How to photograph the Northern Lights
Many of our guests bring camera equipment on tour, and almost everyone has a phone, most of which have cameras capable of capturing the Northern Lights, though not quite at the level of a DSLR or mirrorless camera. We thought it would be helpful to share some easy tips to help you capture your special moment under the Aurora.
The best equipment to capture the beauty of the Northern Lights is a DSLR or mirrorless camera. We personally use Nikon Z cameras, but there are many other great options. Here are a few useful tips to help you:
Camera & Lens
Any camera should be able to take better photos than a phone. If possible, use a wide-angle lens with a low aperture (more on that later), but even a stock lens can take great photos with the right settings.
A tripod is a must. No matter how steady you think your hand is, every photo will be blurry unless taken on a tripod.
Use Manual Mode. Avoid auto mode, it struggles in low light. Manual mode lets you adjust settings to capture the best shot.
Focus
Use manual focus – Relying on auto-focus in low light can make it difficult for the camera to lock onto a subject, often resulting in blurry images.
Fine-tune your focus – Many guides suggest setting focus to infinity, but this isn’t always accurate. Instead, zoom in on a star or a distant light, adjust the focus ring until it’s sharp on your display, then take a test shot to confirm.
Camera Settings
Aperture – The lower the f-stop, the more light your lens lets in. A setting of f/2.8 or lower works best for capturing the Northern Lights in dark conditions.
ISO – Adjusting ISO controls the camera's sensitivity to light. A higher ISO brightens the image but can introduce noise. Stay below ISO 6400 to keep images clean and detailed.
Shutter Speed – The amount of time your camera sensor is exposed to light affects brightness and motion blur.
If the aurora is faint, use a longer exposure (5- 10sec) to gather more light.
If the aurora is bright and moving quickly, use a shorter exposure (1 - 5 sec) to capture details without much motion blur.
If there is a bright moon, a shorter shutter speed is recommended to avoid overexposing the sky and losing aurora details.
Colour Balance – Adjusting the white balance can significantly affect how the aurora looks in your photos. Auto white balance may add an unnatural tint, so setting it manually to around 3500K - 4000K often produces the best results, keeping the aurora’s natural green and purple tones intact.
Self-Timer or Remote Shutter
Pressing the shutter button can cause vibrations, making your photo blurry. We recommend either a remote shutter button or using a short self-timer. All of our images are taken with a self-timer to eliminate blur.
Phone Photography Tips
If you're using a phone, you can still take stunning photos with the right approach.
Use Pro Mode – If your phone has a Pro or Manual Mode, use it to manually adjust ISO, shutter speed, and focus. Lower the ISO to reduce noise, set a longer shutter speed to capture more light, and manually adjust focus to keep the aurora sharp. These are the same principles used in DSLR and mirrorless photography—adjusting exposure settings to balance light, clarity, and motion for the best possible image.
Otherwise use Night Mode – Many modern smartphones have a built-in Night Mode that allows for longer exposure times, improving brightness and clarity in low light.
Use a Tripod – Since phone cameras rely on longer exposure times, keeping the phone stable is crucial. A tripod or a solid surface will help prevent motion blur.
With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to capturing and perfecting the magic of the Northern Lights, whether you’re using a pro camera or just your phone. Happy shooting and may the auroras be ever in your favor!