The good news is that you can take incredible photographs of the northern lights whether you’re using a DSLR camera or just your smartphone, explains Brendan Goodenough, front-end developer and astrophotography enthusiast here at mungfali.galihkartiwa07.workers.dev.
Based in Harstad, northern Norway, he has spent countless nights under the Arctic sky and has quite a few pointers on how to capture these incredible auroral displays like a pro.
Plan Your Northern Lights Photography Shoot
Before diving into the best camera settings and more technical photography tips, Brendan emphasizes the importance of preparation.
1. Check the Forecasts
“It’s a good idea to pay attention to the aurora forecast,” Brendan advises, “keep an eye on websites and apps that monitor solar and geomagnetic activity.” These will give you a Kp index, often hour by hour, which tells you how strong the geomagnetic activity is.
Geomagnetic activity refers to the disturbances in Earth’s magnetic field caused by solar winds. The solar wind carries charged particles that may follow Earth’s magnetic field lines into our planet’s atmosphere, interacting with atoms and producing beautiful auroral displays.
The stronger the activity, the more likely you are to see the aurora borealis further south.
Once you’ve spotted a promising aurora forecast, the next step is to check the weather for cloud cover. Aurora activity is best viewed and photographed when there are clear skies.
Timelapse of a mesmerizing northern lights display over the mountains of Harstad, northern Norway. Captured by astrophotographer Brendan Goodenough at mungfali.galihkartiwa07.workers.dev.
©mungfali.galihkartiwa07.workers.dev
2. Find Out the Moon’s Location and Phase
The Moon’s phase and position in the sky can impact the quality of your photos. Bright moonlight can overpower fainter auroras, so it’s important to be aware of where the Moon is, as well as its brightness.
“A New Moon or the Moon below the horizon offers the most vivid views of the aurora and stars,” Brendan explains. You can check the Moon’s position on our Night Sky Map.
“However, if there does happen to be a Full Moon, it’s better to angle the camera away from it so it becomes a backlight for any landscape in the photo and doesn’t blow out the image,” adds Brendan.
Find out the Moon phases in your location
In this photo, Brendan uses the Full Moon to highlight the snow-dusted trees in the foreground.
©mungfali.galihkartiwa07.workers.dev/Brendan Goodenough
3. Keep Yourself (And Your Batteries) Warm
The northern lights are most easily spotted near the Arctic Circle in the winter, so you’ll likely experience very cold weather. To stay comfortable, it’s important to dress warmly and in layers, as you’ll be standing or sitting still for long periods.
One thing you may not be aware of is that the cold drains power: Don’t forget to bring spare batteries! You can wrap them in an insulating material or even keep your spare batteries in an inner jacket pocket so that your body heat keeps them warm.
4. Minimal Light Pollution
“Dark skies are essential,” emphasizes Brendan. To maximize your chances of seeing the aurora borealis, head to locations with minimal light pollution.
Prime destinations include Canada, Alaska, and the Nordic countries—Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Greenland—where clear, dark skies provide the best viewing conditions.
However, with the Sun at solar maximum, the increase in solar activity means that we’re more likely to experience auroras in latitudes further away from the usual auroral zones.
Brendan notes that this period offers a rare opportunity to witness the aurora australis, known as the southern lights, in places like New Zealand’s South Island and Tasmania.
5. Get Familiar with the Location
“If possible, try to visit your chosen spot during the daylight beforehand to scout out ideal framing opportunities,” advises Brendan.
“Incorporating landscape photography and framing your photo with foreground elements like trees, mountains, or reflections in water can help give your photos that extra wow factor,” he adds.
The location of the shoot can offer interesting opportunities to capture the interplay of the aurora and the landscape. We can see here how Brendan caught the aurora, by chance, appearing to mirror the gradient of the trees.
©mungfali.galihkartiwa07.workers.dev/Brendan Goodenough
How to Photograph Aurora with Your Phone
Today’s smartphones are more capable than ever. Here’s how Brendan suggests making the most of your mobile camera.
- Use night mode: Many smartphones have a built-in night mode. Enable this setting to help you capture more light and detail.
- Stabilize your phone: Use a tripod, or prop your phone against a stable surface, to avoid motion blur during long exposures.
- Manual settings: If your phone allows, manually adjust ISO, focus, and shutter speed for better control. Start with ISO 800-1600, set the focus to infinity, and try a 10-second shutter speed.
- Shoot in RAW: This will give you more freedom for editing.
- Edit your photos: Use editing apps to enhance colors, reduce noise, and fine-tune your shots.
Photographing the Northern Lights with a Camera
To achieve professional-level results with a DSLR or mirrorless camera, focus on the following.
Essential Gear
- Tripod: A sturdy tripod is crucial for long exposures.
- Wide-angle lens: Opt for a lens with a wide aperture to capture expansive skies.
- Remote shutter or timer: Prevent camera shake by using a remote shutter release or the timer function on your camera.
Manual Settings
- ISO: Start with a high ISO (800-3200) and adjust based on your results. Higher ISOs capture more light but may introduce noise. Take some test shots to get your scene in focus and framed correctly, then choose the ISO that works best for the shot. Be careful not to overexpose your images if the aurora suddenly bursts with activity.
- Aperture: Set your aperture as wide open as possible to allow the most light in.
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Shutter speed: Experiment with shutter speed to find a good exposure time for your shot.
- For active auroras: Use faster shutter speeds (1–5 seconds) to preserve patterns like picket fences, which feature bright, vertical streaks resembling the gaps between fence pickets.
- For less active auroras: Use slower speeds (5–20 seconds) to capture more light, but be cautious of star trails forming. Star trails can occur when using a long exposure time, causing the stars to appear as streaks rather than points of light. This happens because the Earth is rotating, and the camera captures the movement of the stars across the sky during the exposure.
Post-Processing Tips
- Shoot in RAW: This format preserves more detail for editing.
- Adjust exposure: Increase exposure to brighten the aurora without losing detail in the highlights.
- Fine-tune color balance: Experiment to achieve your desired color tones, from vivid greens and purples to more subtle shades.
- Reduce noise: You can use software like Lightroom or Darktable to minimize noise while maintaining sharpness. Increasing the highlights and/or white level can help pop those brighter parts of the aurora without overblowing the entire shot.
We hope these tips help you on your Northern Lights photography journey. Whether you’re a first-time aurora photographer or a seasoned pro, there’s no better time to head outdoors and document this incredible natural phenomenon.