A beginner-friendly guide to photographing the Northern Lights. Read this article to learn how to get night photography tips, the best equipment, and proven settings for outstanding aurora borealis shots.
Understanding Night Photography and the Northern Lights
The Aurora Borealis, also called the Northern Lights, is on the wish list of most travelers worldwide – and for good reason: the dancing polar lights over these breathtaking winter landscapes are simply beautiful. Something most of us do not get to see in other parts of the world.
This phenomenon occurs in higher latitudes, where the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere interact with the charged particles from the sun, creating a shimmering effect in the sky. This phenomenon creates a photogenic sight in the sky. Therefore, thousands of people come every year to experience it. The search query “photographing Northern Lights” is thus frequently sought on the internet.
If you are planning your first aurora photo shoot, you should plan your trip and luggage strategically to get 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, that is, 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 large aperture and brightness. You will use this lens in manual mode, so it always makes sense to combine it with different focal lengths. We will explain why shortly.
3. Professional Tripod
You need as much stability as possible for your shots, and for that, your tripod must be very good. The best tripod for Northern Lights photography is a carbon-fiber tripod, which is light and easy to carry. Also, look for models with adjustable ball heads, which help you greatly in choosing the framing and composition of your image.
4. Spare Batteries and Intervalometer
You will be photographing there for a while, as it can sometimes be difficult to spot the perfect aurora and make the perfect shot. It is strongly recommended to bring spare batteries and memory cards. Cold weather also drains batteries very quickly, so plan accordingly.
How to Photograph Northern Lights Like a Professional
1. Travel Time and Destination
The most common places to observe the Northern Lights are northern Norway, Iceland, Svalbard, Alaska, northern Canada, and Finnish/Swedish Lapland. However, choosing one of these places does not guarantee that you will see the Northern Lights upon arrival. Therefore, it is extremely important to check the travel time and weather again.
The season between autumn and spring is known to be the darkest time of year and is therefore well suited for such photographic trophies. Furthermore, the months from October to February are considered especially favorable each year.
2. Find a Dark Place and a Clear Sky.
Okay, you are in the right place at the right time. Before you start shooting, however, you need to find dark places, usually away from city lights. This is quite 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 cannot take shots 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 and the largest aperture to maximize the amount of light. For slow-moving auroras, you should choose longer exposure times of up to 15 seconds. For faster movement, 5 seconds is enough. Experiment to achieve the best results.
If you are lucky enough to see a very bright aurora, choose a lower ISO value around 800. In low light, ISO 1600 to 2000 with a mirrorless full-frame camera should suffice. It is important to keep the camera in manual mode with the focus ring set to infinity, as autofocus struggles to focus under such 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 10 mm and 25 mm focal lengths.
For creative night shots, consider the SIRUI Saturn 35/50/75 mm T2.9 1.6x Anamorphic Lens kit. This is a trio of lenses that allows you closer shots compared to other lenses but definitely adds mood and interest due to its anamorphic optics.
The super-light lens kit is perfect for night shots and gives the images blue light streaks, lending them a more artistic touch. The pictures are sharp even at wide open aperture and give the Northern Lights 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 aurora. 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 Northern Lights.
