Aurora Photography – How to Capture the Northern Lights
Aurora photography can be both magical and challenging – whether you’re using a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or smartphone. This expert guide covers camera settings, composition, equipment, and creative techniques to help you capture unforgettable northern lights moments.
Why Photographing the Northern Lights is so Special
The aurora borealis is one of nature’s most incredible phenomena, and capturing it on camera lets you relive the experience again and again. From dancing green arcs to intense purple outbursts, every photo is a frozen memory of the Arctic sky at its most magical.
Best Equipment for Aurora Photography
For the best results, use a camera with manual settings and good low-light performance. Mirrorless and DSLR cameras work best, but even compact cameras can work if they allow manual control of shutter speed, ISO, and focus.
Camera & Cards
Use a camera that allows full manual control of shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. Mirrorless and DSLR models are ideal, but even high-end compacts can work if they handle low light well.
Lens
Use a wide-angle lens (14–24mm) with a fast aperture (f/2.8 or lower) to capture more sky and light. The aurora moves quickly, so a bright lens makes a huge difference.
Tripod
Use a sturdy tripod to keep your camera stable during long exposures. Even the slightest movement can cause blur, so solid support is essential in windy or snowy Arctic conditions.
Extra Batteries
Bring at least 2–3 spare batteries and keep them warm in your jacket. Cold weather drains power fast, and you don’t want to miss the best moments while waiting for a recharge.
Remote Shutter
Use a remote shutter or a 2-second timer to avoid camera shake when pressing the shutter button. This helps keep your long exposures sharp and crystal clear.
Headlamp
Wear a headlamp with a red light mode to preserve your night vision while adjusting settings/walking around. It helps you see without ruining exposure or disturbing others.
Recommended Aurora Photography Camera Settings
Knowing your camera settings before heading into the dark Arctic night is essential. When the aurora starts dancing, there’s no time to fumble with menus or guess the right exposure. Mastering the basics—like shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and focus—will let you react quickly, avoid frustration, and capture stunning northern lights photos from the very first flare. Here’s what you need to know to be ready when the sky comes alive.
Can You Photograph the Aurora with a Smartphone?
Yes — many modern smartphones are capable of capturing the Northern Lights, especially during strong aurora activity and under dark, clear skies. While phones can’t fully match professional camera equipment, they are more than capable of capturing memorable aurora moments for most travelers.
To get the best results, use Night Mode and enable manual controls if your phone supports them. Keep your phone completely steady by using a small tripod or resting it on a backpack, rock, or railing. Even small movements can cause blur during longer exposures.
If available, consider using third-party camera apps that allow manual control over ISO, exposure time, and focus. Apps like ProCamera or Adobe Lightroom Mobile can provide more flexibility than the default camera app.
Smartphone Tips for Aurora Photography
• Flash and HDR should be disabled to avoid unwanted light
• Focus is best set to infinity when supported by your phone
• The widest lens provides better sky coverage
• Night Mode or short 2–5 second exposures work best
• Lower ISO helps reduce noise during bright aurora displays
• Multiple frames increase the chance
Advantages of Using a Smartphone
• Always with you — no extra equipment required
• Very fast to set up when aurora appears suddenly
• Night Mode works surprisingly well on newer phones
• Lightweight and easy to handle in cold conditions
• No technical camera knowledge required
• Easy to edit and share photos instantly
Limitations to Be Aware Of while using a phone
• Less detail and dynamic range than dedicated cameras
• More image noise in very dark Arctic conditions
• Limited manual control on older phone models
• Difficult to capture faint or slow-moving auroras
• Long exposures are sensitive to small movements
• Strong aurora activity gives the best results
While smartphones won’t replace professional cameras, they are an excellent tool for capturing your first Northern Lights photos — and often all you need to bring home unforgettable memories.
Top 5 Aurora Photography Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced photographers can struggle under the northern lights. In the excitement of the moment, it’s easy to forget small but crucial details that ruin your shots. Avoid these common mistakes and you’ll walk away with sharper, more beautiful images — without frustration in the cold.
Forgetting to focus manually
Using auto white balance (if not shooting RAW)
Setting exposure time too long (causing blurry auroras)
Not bringing spare batteries
Touching the tripod during long exposures
Going Beyond Still Photos – Video and Timelapse
Want to bring your aurora experience to life? Try shooting timelapse sequences with interval shooting, or even record live video in high ISO mode. Experiment with foregrounds, reflections, and long exposures to add drama and depth.
Video Of The Aurora
Capturing video of the aurora requires a camera that performs well in low light and allows manual control over ISO, focus, and shutter speed. Use a fast lens (f/2.8 or wider) and set ISO high enough to expose the sky without too much noise. Record in 4K if possible, and keep your camera steady on a tripod. A remote trigger or video mode with manual override helps you avoid shake and retain quality during long exposures.
Timelapse Of The Aurora
Timelapse lets you capture the full motion of the aurora across the sky. Use a sturdy tripod, a wide lens, and interval shooting mode set to take one image every 2–10 seconds depending on aurora speed. Manual settings are essential: keep the aperture wide, ISO between 800–3200, and shutter speed around 4–8 seconds. Use a remote timer or built-in intervalometer, and bring spare batteries—it’s a long process in cold conditions.
Video vs. Timelapse – What’s the Difference?
While both techniques capture the beauty of the aurora, they are quite different in practice. Video requires a camera with excellent low-light performance, ideally one that can shoot in 4K with manual controls for ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. To achieve smooth and noise-free results, you’ll need a fast lens and a camera body with strong sensor sensitivity—making it a more gear-intensive and expensive approach.
Timelapse, on the other hand, is more accessible. Most mirrorless or DSLR cameras allow interval shooting and can produce stunning results with basic equipment. Since you’re capturing still images, even entry-level cameras can perform well, and you can edit the final video from the photo sequence in post-production.
In short: video captures the real-time motion of the aurora, while timelapse captures its progression over time—each with its own creative strengths and technical demands.
Explore More Aurora Photography Tips
Tips & Resources for Better Aurora Photography
Maximize your chances of capturing the Northern Lights with these essential tools, forecasts, and tips used by experts.
- 📡 Stay updated with the NOAA 30-Minute Aurora Forecast for KP index and activity strength.
- ☁️ Check YR.no for cloud coverage and local weather forecasts.
- 🌍 Use Light Pollution Map to find dark, remote areas with the best visibility.
- 🗺️ Track live aurora sightings with Aurorasaurus, based on real-time community reports.
- 🎒 Bring extra batteries, hand warmers, and a sturdy tripod — especially for long exposures in sub-zero temperatures.
- 📸 Learn your gear before your trip, and explore the full aurora photography guide for expert advice.
About the Photographer
The person behind most of the visuals on BookAurora’s channels is a former Canon Professional Photographer with over 35 years of experience capturing the northern lights. He was the first in the world to gain access to the revolutionary Canon ME20F-SH, a low-light video camera capable of filming the aurora in real time. He not only helped launch the product globally, but also produced Canon’s official worldwide release film and product demos for all major websites featuring the camera.
Since then, he has continued to film with the ME20F-SH—amassing what is likely the world’s largest real-time aurora video archive.
This extensive footage library is a key asset for BookAurora and its partners. As the creator of all the social media channels used by BookAurora (with more than 10 million followers), he now uses his expertise and content to support the aurora community.
Aurora Partners without their own high-quality video footage can benefit from this archive. It can be used to produce branded videos to help promote their destination, experience, or accommodation.
This video support is also mentioned as part of the collaboration options on the Become an Aurora Partner – page.