How to Capture the Northern Lights on Your Camera or Smartphone
Look, I’m going to cut right to the chase here and let you know exactly how to do it on your camera at the top of the article. No one likes reading about a chef bringing her kids to school if they’re just looking for a recipe so here it is:
If you are using a “real camera” - not your phone:
TRIPOD, or if you’re desperate like me hold it steady to a railing or anything
Shutter speed 10-20 seconds. If they’re really bright you will be more than fine with ten seconds. I’ve even pushed it to 3 or 5 seconds!
Aperture 2.8 or somewhere near there!
ISO - go native base low so for the FX3 800 is great!
Manual focus on a star
White Balance set to daylight. Do not do shade or night time, everything will look orange.
Shoot in RAW
and maybe most importantly - remote shutter release! There is literally no point in using a long exposure if you’re going to shake up the first second of the shot… just youtube your camera and remote shutter release to learn how to manage this drive setting. A MUST! **I don’t care how steady you think you click that button - you are moving the camera :) **
* Please note that this is just one way to do it and there are a whole bunch of different scenarios in which these settings might hold you back. For example, for those of us in the arctic right now, the lights are REALLY bright. We can see these colors with our naked eye - if this is the case set your shutter speed to something around a 3!
If you are using a smartphone:
Night mode (or any long exposure you have)
use a tripod - I know you’re probably thinking okay that’s a bit far I already got great ones holding my phone. My response is - that’s great but if you want even better ones just get this $13 tripod sent to your front door for even better ones.
Yes, below I go into way more detail about other options but honestly that is for keyword on this blog. Use night mode. Use a tripod and shoot!
So here’s a little more about the above and if you feel so inclined, want to learn about framing or whateva keep reading!
Sam and I are lucky enough to be calling Norway home for the month of October. The northern lights, or Aurora Borealis, are one of nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomena and we’ve been fortunate enough to see them more thank half the nights we’ve been here! The vivid, dancing lights in hues of green, purple, and pink are caused by solar particles colliding with the Earth's atmosphere, creating a stunning light show. 2024 is shaping up to be a particularly good year for seeing the northern lights, thanks to heightened solar activity during the current solar cycle, making it one of the most favorable periods in recent history. If you're planning to witness this celestial wonder, it's essential to know how to capture it with your camera or smartphone. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get the best results, whether you're using a “real camera” or your phone.
Why 2024 is the Perfect Year to See the Northern Lights
The frequency and intensity of the northern lights are directly related to solar activity, specifically solar storms, which occur during a period called the solar maximum. This period is part of an 11-year solar cycle, and we are now in the most active phase. This means stronger solar flares and more frequent northern lights displays, visible even further south than usual. Northern areas like Alaska, Canada, and Scandinavia will enjoy more frequent and vibrant displays, and those who live in slightly lower latitudes, such as parts of the Northern U.S. and Europe, will have a rare chance to witness them.
Given these conditions, capturing the northern lights with your camera has never been more timely. Whether you're an experienced photographer or a casual stargazer with just a smartphone, now is the time to learn how to capture this phenomenon.
I thought this was a pretty cool breakdown of what exactly I'm seeing and why. While in Norway we've been able to see all these colors with just our eyes, not though our camera lens - which is pretty epic!
Capturing the Northern Lights with a DSLR or Mirrorless Camera
Using a DSLR or mirrorless camera offers the most flexibility and control when shooting the northern lights. With a few key adjustments to your settings and some practice, you’ll be able to capture stunning images of the Aurora Borealis.
1. The Right Gear
Camera: Any DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual mode will work. A full-frame sensor is ideal for low-light conditions, but an APS-C camera will also yield good results.
Lens: Use a wide-angle lens (14-24mm) with a fast aperture (f/2.8 or lower) to capture as much of the sky as possible. The faster the lens, the better it will perform in low light.
Tripod: A sturdy tripod is non-negotiable. To capture the northern lights, you’ll need to keep your camera as steady as possible for long exposures.
Remote Shutter Release: Using a remote or setting a delay timer on your camera will prevent camera shake and ensure sharp images.
2. Manual Settings
Focus: Set your lens to manual focus and focus on infinity. To ensure the sharpest results, you can zoom in on a distant light or star and adjust until it’s pin-sharp.
ISO: Set your ISO between 800 and 3200, depending on the brightness of the northern lights. A higher ISO captures more light, but too high can introduce noise.
Aperture: Open your aperture as wide as possible (f/2.8 or lower). A wide aperture lets in more light and captures the vibrancy of the Aurora.
Shutter Speed: Start with a shutter speed of 10-20 seconds. Shorter exposures will capture sharper details in the northern lights, while longer exposures may create motion blur if the lights are moving fast.
White Balance: Set your white balance to daylight or auto. You can adjust this in post-processing if needed.
Shoot in RAW: Always shoot in RAW format. RAW files preserve the most detail and give you the flexibility to make significant adjustments in post-processing without losing quality.
3. Framing and Composition
Foreground Elements: Including a foreground element (mountains, trees, or a cabin) can add depth and context to your northern lights shot. However, make sure the focus remains on the sky.
Check the Forecast: Northern lights apps like My Aurora Forecast can predict aurora activity and visibility in your location. Timing is crucial, as even a bright moon can wash out the lights, so aim for a dark, clear night.
Experiment: Don’t be afraid to experiment with your settings. I have taken a bunch of photos with a whole different bunch of settings and honestly they’ve all given me some cool results. The settings I’ve described above are a near guarantee to get you great shots but that doesn’t mean you can’t try a different way! If you have some great results with something else - let me know what worked for you! Depending on the intensity of the aurora, you might need to tweak your shutter speed or ISO for the best results.
Capturing the Northern Lights with a Smartphone
While a DSLR or mirrorless camera provides the best results, it’s also possible to capture the northern lights with a smartphone. Recent advancements in smartphone camera technology mean that even casual photographers can capture decent images of the Aurora Borealis—if they know the right techniques.
1. Use a Smartphone Tripod for Stability
Why It’s Important: Since photographing the northern lights involves long exposures, even the slightest movement can result in a blurry image. A smartphone tripod is essential to keep your phone steady during longer exposure times.
Recommendation: Use a simple, portable tripod specifically designed for smartphones. Many come with remote shutters, allowing you to take photos without physically touching your phone, which minimizes camera shake.
2. Smartphone Settings
Many smartphones now allow you to adjust manual settings, especially in "Pro" or "Manual" modes. These are the settings you’ll need to modify:
ISO: Just like with a traditional camera, you want to increase your ISO setting. Set your ISO to between 800 and 1600, depending on how bright the northern lights are.
Shutter Speed: Set the shutter speed between 10 and 20 seconds. The longer the exposure, the more light the camera will capture.
Focus: Set the focus to infinity if your phone allows it, or manually focus on a distant star or light.
Aperture: Unfortunately, most smartphone apertures are fixed, but modern phones with wide apertures (such as f/1.6) can still capture sufficient light for the northern lights.
3. Apps to Improve Camera Control
If your phone’s built-in camera app doesn’t give you access to manual settings, there are third-party apps that offer greater control:
For iPhone: Try apps like Halide or ProCamera, which give you manual control over focus, ISO, and shutter speed.
For Android: Open Camera or Camera FV-5 are popular choices, offering similar manual controls to adjust settings for low-light photography.
4. Night Mode and Other Features
Many smartphones now come with a dedicated Night Mode, which can enhance low-light photography by automatically extending the exposure time and optimizing the ISO. While Night Mode can yield decent results, using manual settings typically gives you more control and better outcomes.
5. Tips for Best Results
Avoid Zooming: Digital zoom reduces the quality of your photos. Instead of zooming in, try to physically move closer to your subject if necessary.
Stay Steady: Even with a tripod, it’s best to use a remote shutter or the timer function on your phone to avoid any shake when capturing the shot.
Post-Processing: You can enhance your northern lights photos using photo editing apps like Snapseed or Lightroom Mobile. Adjusting the exposure, contrast, and highlights can bring out the colors of the aurora and improve overall image quality.
Conclusion
Capturing the northern lights can be a magical and rewarding experience, whether you’re using a high-end DSLR or your trusty smartphone. The key is understanding the right settings and techniques to make the most of the equipment you have. With the current solar maximum promising exceptional auroras in 2024, this is the perfect time to plan your northern lights photography adventure. Remember to stay patient, experiment with your settings, and—most importantly—enjoy the breathtaking show above.
