A beginner-friendly guide to photographing the Northern Lights. Read this article to learn night photography tips, the best equipment, and proven settings for outstanding aurora shots.
Understanding Night Photography and the Northern Lights
The Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, is on the wish list of most travelers worldwide—and for good reason: the dancing auroras over these breathtaking winter landscapes are simply beautiful. Something most of us don’t get to see in other parts of the world.
This phenomenon occurs at higher latitudes where Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere interact with charged particles from the sun, creating a shimmering effect in the sky. This phenomenon creates a photogenic sight in the sky. That’s why thousands of people come every year to experience it. The search query “photographing Northern Lights” is therefore frequently sought online.
If you’re planning your first aurora photoshoot, you should strategically plan your trip and luggage to capture high-quality images. Let’s get ready for the Northern Lights.
Essential Equipment for Aurora Photography
1. Camera with High ISO Capability
The best camera for Northern Lights photography is one with low noise at high ISO settings, meaning a camera that performs excellently even in low light. An acceptable value for choosing such a camera should be at least ISO 6400; the higher, the better.
2. Powerful Camera Lens
The best lens for Northern Lights photography is one with a very wide aperture and high light-gathering ability. You will use this lens in manual mode, so it’s always a good idea to combine it with different focal lengths. We’ll explain why shortly.
3. Professional Tripod
You need as much stability as possible for your shots, so your tripod must be very good. The best tripod for Northern Lights photography is a carbon fiber tripod that is lightweight and easy to carry. Also, look for models with adjustable ball heads, which will greatly help you choose the framing and composition of your shots.
4. Spare Batteries and Intervalometer
You’ll be photographing there for a while, as it can sometimes be challenging to spot the perfect aurora and capture the perfect shot. It is highly recommended to bring spare batteries and memory cards. Cold weather also drains batteries very quickly, so plan accordingly.
How to Photograph the Northern Lights Like a Pro
1. Travel Time and Destination
The most common places to see the aurora are Northern Norway, Iceland, Svalbard, Alaska, Northern Canada, and Finnish/Swedish Lapland. However, choosing one of these locations does not guarantee you will see the Northern Lights upon arrival. That’s why it’s extremely important to double-check travel timing and weather.
The season between autumn and spring is known as the darkest time of year and is therefore well suited for such photographic trophies. Additionally, the months from October to February are considered especially favorable each year.
2. Find a Dark Location and Clear Sky
Okay, you’re in the right place at the right time. Before you start shooting, however, you need to find dark locations, usually away from city lights. This is easy with apps (Aurora Now is a great app) that provide real-time data to track aurora activity and also help you check weather conditions.
Weather is also extremely important here, as you can’t shoot under cloudy skies. My Aurora Forecast is a good way to check the KP index.
3. Camera Setup & Settings
Your camera should be set to manual mode with the widest aperture to maximize the amount of light. For slow-moving auroras, choose longer exposures of up to 15 seconds. For faster movement, 5 seconds is enough. Experiment to get the best results.
If you’re lucky enough to see a very bright aurora, choose a lower ISO around 800. In low light, ISO 1600 to 2000 should suffice with a mirrorless full-frame camera. It’s important to keep the camera in manual mode with the focus ring set to infinity, as autofocus struggles to focus under these conditions.
4. Focusing the Lens
A lens with an aperture between f/1.8 and f/2.8 is perfect for such shots. Also, look for lenses with focal lengths between 14 mm and 30 mm and low aperture values, e.g., f/2.8 or lower. Such lenses capture enough light and provide sufficient detail for aurora photography. If your camera uses a crop sensor, look for lenses with focal lengths of 10 mm to 25 mm.
For creative night shots, consider the SIRUI Saturn 35/50/75 mm T2.9 1.6x Anamorphic Lens kit. This is a lens trio that allows you closer shots compared to other lenses but definitely adds mood and interest due to its anamorphic optics.
The super-lightweight lens kit is perfect for night photography and adds blue light streaks to your shots, giving them a more artistic touch. The images are sharp even at wide open aperture and give the auroras a surreal flair.
Summary:
We have explained in detail above how to photograph the Northern Lights. The premise here is that you should do your homework before capturing the auroras. A powerful camera with high ISO capability, a wide-angle lens, and good manual settings are important. Invest in a camera lens kit like the SIRUI Saturn to take even more creative photos of these magnificent auroras.
