How to photograph the northern lights

The mesmerising colours of the northern lights that flicker across the Arctic sky is a special sight to witness. Watch it from a mountainside or the seashore, through the glass roof of a warm and comfy igloo, or get a front-row seat at the observation deck on one of the Norwegian coastal express Hurtigruten’s ships as it sails under the auroral oval. And you brought your camera, right?

Learn how to take pictures of the northern lights

When the light show brightens up the sky, the moment is definitely worth freezing. The 27-year-old photographer Christian Hoiberg has loads of experience with eternalising aurora’s fleeting beauty in images.

“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 the lights

No, not the northern lights, but the city lights. If you stand too close to them, 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, don’t use a flash when you take your pictures.

2. Pay attention to forecasts

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 warm 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, right? Again, it might be wise to join a guided northern lights trip – the guides always have first-hand knowledge of the local weather conditions.

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

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.

Northern lights over Tromsø.
Photo: Truls Tiller

Northern lights over Lofoten.
Photo: Alex Conu / Visitnorway.com

Northern lights with Hurtigruten.
Photo: Hege Abrahamsen

Northern lights over Gildeskål.
Photo: Petter Formo / www.nordnorge.com/gildeskaal

Green and violet Northern Lights over the arctic city of Tromsø in Northern Norway

Green northern lights over an empty beach at Fredvang on the Lofoten islands in Northern Norway

The northern lights dancing across the Arctic sky as Hurtigruten sails below in Northern Norway

A person standing on a picknick table below green and violet northern lights at Gildeskål in Nordland, Northern Norway

3. You’re in the Arctic – wear warm clothes

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

4. Keep the camera steady

You might call blurry images 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 hood of a car or something else to keep the camera still. 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 it is dark. Worst case scenario, aurora won’t be in your photo at all!

The right camera settings for photographing northern lights vary with time and place, and from camera to camera. Still, manual settings are always the best. They allow you to adjust focus, shutter speed, ISO, and aperture. A great 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 on the side.

Manual camera settings for northern lights photography

Shutter speed
The amount of time your shutter is open and adding light to your image. Longer shutter 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 15 seconds shutter speed. Keep in mind that if the aurora is very active (i.e. dances 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.

Read more about camera settings Show Less

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. Or maybe your phone has artificial intelligence to help you get good images at night?

The best conditions for photographing the northern lights with your phone is 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.

The best conditions for photographing the northern lights with your phone is a bright moon and an aurora with colours so strong that she almost knocks you off your feet.

How to take pictures of northern lights with iPhone or Android

1. Do not use a flash.

2. Use manual focus.

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

Take northern lights pictures with your smartphone Show Less

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

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

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

Northern lights over the Buksnesfjord in Vesterålen, Northern Norway

Northern lights in Vesterålen.
Photo: Jens Andre M. Birkeland