Taking pictures of the northern lights for the first time can be confusing and daunting, especially if it is not something you have done before.
I remember when I first tried to do this I was looking online for informtaion to help and the correct settings for my camera. This proved difficult as I soon realised there are many factors that can affect this.
So I wanted to write this blog to help anyone looking to take pictures of the northern lights for the first time.
One thing I do recommend is that you practice taking pictures before you go out for northern lights.
Locations and what to look for:
The first thing required is the northern lights them selves, which can only be seen at night.
Advice on looking for the Northern lights by yourself:
The best time to see the northern lights is the beginning and end of the season, September and March respectively, the northern lights months are from September to March. Although end of September and beginning of March is probably best.
The northern lights do not always look green, they can look like grey clouds when:
Initially forming
If they are weak
If there is a lot of light pollution
Go to see them somewhere with as little light pollution as possible.
The clearer the skies the better, ideally completely clear skies is what you are looking for.
Try not to look at artificial light while looking out for the northern lights, as your eyes take time to adjust to darkness, some people say 20 minutes.
Locations of places where we have seen the northern lights or where it would be dark enough to see.
Tromso - Norway
Close to city, we were able to see the lights easily here, and if strong you could get reflections on the water: https://goo.gl/maps/4JDg1uG9gcu6gDvm7
Beautiful sea side town with great view from above: https://goo.gl/maps/vQ6JsxU3jMj1QLM39
There is a small area to stop your car and wait for the lights here, another place to see the reflection of the lights on the water:https://goo.gl/maps/kJpLogwGmfrb5A8W8
Iceland
Keflavik: https://goo.gl/maps/zZZSbRYaKfCAc3a16
Grindavíkurvegur: https://goo.gl/maps/8HtRcBS5qZJJ7c9GA
Close to Keflavik: https://goo.gl/maps/dSKiS7LJffod49dU6
Grótta Island Lighthouse (Reykjavík): https://goo.gl/maps/nN17bCc8kmUdkBFX8
Airbnb location,https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/6999342?source_impression_id=p3_1578182514_EuRNZujk4adcjgb0 , bear in mind you must have rented the place first : https://goo.gl/maps/za1YVAcwASC9j4Vv9
Camera Setup:
Focusing:
Before taking a picture on your DSLR ensure you get your picture in focus.
There are a couple of ways to do this:
Focus on a star or shine a red Iight in the distance and then use the auto AF functionality to focus on it. Once you have used auto AF to get focus set the lens and camera to only manually focus and don’t touch the focus ring again. You could tape it or mark it so you know how to easily get back to the focus point.
The other method is to go to infinity ♾ using the focus ring while the camera and lens are in manual focus mode and then move slightly back to the the right of infinity.
Once this is done I would take a test shot to ensure the photo is in focus.
iPhone 11 Pro
Camera settings:
The above picture was taken on an iPhone 11 Pro using a mini tripod
I also used the iPhone’s night mode and set it to 30s
Accessories:
Manfrotto Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp Black
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0169SORBO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_TjjdEb054C27Q
Nikon D60
Camera settings:
Aperture: f2.8
Shutter speed: 15s
ISO: 1600
Tripod:
Camlink TP1700 Camera Camcorder Tripod https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000TCLD1Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_emjdEbPY41Y7G
Lens:
17-55mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor
Where I buy my lenses:
https://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/products/secondhand.php?cat1=2&pg=1#str-ContentStart
Accessories:
Nikon ML-L3 Remote Control https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00007EDZG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_XIjdEb7J82FFN
Nikon D500
Camera settings:
Aperture: f2.8
Shutter speed: 15s
ISO: 6400
Tripod:
TP1700 Camera Camcorder Tripod https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000TCLD1Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_emjdEbPY41Y7G
Lens:
17-55mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor
Where I buy my lenses:
https://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/products/secondhand.php?cat1=2&pg=1#str-ContentStart
Accessories:
Pixel Remote Shutter Release Cable MC-30 / DC0 Shutter Cable Release for Nikon D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D800 D700 D500 D300 D200 N90s F5 F6 F100 F90 F90X https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01CJ7UHKO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_MJjdEbZXK62N6
Nikon Z6
Camera settings:
Aperture: f2.8
Shutter speed: 5s
ISO: 1600
Lens:
14-24mm f/2.8G AF-S IF-ED Zoom-Nikkor
Where I buy my lenses:
https://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/products/secondhand.php?cat1=2&pg=1#str-ContentStart
Tripod:
Manfrotto Aluminium 3 Section Tripod with XPRO Ball Head + 200PL plate https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B011Z7B1T0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_3ijdEbG5WCHR1
Accessories:
Stone Bag: Vanguard SB-100 Universal Stone Bag for all Vanguard Tripods Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0051OGJQE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_vkjdEbXTQYWAY
Remote Shutter Release: https://www.nikon.co.uk/en_GB/product/accessories/slr/slr-connectivity/remote-control/remote-cord-mc-dc2