How to: Take Aurora Photos

As you all know since we live in Alaska we have the privilege of seeing the Aurora Borealis also called the Northern lights pretty often. So we as photographers have the chance of taking pictures of them. Unfortunately, most people have no idea on how to do it! Thankfully its quite easy. So, let’s start.

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1.

First, there are a few things we have to do that are essential for taking these pictures.

• Set your camera to Manuel Mode.
• Set your lens to Manuel Focus.
• Turn off Image Stabilization. (Typically next to your MF and AF button.)
• Turn flash off if you have to.

2.

Set your ISO to 1600 to start out.

3.

Set your Aperture to the lowest setting possible at all times.

4.

Set your shutter speed to 20s to start out. A good way to determine the shutter speed is longer if lights are dim and shorter if lights are bright.

5.

Use a tripod. This is essential.

6.

Zoom out all the way. Normally you want to get as much of the lights in as possible. But this is not essential.

7.

Focus to infinity. (This symbol on your focus ring: ∞) Make sure you’re in Manuel Focus (MF), Auto Focus (AF) is useless at night. Infinity is often not at infinity, so you’ll have to test it to make it perfect.

8.

You need to make sure that when you press the shutter button you don’t shake the camera. How do you do this? Well, there are a number of options.

• Use a remote control.
• Use the self-timer.

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Now you’re done! It’s as simple as that. I pretty sure you’ll be able to get some great pictures of the Northern Lights now. But before we’re done, there are just a few more things you have to know.

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Notes:

Replacement Batteries

This is a very important thing you have to remember. Because it gets so cold in Alaska, it sucks the life out of your cameras so you need a few extra batteries.

Grainy Pictures

Are you pictures grainy from using such a high ISO? Well if the northern lights are particularly bright, then you can lower your ISO to 800.

Check the Aurora Forcast

How do you know when the Aurora is happening? By checking the forecast! Here is my favorite website: NOAA Aurora Forcast.

Recommended Website

For further reading, this website has a great post on it: 500px-Northern Lights Photo Tutorial.

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Thank you for reading this post and I hope you have gained knowledge of how to take Aurora pictures.