Tips For Photographing the Northern Lights

Photographing the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, is a dream for many photographers and stargazers. These shimmering, otherworldly lights dancing across the night sky create breathtaking opportunities for photography, but capturing their beauty requires preparation and technique. From finding the perfect location under clear, dark skies to mastering your camera’s settings for low-light conditions, photographing the auroras can be as rewarding as it is challenging. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned photographer, this guide will equip you with essential tips to turn the elusive Northern Lights into stunning images that you’ll treasure forever.

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1. Plan Ahead

• Choose the Right Time and Place:
  • Visit high-latitude regions like Norway, Iceland, Alaska, Finland, or Canada.
  • Aim for the winter months (September to March in the Northern Hemisphere) when nights are longer and skies are darker.
  • Use apps like My Aurora Forecast or websites like SpaceWeather.com to track aurora activity.
• Check Weather and Light Conditions:
  • Look for clear skies with minimal cloud cover.
  • Avoid nights with a bright full moon, as it can wash out the auroras.
• Dress Warmly: Layer up with insulated clothing, gloves, and a hat to stay comfortable in freezing temperatures. Since the best viewing sites are in far northern latitudes in winter, it will be cold!
• Pack Essentials: Bring extra batteries (cold drains them quickly), hand warmers, and snacks.
• Be Aware: Watch for icy conditions and stay in areas where it’s safe to set up your gear.

 

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2. Use the Right Gear

• Camera: A DSLR or mirrorless camera is ideal. Modern smartphones can also do an amazing job with apps that allow you to customize exposure settings.
• Lens: Use a wide-angle lens with a fast aperture (f/2.8 or lower) to capture more light.
• Tripod: Absolutely essential for long exposures to keep your camera steady. This will help when there are breezes.
• Remote Shutter or Timer: Reduces vibrations when taking long-exposure shots. You might also consider an intervalometer for the same reason.

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3. Best Camera Settings for Capturing the Northern Lights

• Manual Mode:
  • Set your camera to manual mode to control exposure settings. Bulb mode will probably not be used since exposures of less than 30 seconds are ideal.
• ISO:
  • Start with ISO 800-3200, depending on the brightness of the auroras and ambient light.
• Aperture:
  • Use the widest aperture your lens allows (e.g., f/2.8 or lower).
• Shutter Speed:
  • Start with a shutter speed of 5-15 seconds. Adjust based on the aurora’s brightness and movement:
    • Shorter exposure (5-8 seconds) for fast-moving lights.
    • Longer exposure (10-15 seconds) for slow, faint auroras.
• Focus:
  • Manually focusing is best. Do not rely on autofocus. Use the camera live view mode and magnify the view of a bright star to get the smallest star image and, thus, the best focus. If you have one for your camera lens, I highly recommend using a Bahtinov mask to get the best focus possible manually.
• White Balance:
  • Set to auto or adjust to around 3500K-4000K for natural-looking colors.

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4. Composition Tips

• Foreground Interest:
  • For more interesting framing, include elements like trees, mountains, or cabins to add depth and context to your photos.
• Avoid Light Pollution:
  • Choose locations away from cities and artificial light sources. Luckily, some of the best viewing sites are in relatively remote locations.
• Rule of Thirds:
  • Frame the auroras in the upper two-thirds of your photo, leaving room for the landscape below.

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5. Experiment and Adjust

• Review your shots and adjust settings as needed:
  • If the photo is too dark, increase ISO or extend shutter speed.
  • If stars or lights appear blurry, shorten the exposure time or refine focus.

 

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6. Post-Processing

• Use software like Lightroom or Photoshop to enhance your images:
  • Adjust exposure, contrast, and highlights to bring out the aurora’s colors.

 

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Pro Tip

Be patient! Aurora activity can be unpredictable and is not guaranteed, so stay alert and be ready to capture the lights when they appear. To improve your odds, make sure to plan in advance for the best locations and timing.

With these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to photograph the Northern Lights and create breathtaking images!