The Northern Lights top many travelers’ bucket lists. Stargazers from all over the world travel north for that rare glimpse of the phenomenon — and to snap a picture or two. So read on and find out how to photograph Northern Lights with a digital camera or even your smartphone!
Sadly, many travelers get home and realize that their carefully planned Aurora Borealis photos are too blurry and don't do it justice.
This ultimate beginner’s guide will help you plan, prepare, and nail photographing Northern Lights on your first try. Find out where and when it’s best to see the Northern Lights, read up on camera settings, and discover tips and tricks on setting up the shot.
A magnificent light show
The Northern Lights are only visible in Earth’s northernmost regions. This is because Earth’s magnetic field sends solar particles toward the North Pole. Those solar particles then collide with molecules in the atmosphere and bam! A magnificent light show.
The best places to see the Northern Lights are anywhere between 66°N and 69°N latitude, also called the Aurora Zone. This includes Iceland and northern Canada - the most magical places to visit during the winter!
For total darkness, get away from the city lights. Luckily, the more north you go, the less light pollution there is.
Reykjavik is one of the very few cities and the only capital in the world where you can observe the Northern Lights in the city center. It's also a great base to park your suitcase while you head out on a Northern Lights tour in the countryside.
Mirrored reflection of the Aurora Borealis
Did you know that the Northern Lights are present year-round? We don’t see them during summer because of the long daylight hours. The best time to see the Northern Lights is between September and April, when the sun sinks into the horizon and the nights are dark and long with clear skies.
The light show lasts anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours and may show up once or a few times during the night.
Bright Green Northern Lights
The Northern Lights are one of the world’s most unpredictable natural wonders. It’s pretty much impossible to know when and where the aurora will appear, but a few websites have mastered it quite well.
Your best bet is to browse local Northern Lights forecast websites for the country you’re in. Those websites list the exact location and strength of the Northern Lights predicted at least a few hours in advance.
For general predictions and information on the Northern Lights in the Arctic region, visit the University of Alaska Aurora Forecast website. If you’re in Iceland, check out this local Northern Lights information website.
Snapping a Great Pictures with a Smartphone
Yes! Great Northern Lights photos can be also snapped with your smartphone! To get those aurora shots perfect, follow these few easy steps:
Don’t listen to those naysayers who swear by using only digital cameras. Your smartphone can work too and, on top of that, you can edit and share your magical Northern Lights photography results in a blink of an eye.
People Watching Northern Lights
Digital Camera Equipment
If you still feel like the smartphone won't cut it, investing in some top-notch gear can go a long way. High-quality equipment is key to your Aurora photography trip. A better camera means better photographs. Here’s the essential gear:
A Woman Taking Picture of Northern Lights with Her Camera
To shoot the Northern Lights might seem easy, yet it’s challenging even to the best hunters out there. So let’s get to the nitty-gritty of the basic camera settings for Northern Lights photography you need to master:
1. Switch to Manual Mode
The first step is to set your camera and lens to manual mode. This gives you full control over your camera's settings, allowing you to adjust them according to the lighting conditions. Remember to turn off the flash and image stabilization as you won't need them for Northern Lights photography.
2. Adjust the ISO
The ISO setting controls your camera's sensitivity to light. Since you'll be taking photos of the Aurora Borealis at night when there isn't much light available, you should set your ISO to 1600 or above. However, be aware that a higher ISO can lead to more noise or grain in your Northern Lights photography, so you may need to experiment to find the best balance.
3. Set the Aperture
The aperture, or f-stop, controls how open the lens is. A wider aperture allows more light to enter the camera, which is crucial when photographing the Northern Lights. Set the aperture to f-2.8 or even lower if your lens allows it. Remember, the lower the f-stop number, the wider the aperture.
4. Control the Shutter Speed
Shutter speed refers to the amount of time that your lens is open and absorbing light. You'll need to adjust this setting based on the brightness and movement of the lights. If the colors of the aurora are bright and fast-moving, your shutter speed should be set to 1-5 seconds. If the lights are slow and dim, set your shutter speed to 20-30 seconds.
5. White Balance Adjustment
While photographing the Northern Lights, it's crucial to manually set your white balance. A good starting point is to set your white balance around 3500 Kelvin, which is when the Northern Lights show a more natural color. For faster editing, aim for color consistency in your Aurora photography. This is crucial for Northern Lights panoramas and saves time in post-processing.
6. Focus Properly
Focusing can be tricky at night. One trick is to zoom in on a star or the moon, set your focus, and then zoom out. This ensures that your camera is focused at infinity, which is ideal for capturing the vast night sky. If your camera has a manual focus option, use it and set your focus to infinity.
Remember, these settings are just a starting point. The Northern Lights can vary greatly in brightness and speed, so you'll need to adjust your settings as needed throughout the night. Don't be afraid to experiment and make adjustments until you get the perfect shot!
Plane Wreck on The Beach
Now that you’ve snapped great shots of the Aurora, it’s time to enhance them with editing tools. The proper editing techniques heavily depend on the quality of the picture. If you think the picture is perfect without any edits, just leave it as it is!
Here are a few tips and tricks to enhance your Northern Lights pictures:
Packing a Bag With A Gear
Weather conditions in and around the Arctic can be harsh and unpredictable, especially in winter. Whether you're heading out for a regular Northern Lights hunt or planning to capture the spectacle through your lens, it's crucial to pack the right gear. Here's a checklist of essentials to pack:
Photographers love Northern Lights hunting tours. The tours take you directly to the best spots to view and photograph the light show.
Our Northern Lights tours in Iceland and Canada can be a single-evening experience or a multi-day adventure. Our tour guides are also kick-ass photographers and will capture a free photo of you with the aurora in the background.
Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik
Head out on our Northern Lights hunt just outside of Reykjavik. The tour will take you into the rural Icelandic wilderness, away from the city lights. Drive off the beaten path to hunt the green auroras. Join our expert guides in a minibus or super jeep for a night you'll remember forever.
People Standing and Watching Northern Lights
Aurora Borealis Viewing from a Wilderness Lodge
In Canada, admire the Aurora Borealis from a private wilderness lodge in the Northern Territories. Venture deep into the Arctic Circle at Yellowknife.
Sometimes it's best to cozy up in a lodge with a cup of hot cocoa under the Northern Lights. The forested wilds of northern Canada are prime real estate for viewing away from light pollution.
Aurora Borealis above the Forest
5 Day South Coast, Snaefellsnes & Northern Lights
Or combine the search with a South Coast and Snaefellsnes sightseeing tour.
These multi-day tours are great for maximizing your time and chances of viewing. Every night, we put you up in a hotel in the countryside, so you have multiple chances to spot the aurora.
Mountain Kirkjufell and Aurora Borealis
Hooked and ready to snap that perfect Northern Lights shot? Pick a Northern Lights tour in Iceland and cross this magical light show off your bucket list!
