexposure, while for weaker auroras, push your ISO up to 6400 if your camera handles noise well.
Focus manually to infinity, but test this during daylight as some lenses focus slightly past infinity.
To capture the intricate details of aurora movement, experiment with shorter exposures around 5-8 seconds during active displays. For creative compositions, try exposure bracketing to blend the foreground with the sky, or use interval shooting to create stunning time-lapse sequences of the dancing lights.
Basic Camera Setup
- Shooting Mode: Manual (M)
- File Format: RAW
- Image Stabilization: OFF
- Focus: Manual
- White Balance: Auto or 3500-4500K
Advanced Settings
- ISO: Start at 1600-3200
- Aperture: As wide as possible (f/2.8 or lower)
- Shutter Speed: 5-15 seconds
- Focus Distance: Set to infinity (∞)
Step-by-Step Guide to Northern Lights Photography
Successful Aurora photography requires careful preparation and execution. Before heading out, research your location and aurora forecast, then scout your shooting spot during daylight to identify interesting foreground elements and potential compositions.
Pack your gear, including spare batteries and hand warmers, and dress in multiple warm layers. Once on location, arrive early to set up while there’s still some light – mount your camera on the tripod, attach your remote release, and dial in preliminary camera settings. Format your memory cards and test your infinity focus.
During the shoot, continually monitor your histogram to ensure proper exposure as the aurora’s intensity changes. Check image sharpness by zooming in on your previews, and periodically clean your lens of any condensation or frost. Remember to occasionally step back from your camera to simply enjoy the spectacle – some of the best shots come when you’re relaxed and in tune with the rhythm of the lights.
Before the Shoot
- Location Scouting
- Find dark areas away from city lights
- Look for interesting foreground elements
- Check weather and aurora forecasts
- Scout locations during daylight if possible
- Camera Preparation
- Charge all batteries fully
- Format memory cards
- Clean lens and sensor
- Pack essential gear
During the Shoot
- Initial Setup
- Mount camera on tripod
- Attach lens heater if using
- Set up remote controller
- Point camera north
- Getting the Shot
- Frame your composition
- Focus on a distant light or star
- Take test shots and adjust
- Check histogram regularly
How to photograph Northern Lights video tutorial
Smartphone Photography Tips
For the best Aurora photos with your smartphone, use Pro/Manual mode or a night photography app, and mount your device on a small tripod. Set maximum exposure time (10-30 seconds), ISO between 800-1600, and use the self-timer to avoid shake. Many recent phones include dedicated night sky modes that work well. While image quality won’t match a DSLR, smartphones can still capture impressive Northern Lights shots, especially during bright displays.
Latest Phone Models
- iPhone 13 Pro and newer
- Samsung Galaxy S22 and newer
- Google Pixel 6 and newer
Smartphone Settings
- Use Night Mode or Pro Mode
- Set timer to avoid shake
- Lock focus to infinity
- Use RAW format if available
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid touching your camera during exposures or forgetting to disable image stabilization when using a tripod – both cause unwanted blur. Don’t overlook weather forecasts, focusing only on aurora predictions, as cloud cover can ruin your shoot.
A frequent mistake is arriving without properly charged batteries or lacking spare ones, as cold temperatures drain them quickly. Many photographers also struggle with focusing – using autofocus at night usually fails, while blindly setting focus to infinity can result in soft images.
Finally, don’t make the common error of shooting only the sky; incorporating foreground elements like trees, lakes, or mountains adds depth and scale to your aurora images.
- Technical Mistakes
- Focusing incorrectly
- Camera shake
- Wrong ISO settings
- Overexposing the lights
- Preparation Mistakes
- Not charging batteries
- Forgetting essential gear
- Not dressing warmly enough
- Not checking weather forecasts
Post-Processing Tips
When editing Northern Lights photos, subtle adjustments yield the most natural results. Start by fine-tuning white balance to capture the aurora’s true colors – typically green and purple hues.
Selectively adjust noise reduction to preserve the lights’ delicate structures while smoothing out dark sky areas. Use graduated filters to balance exposure between ground and sky, and carefully boost contrast to enhance the aurora’s definition without creating artificial-looking results.
Consider selective color adjustments to bring out secondary colors in the lights, but avoid oversaturation that can make the image look unrealistic. Finally, apply gentle sharpening only to the aurora itself, as oversharpening can introduce unwanted artifacts and noise in the night sky.
Basic Adjustments
- White Balance correction
- Exposure adjustments
- Noise reduction
- Clarity and vibrance
Advanced Editing
- Selective adjustments
- Star enhancement
- Foreground blending
- Color balance
Tips from Professional Aurora Photographers
Professional Aurora photographers emphasize the importance of patience and preparation above all else. They recommend arriving at your location at least an hour before darkness to perfect your composition and camera settings while there’s still light.
Many pros suggest shooting in RAW format to maintain maximum editing flexibility, and always capturing a few test shots of stars to ensure sharp focus before the lights appear. They often use apps like “Aurora Pro” or “My Aurora Forecast” to track activity, and build a database of reliable foreground locations for different wind directions and aurora intensities.
A key tip shared by veterans is to watch for patterns in the aurora’s movement – learning to anticipate peak moments leads to more dramatic images. Perhaps most importantly, they advise photographers to occasionally step away from the camera and simply experience the magic of the moment, as this often leads to better creative decisions and more meaningful photographs.
- Composition Techniques
- Include foreground elements
- Use the rule of thirds
- Frame with natural elements
- Create depth in your images
- Advanced Tips
- Stack multiple exposures
- Blend foreground and sky
- Create panoramas
- Time-lapse sequences
Weather and Environmental Considerations
Successful Aurora photography depends heavily on weather and environmental conditions. Clear, dark skies are essential – check detailed weather forecasts for cloud cover, and plan around the moon phases as a full moon can wash out the aurora’s colors.
Temperature plays a crucial role: extreme cold affects both equipment and photographer, so prepare for battery drain and lens condensation with spare batteries and microfiber cloths. Light pollution significantly impacts visibility, so scout locations at least 30-60 minutes from major cities.
The best viewing typically occurs between 9 PM and 1 AM during peak season (September-March in the northern hemisphere), but solar activity can make auroras visible at other times. Monitor the Kp-index for aurora strength forecasts, with readings above 3 indicating good viewing potential at higher latitudes.
Cold Weather Operation
- Keep spare batteries warm
- Avoid changing lenses outside
- Use hand warmers
- Protect gear from moisture
Safety Tips
- Never go alone
- Bring emergency supplies
- Stay near your vehicle
- Tell someone your plans
Join Our Northern Lights Photography Tours
Want to practice these techniques with expert guidance? Our professional photographers will help you:
- Choose the best camera settings
- Find perfect shooting locations
- Master manual focusing
- Create compelling compositions
Don’t forget to read Best Northern Lights Tours in Tromsø: The Ultimate Guide
FAQs About Northern Lights Photography
Q: Can I photograph Northern Lights with my phone?
A: Yes, modern smartphones can capture decent Aurora photos, especially when using night mode and a tripod.
Q: What’s the best lens for Aurora photography?
A: A wide-angle lens (14-35mm) with a large aperture (f/2.8 or wider) is ideal.
Q: How long should my exposure be?
A: Start with 5-15 seconds, adjusting based on the Aurora’s movement and brightness.
Q: Why are my photos blurry?
A: Common causes include camera movement, incorrect focus, or too long exposure times.
Q: Do I really need a tripod?
A: Yes, a sturdy tripod is essential for sharp Northern Lights photos.
Ready to Capture the Aurora?
Join our expert-led photography tours in Tromsø and learn these techniques hands-on. Our guides will help you master Aurora photography while witnessing this spectacular phenomenon.
Note: This guide is regularly updated with the latest photography techniques and camera recommendations.
Related Articles: