Photographing the Northern Lights

Photographing the northern lights (aurora borealis) requires a good combination of camera settings and the right lens to capture the stunning light display. Here's a guide to get the best results:

Lens:

  1. Wide-Angle Lens:

    • Use a wide-angle lens (14-24mm) to capture the vastness of the sky and the landscape.

    • Look for a fast lens with a large aperture (f/2.8 or faster) to gather more light in low-light conditions.

  2. Manual Focus:

    • Set your lens to manual focus and focus on infinity to get sharp stars and aurora. A test shot of the stars will help you dial in the focus.

Camera Settings:

  1. Aperture:

    • Start with the widest aperture your lens allows (f/2.8 or lower). This will let in the most light and help capture details in the aurora.

  2. Shutter Speed:

    • 5 to 15 seconds: This depends on the speed and intensity of the aurora. Shorter exposures (around 5-7 seconds) will capture more detailed patterns in fast-moving auroras, while longer exposures can create smoother, more diffuse light.

    • Avoid exposures longer than 15-20 seconds to prevent star trails.

  3. ISO:

    • Set your ISO between 800 and 3200. Start at ISO 1600 and adjust based on the brightness of the aurora and your exposure time.

  4. White Balance:

    • Use Auto white balance, or set it manually to 3500-4000K for a natural look to the aurora's colors.

  5. Image Format:

    • Shoot in RAW format to allow greater flexibility in post-processing.

  6. Metering Mode:

    • Set to Evaluative/Matrix Metering, but note that northern lights photography requires manual adjustments rather than relying on your camera's meter.

Additional Tips:

  • Tripod: A sturdy tripod is essential to keep your camera steady during long exposures.

  • Remote Shutter/Timer: Use a remote shutter release or set a 2-second timer to avoid camera shake.

  • Check the Forecast: Apps or websites that forecast aurora activity can help you prepare for when the lights are most active.

These settings should give you great results when photographing the northern lights!

Please view some of Rich and Jingru’s northern lights images by clicking here.