My Adventure in Photographing the Northern Lights
Capturing the Aurora Borealis
Chasing the Northern Lights is a thrilling adventure. But as the green curtains begin to dance across the sky, a new challenge arises: how do you capture that spectacular moment on camera?
When I first tried to photograph them, my photos came out blurry, overexposed, or just plain dark. I learned these settings when I was chasing the aurora borealis in [Tromsø, Norway]. You don't need to be a professional photographer with expensive gear; you just need to know a few simple tricks.
This guide is for anyone who wants to go home with more than just a memory. Here’s everything you need to know to take stunning photos of the Northern Lights.
1. The Essential Gear: What to Pack
You don't need a lot, but you absolutely need these three things.
A Camera with Manual Mode: This is non-negotiable. You can't rely on automatic settings in the dark. Your camera needs to have a manual mode (
Mon the dial) that lets you control the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. A DSLR or a mirrorless camera is ideal, but some high-end smartphones also have a manual or "Pro" mode that will work.A Wide-Angle Lens: The aurora can fill a huge part of the sky. A wide-angle lens (anything from 14mm to 24mm) will help you capture as much of the scene as possible.
A Sturdy Tripod: This is the most important piece of equipment after your camera. You will be taking long-exposure shots, so your camera must be perfectly still. Even a slight shake will result in a blurry photo.
2. The Right Camera Settings: My Easy Formula
These settings are a great starting point. You can adjust them slightly depending on how bright the aurora is.
ISO: 800 - 3200
This setting controls your camera's sensitivity to light. A higher ISO is needed for dark conditions, but be careful—too high and your photo will look "noisy" or grainy. Start at 800 and increase it if needed.
Aperture (f/stop): f/2.8 - f/4.0
This controls how much light your lens lets in. The lower the number, the more light comes in. Use the lowest number your lens allows (like f/2.8 or f/4.0) to get as much light as possible.
Shutter Speed: 10 - 20 seconds
This is how long your camera's shutter stays open. For the Northern Lights, you need to leave it open for a long time to gather enough light. Start with a 10-second exposure. If the aurora is faint, you can increase it to 15 or 20 seconds. If the lights are moving very fast, a shorter time (like 5 seconds) can help you capture their shape more clearly.
‘Northern lights in Tromsø’ by Gunnar Hildonen is licensed under the Creative CommonsAttribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.
3. Simple Shooting Tips: From the Field
Turn Off Your Flash: Your flash will do nothing but ruin the shot. You are not photographing anything in the foreground.
Focus Manually: Your camera's autofocus won't work in the dark. Switch your lens to manual focus (MF). Point your camera at a distant bright star and adjust the focus until the star looks like a tiny pinpoint of light.
Take a Test Shot: Take a test shot with the settings above. If the photo is too dark, increase your ISO. If it’s too bright, decrease your shutter speed. You can adjust your settings slightly until you get the perfect shot.
Use the Self-Timer or a Remote: To prevent any camera shake from pressing the shutter button, set your camera's self-timer to 2 seconds or use a remote shutter.
The bad example for northern light shot with auto mode from my phone
My Final Thoughts
Photographing the Northern Lights is an unforgettable experience. My biggest piece of advice is to not get so caught up in your camera that you forget to put it down and just enjoy the show. A photograph is a wonderful souvenir, but the memory of standing under those dancing curtains of light is even more precious.
Curious about the science behind the magic? Read my full guide on:
What I learned about the Northern Lights after chasing them in Tromsø.
Ready to see the magic in action? Read my full travel story for Tromsø
Chasing the Northern Lights in Tromsø: Fuel & Flex in Arctic Norway
What's your top tip for photographing the night sky? Share it in the comments below!
