Photo by Jason Swain (author) in the Keweenaw Peninsula
Photographing the northern lights, or aurora borealis, is more than just taking a picture; it's an opportunity to embrace nature's art in action. Imagine standing under a sky swirling with greens, purples, and pinks, as if the universe itself is putting on a show just for you. For beginners, this might seem like a tall order, but capturing this breathtaking phenomenon is within your reach. This guide will provide you with the essential steps to photograph the northern lights using both a smartphone and a DSLR or mirrorless camera.
Understanding the Northern Lights
To appreciate and photograph the northern lights effectively, it's crucial to grasp their origins. The spectacle occurs when charged particles from the sun interact with atoms in Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in stunning displays of light. These colors are usually vibrant — green being the most common, while purples, reds, and pinks also make appearances. To learn more see my blog post The Science Behind the Northern Lights: Solar Flares and CMEs
The best time to view this phenomenon is during winter (due to shorter days/longer darkness) in high-latitude regions, though they can be seen year-round. Places like Norway, Iceland, Canada, and Alaska are renowned for their auroral activity, but Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula is possibly the best viewing location in the continental U.S.
Preparing for Your Aurora Photography Trip
Choosing the Right Location
Finding the perfect spot is vital for capturing the northern lights. Opt for locations that are remote and away from city lights to ensure a clear view of the sky. Places like the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park, Brockway Mountain or remote cabins away from urban light pollution create ideal backdrops.
You can further enhance your chances by using website resources and apps focused on aurora forecasts. Many of these tools provide real-time updates on auroral activity, helping you to choose the best times and places. Since auroral activity depends on the suns activity, and it takes approximately 2-4 days for this activity to reach earth, we can only predict the northern lights 2-4 days ahead of time. My blog post https://www.keweenawboattours.com/post/apps-and-resources-for-predicting-the-northern-lights goes over some of the apps and resources used to predict the northern lights.
Timing Your Shoot
Timing is everything when it comes to aurora photography. Often people ask "what time are they expected to be out"? I'm here to tell you that there is no "time" to set your watch to when it comes to a aurora display. There are a lot of variables that affect the timing. If you don't want to miss this spectacular phenomenon, your best chance is to plan on being at your spot around sunset and plan on staying out for hours. I've witnessed aurora that was visible just after dark, that last for 15-30 minutes, and I've also waited a few hours until the northern lights danced from 11:00pm until sunrise. Every display is different. It's also essential to check the local weather forecasts. Clear skies are crucial — even a small amount of cloud cover can obscure this natural light show.
Photographing the Northern Lights with a Smartphone
Setting Up Your Smartphone Camera
Capturing the beauty of the northern lights with just a smartphone is entirely possible. Here are steps to get the most out of your device:
Use a Tripod: Stability prevents camera shake. If you lack a tripod, find a sturdy surface or lean against something stable to keep your phone steady.
Download a Camera App: Apps such as "NightCap" or "ProCamera" offer manual controls. These can dramatically enhance your photography experience by allowing you to adjust settings.
Adjust Your Exposure: Increase the exposure time to around 10 to 30 seconds. This will help gather more light, especially important given the darkness during aurora viewing. The brighter/more intense the show, or if thery are visibly moving to the naked eye, you will need a shorter exposure to prevent blur. You want to find a balance in able to capture as much light as possible without over exposing.
Set ISO: Adjusting your ISO to a range of 400 to 1600 can capture more light. Monitoring for noise is essential, as higher ISO settings can result in grainy images. Again, you want to find the right balance between exposure and ISO. It is good practice to change these settings often until you get your desired shot. Beginners in astrophotography may get frustrated at first, so I recommend playing with your phone/camera settings on a normal night, maybe taking pictures of the stars, just to get use to what the different settings do.
Use “Night Mode”: If your device has one, this feature typically optimizes settings for lower light, making it easier to capture the auroras. On some smartphones this setting may be all you need to capture stunning northern lights photos.
Taking the Shot
Frame Your Shot: Incorporate elements like trees, hills, or water to add context to your photograph. While a shot of the aurora in the sky is a great shot, adding something in the foreground can add depth and create a truly breathtaking photo.
Click and Adjust: After taking an initial shot, review it and tweak settings as needed. Taking several shots can help you choose the best one later.
Play with Focus: To start, you must use manual focus. Find a bright start and focus until it becomes as sharp as possible. If your phone has an infinity focus option, it may be best to start there.
Photographing the Northern Lights with a DSLR or Mirrorless Camera
Setting Up Your Camera
With a DSLR or mirrorless camera, you’ll have more control over your shots. Here’s how to prepare:
Use a Sturdy Tripod: Ensure your camera stays still for the long exposures necessary to capture the lights.
Exposure: Set your shutter speed to between 5 to 15 seconds to avoid streaks.
Aperture: Use a wide aperture (f/2.8 to f/4) for maximum light.
ISO: Start with an ISO of 800 to 3200, adjusting based on the brightness of the lights. The higher the ISO, the grainier your photos tend to be.
Wide-Angle Lens: Opt for a wide-angle lens, typically between 14mm to 24mm. This allows for capturing broader landscapes of the aurora.
Settings to Use:
Composing the Shot
Find a Compelling Foreground: As mentioned above, elements like lakes or trees can add interest and context to your photos. For instance, reflections in a calm lake can create even more stunning compositions.
Use Manual Focus: Switch your camera to manual focus, which allows you to set it to infinity for sharper images at night. Find a bright star and focus until it is a clear pinpoint.
Ensure your file format is set to RAW. This will allow you more editing flexibility later on.
Play with your exposure, aperture, and ISO: Taking a series of photos with varying exposures will help you quickly identify the ideal settings for that night. As the aurora changes in brightness and intensity, you may have to change your settings often.
Post-Processing Your Photos
Once your shots are taken, post-processing can bring your images to life:
Use Editing Software: Tools like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop allow you to enhance brightness, contrast, and saturation, making the colors pop. Be careful not to "over edit" your photos. You just want to enhance the natural beauty.
Reduce Noise: If you used a higher ISO, apply noise reduction techniques in your editing software to clean up your images. There are noise reduction sliders in software like LightRoom.
Crop for Composition: Sometimes, cropping can improve your composition significantly, focusing attention on the stunning auroras.
Additional Tips for Capturing the Northern Lights
Dress Appropriately
Being warm is key when you plan to spend several hours outdoors in cold temperatures. Wear layers and have plenty of insulation. A good pair of gloves will also keep your hands warm as you handle your camera gear.
Be Patient
The northern lights can be unpredictable. Sometimes, you might wait for hours before they appear. Use this waiting time to enjoy the serene beauty of the night sky and the environment around you.
Experience the Moment
While capturing the auroras is fantastic, don’t forget to put your camera down every once in a while. Witnessing the northern lights is a magical moment, one that deserves to be experienced fully.
Capturing Lifelong Memories
Photographing the northern lights is a thrilling journey for beginners and experienced photographers alike. By understanding your equipment, whether it be a smartphone or a DSLR, you can effectively capture the magic of the aurora borealis. Planning ahead, staying patient, and immersing yourself in the experience will lead to unforgettable moments. With practice and a bit of creativity, you'll be able to preserve these stunning sights and cherish the memories they create.
If you'd like to schedule a Northern Lights in the Keweenaw and Photography for beginners tour see my website and/or call (906) 281-1556
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