How to photograph the northern lights

The mesmerising colours of the northern lights that flicker across the Arctic sky is a truly unique sight to behold. Watch them from a mountainside or the seashore, through the glass roof of a warm and comfy igloo, or get a front-row seat on the observation deck on board one of the Norwegian Coastal Express Hurtigruten’s ships as it sails under the auroral oval. You did bring your camera, right?

How to take pictures of the northern lights

When the light show brightens up the sky, the moment is definitely worth capturing. Photographer Christian Hoiberg has loads of experience when it comes to photographing aurora’s fleeting beauty.

“Photographing the aurora isn’t that difficult when you have some basic knowledge of your camera. The hardest part is actually to find her, she can be quite the tease,” says Christian.

Here’s his northern lights photography guide for beginners.

1. Get away from artificial light

If you are too close to the city lights, your photos won’t be that good. Find a good spot away from the city centre. Your chances of getting the perfect Instagram pic can increase considerably if you join a local northern lights guide who knows the best lookout spots. In any case, never use flash when taking your pictures.

2. Check the forecast(s)

Remember to check the weather forecast (you want clear skies) and the aurora forecast (so you know when she’ll be dancing). Imagine sitting by a bonfire with a hot cup of coffee, ready to witness the greatest light show on earth – and then it starts to rain. Not your idea of a perfect evening, is it? Again, it might be wise to join a guided northern lights trip – the guides have first-hand knowledge of the local conditions.

For easy access on the go, download the northern lights forecast NorwayLights on your iPhone, Android, or Windows device.

3. Wear warm clothes – You’re in the Arctic!

The winter in Northern Norway is cold. Shaky hands and frozen fingers are no use when you want to get a good picture, so bundle up in several layers of clothing. It doesn’t matter if it makes you look like the Michelin Man’s chubby cousin – aurora will be the star of your photo anyway.

4. Keep your camera steady

Some blurry images may be artistic, but I guess that is not what you want here? Use a tripod, and your photos are less likely to look like they were taken after a few too many craft beers. If you don’t have a tripod, find a big rock, the bonnet of a car, or something else to keep your camera steady. A remote trigger or cable release can also come in handy.

5. Use manual settings if you have them

Yes, automatic settings make life easier, but they are not your friend when taking photos in the dark. Worst case scenario, the auroras won’t be visible in your photo at all!

The right camera settings for photographing northern lights vary with the time and location, and from camera to camera. Nevertheless, manual settings are always best. They allow you to adjust focus, shutter speed, ISO, and aperture. A good piece of advice is to familiarise yourself with your camera’s settings before you travel to increase your chances of getting that perfect aurora shot. Read more about camera settings in the fact box below.

Manual settings for northern lights photography

Shutter speed
This is the amount of time your shutter is open and adding light to your image. Longer speed equals more light, which is what you want.

Use a tripod and self-timer/remote control/shutter release cable for stability.

Aperture
Think of the aperture as your camera’s pupil. Adjust the aperture to change the amount of light that passes through your lens.

For northern lights, use the smallest setting possible for your lens, such as f/1.4–f/4.

ISO
A higher ISO adds more light to your photo. Between 800 and 3200 ISO is ideal, depending on other light sources such as the moon.

Focus
Use manual focus for the best result. Find a bright star and adjust the focus so that the star is as small as possible.

A good starting point when photographing the northern lights is: aperture f/2.8, ISO 1600 (increase if it’s very dark) and a 15 second shutter speed. Keep in mind that if the aurora is very active (i.e. moves quickly), you need to shorten the shutter speed.

Let a guide help you
Many northern lights guides have good camera knowledge and can help you with your settings.

6. If you only have a phone, find the right app

Wondering how to take pictures of the northern lights with a smartphone? The results will not be the same, but don’t worry. You can still get a decent shot if you download an app to help you change the shutter speed on your camera. Does your phone maybe have AI to help you get good images at night?

The best conditions for photographing the northern lights with your phone are a bright moon and an aurora with colours so strong that she almost knocks you off your feet. Find more tips in the fact box above the slideshow.

How to take pictures of northern lights with iPhone or Android

1. Do not use a flash.

2. Use manual focus.

3. Download camera replacement apps. They give you more options to change camera settings, such as the shutter speed. Popular apps include Long Exposure 2, NightCap Camera, and Northern Lights Photo Taker. Find a few that are compatible with your phone and test them before you go, to find out which one you feel comfortable using.

4. For stability, use a tripod and a timer to delay the shot. That way you reduce camera shake. Remember that if you usually have your phone on vibrate, it would be a good idea to turn that off, so that a phone call won’t ruin your photo.

5. Bring a power bank. Batteries drain faster in cold weather. To save power, it is also smart to close all other apps.

7. Make aurora part of your image, not the only thing in it

People often aim their camera towards the sky. Aurora is beautiful, so that's understandable. But you need more to create the right feeling in your image.

The picturesque landscape in Northern Norway is the perfect motif! Place a mountain in the background. Add a beach or a bonfire in the foreground. Then last, but not least, leave room for aurora at the top – and wait patiently for her show. The best lens to use when photographing the northern lights is therefore a wide-angle lens. Then – voilà – you have your winning shot!

The best time and place

Nature provides the lights, you have the camera, so now we are only missing the action. The best times and places to witness the magic are north of the Arctic Circle in late autumn and winter, as well as early spring (September to late March).

Check the local’s favourite viewpoints by yourself or join a guided tour before picking a spot.

If you want to see the aurora from the sea, book a trip with Hurtigruten. These iconic cruise ships sail directly beneath the auroral oval and even have a northern lights alarm to make sure you don’t miss the magic – even if you are sound asleep when aurora decides to go dancing!

Plan your trip with Hurtigruten

Capture the polar night light too

In the northernmost part of Norway, the polar night is characteristic of the winter months. The contrast between night and day gets blurred as weeks go by without the sun ever rising above the horizon. Perfect if you’re chasing aurora, as sunlight won’t obscure the northern lights.

But the polar night doesn’t mean you’re stuck without a glimmer of light during the day. Unless you visit the Svalbard islands, that is, where it is pitch black for a few weeks mid-winter. In the northern parts of the mainland, it's just a different kind of light. On clear days, you can see beautiful sunset colours in the south, and a deep blue tint in the north.

During the 'blue hour' at twilight, the landscape is covered in what seems like a thin, blue veil. This can actually last for more than an hour and creates a unique atmosphere. It’s dark, yet not completely. It’s cold, yet the glow of lights from all the houses makes it warm and cosy. Definitely worth capturing with a camera!