How to Capture the Northern Lights: A Beginner’s Guide

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably dreamt of capturing the Northern Lights in all their magic. Well, guess what? Today, I’m spilling the secrets on how you can make that dream a reality, whether you’re using a camera or just relying on your phone. Here are some photography tips on how to capture the Northern Lights.

Getting Started: Gear

First things first, let’s talk gear. If you’re lucky enough to own a professional camera, like my Canon EOS R6, then that’s amazing. This camera is more than capable of capturing the Aurora Borealis.

What if I don’t have a fancy camera? That’s okay! Your phone, especially the iPhone 15 Pro, does just as good of a job. Make sure all your equipment is fully charged, pair it with a sturdy tripod and you’re good to go!

how to capture the northern lights with your camera

I’m unlocking the magic so that you have optimal camera settings for your camera (DSLR or Mirrorless):

1. Manual Mode: Switch your camera to manual mode. This allows you to adjust settings like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO for the perfect shot.
2. Wide Aperture: Open up your aperture to let in as much light as possible. Start with f/2.8 or wider to capture those auroras in all their glory. However, If your camera lens doesn’t have this, go to the lowest possible aperture setting.
3. Slow Shutter Speed: To capture the fluid motion of the Northern Lights, set your shutter speed to around 5-15 seconds. If you are looking for a more blended skyscape, set your shutter speed to 30 seconds. Long story short, experiment with different speeds until you find the perfect balance for the photos you are looking for.
4. Lower ISO: Keep your ISO as low as possible to minimize noise in your images. Start with ISO 800 and adjust accordingly based on the brightness of the auroras.
5. Manual Focus: Switch to manual focus and use the magnifying glass icon to make sure what you’re capturing is in focus. You want your images to look nice and sharp!

Reminder: pack your tripod as this is ESSENTIAL when capturing the Northern Lights

Photography Settings for your phone

Make the most of what you have and don’t underestimate the power of your phone! Here’s how to optimize your phone settings when capturing the Northern Lights if you are using an iPhone:

1. Night Mode: If your phone has a night mode feature, be sure to enable it. This will enhance low-light performance and capture more detail in your shots. Try shooting anywhere between 3 – 10 seconds for long-exposure shots.
2. Exposure: You can adjust the exposure for better control over your shots. Depending on how bright the aurora is, adjust accordingly.
3. Tripod: Keep your phone as steady as possible to avoid blurry photos. If you don’t have a tripod, try stabilizing your phone against a solid surface for support.

Reminder: Clean your camera lens so your images look sharp

Video Settings For Your phone

Now that you have your photography phone settings, you may be asking, what about if I want to video the Northern Lights? Well, I have that covered for you too! Here’s the video settings that I shot with my iPhone:

1. Use 4K Resolution: Maximize the detail and clarity of your videos by shooting in 4K. I have seen some people saying to capture HD, but this is what I shot with and I think my videos turned out well. If the 4K isn’t working for you, try this other setting.
2. Keep it Steady: Invest in a stabilizer or use a tripod to keep your shots steady and smooth. Otherwise, lean it against something sturdy.
3. Experiment with Frame Rates: Play around with different frame rates to achieve the desired cinematic effect. Try shooting in the standard 30fps or 60fps for smoother motion. I shot in 60fps and I thought my video turned out well.

Reminder: Clean your camera lens so your images look sharp

Capturing Timelapses

Timelapse videos can beautifully capture the ever-changing dance of the Northern Lights. Here’s how to create one on your camera:

1. Set a Long Interval: Choose a longer interval between shots to capture the gradual movement of the auroras. Aim for around 2-5 seconds between shots.
2. Use Manual Exposure: Lock your exposure settings to maintain consistent brightness throughout the timelapse.
3. TRIPOD: I know it’s repetitive at this point, but honestly, using a tripod will have you screaming at how good these pictures will look.

You may be wondering, but what about my phone? On my iPhone there is a Timelapse camera setting. Set up your camera on your tripod, click that setting, and you’re good to go!

Final Thoughts: Patience is Key

Whether you’re shooting with a professional camera or your trusty phone, capturing the Northern Lights is as much about patience as it is about technique. So, don’t be disheartened if you don’t get the perfect shot on your first try.

Hopefully, this has helped you on how to capture the Northern Lights the next time you see them. I’m a beginner with Aurora photography myself. All I can say is keep experimenting, stay persistent, and most importantly, enjoy the breathtaking beauty unfolding before your eyes!