[hanomantoto]

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are caused by solar-charged particles colliding with Earth’s magnetic field, igniting a phenomenal celestial show in the sky. Watching the stunning hues of blue, green, violet, pink, yellow, and red dance in the pollution-free sky is always a feast for the eyes. 

Can we immortalize the views with our devices? Do we need special equipment to capture the sparkling nature of this astronomical event? 

Read on to learn more about how to photograph the Northern Lights and the best camera settings to perfect the pictures from various sources. 

Tips for Photographing the Northern Lights 

As part of the Nordic countries within the Arctic Circle, Canada is perhaps one of the most favorable destinations to witness the grandeur displays of the Northern Lights. The closer proximity to the North Magnetic Pole and the lack of light contribute to the best viewing experience of the natural wonder. 

The Canadian Train Vacation suggests seeing the Northern Lights in Canada between late August and April when the nights are longer and darker. The cold weather hints at a higher chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis as the cold air holds less moisture. 

A tripod is the first and foremost equipment to pack for your trip to catch the dramatic backdrop. As the light show dances across the dark nights, the photographs require great stability. 

Other than the tripod, here are the camera and phone settings needed: 

DSLR/Camera Settings for Photographing the Northern Lights 

  • Use the manual mode or manual focus and avoid the automatic mode.

  • Set the focus to infinity.

  • Choose a slow shutter speed between 10-25 seconds.

  • Use f/2.8 or the lowest aperture on your camera to ensure the Northern Lights are in focus.

  • Set ISO values from 800 to above 6000.

Phone Camera Settings for Photographing the Northern Lights 

If your smartphone supports a “night mode” feature, combine the following tips to warrant great photographs of the Northern Lights: 

  • Select the primary lens and avoid the super wide lens.

  • Use a tripod for more stable outputs.

  • Aim to shoot in raw and edit later.

  • Turn off any flash.

Photographing the Northern Lights is a truly rewarding experience that allows you to preserve the magic of this natural wonder. Whether you’re an amateur with a smartphone or a photography enthusiast with a DSLR, following these tips will help you capture breathtaking images of this celestial show.

Editor’s Choice: 5 Best Places to See Northern Lights in Canada, Celestial Show

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