How to Photograph the Northern Lights

How to Photograph the Northern Lights – A Practical Guide

Photographing the Northern Lights is on the bucket list of many photographers. This magical natural phenomenon illuminates the night sky with breathtaking shades of green, red, pink, and purple. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to capture the Aurora Borealis at its best—from the right equipment and camera settings to useful tips and the best locations. Grab your camera and get ready for an unforgettable experience!

What Are the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are a natural phenomenon caused by the interaction between charged particles from the sun and the Earth's magnetic field. When these particles enter the atmosphere, they create spectacular displays of green, pink, purple, and sometimes even red light.

It helps to understand how the Northern Lights are formed, as this makes it possible to monitor and even predict them. It all begins when the sun releases a stream of charged particles into space, known as the solar wind. This solar wind takes approximately one to four days to reach Earth. When it encounters the Earth's magnetic field, the particles are redirected. Near the North and South Poles, they interact with oxygen and nitrogen atoms in the atmosphere, producing light in various colors. This is what we know as the Northern Lights, Southern Lights, or auroras.

Where Can You See the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights are most visible in regions close to the Arctic Circle, such as:

• Scandinavia
• Iceland
• Alaska
• Canada

These areas offer long, dark nights and minimal light pollution, creating ideal viewing conditions.

The Northern Lights in the Netherlands

During periods of increased solar activity, the Northern Lights can occasionally be visible in the Netherlands. During active solar cycles, auroras can be seen much farther south than usual, particularly in the northern parts of the country, such as Friesland, Groningen, and the Wadden Islands, where light pollution is limited.

Keep an eye on apps such as Aurora Forecast and websites like SpaceWeather.com for real-time aurora alerts. On a clear night with low humidity and little light pollution, you may be lucky enough to witness this phenomenon close to home.

The Northern Lights in Belgium

In recent years, the Northern Lights have occasionally been spotted in Belgium, particularly during strong geomagnetic storms. However, sightings remain relatively rare.

What Equipment Do You Need for Northern Lights Photography?

To capture the Northern Lights effectively, the right equipment is essential.

For Professional Photographers

• Canon EOS R6 Mark II + RF 15-35mm F/2.8L IS USM

For Enthusiast Photographers

• Fujifilm X-T5 + XF 16-55mm F/2.8

For Beginners

• Sony A6700 + 35mm F/1.8

Since you may spend a long time waiting for the aurora to appear, a sturdy tripod is highly recommended:

• Sirui Traveller T-2004XL + E-20 Ball Head
• Rollei C6i Carbon
• Manfrotto Befree Advanced AS Twist Carbon

A night-sky filter can also help improve your results, such as the Hoya Starscape filter (available in various sizes).

Camera Settings for Northern Lights Photography

The right camera settings are crucial for capturing the colors and details of the aurora.

• ISO: Set your ISO between 800 and 3200, depending on the brightness of the aurora and your camera's low-light performance. Higher ISO values increase sensitivity but can also introduce more noise.
• Aperture: Use a wide aperture, such as f/2.8 or wider, to let in as much light as possible.
• Shutter Speed: Start with a shutter speed between 5 and 20 seconds: Shorter exposures work well for fast-moving auroras. Longer exposures create softer, flowing light trails.
• Focus: Focus manually on infinity or on a bright star. Use Live View and zoom in to ensure precise focus.
• RAW Format: Always shoot in RAW. RAW files preserve more image data and provide greater flexibility for editing exposure, color, and noise reduction later.

Take a few test shots and check your histogram to ensure proper exposure.

Photographing the Northern Lights with a Smartphone

While smartphones cannot match the image quality of professional cameras, you can still achieve impressive results with the right preparation.

• Use a Tripod: A small tripod or smartphone holder helps prevent camera shake during long exposures.
• Download Aurora Apps: Apps such as Aurora Forecast and My Aurora Forecast can help you track aurora activity and determine the best viewing times.
• Use Manual Settings: Choose a camera app that allows manual control: ISO: 800–1600 and shutter Speed: 10–20 seconds.
• Focus Carefully: Disable autofocus and manually focus on a distant light source or a bright star.

Keep in mind that smartphones are less sensitive to light than dedicated cameras, so choosing a dark location is especially important.

Tips for Northern Lights Photography

Capturing the Northern Lights is not only about technical settings but also about creating a visually appealing composition. Here are some tips to take your photos to the next level:

• Use a foreground: Add interesting elements such as a snow-covered tree, a mountain range, or a rustic cabin. This gives your photo depth and tells a story.
• Experiment with reflections: Look for bodies of water to reflect the colours of the Northern Lights and create a double light show.
• Leading lines: Use natural lines, such as a path or river, to guide the viewer’s eye towards the aurora.
• Play with long shutter speeds: Try different shutter speeds to capture the Northern Lights as soft streaks of light or as clear shapes and patterns.
• Pay attention to the horizon: Make sure your horizon is straight and use the rule of thirds to keep your composition balanced.

Good preparation is also essential for successfully photographing the Northern Lights. Here are some practical tips to make your experience smoother and more successful:

• Watch the weather: Choose a clear night without clouds. Check weather forecasts and aurora activity.
• Avoid light pollution: Find a remote location far away from city lights. The darker the surroundings, the better you can see and capture the Northern Lights.
• Plan ahead: Make sure your equipment is ready before arriving on location. Set up your camera settings and tripod in advance to save valuable time.

With these tips, you'll be well prepared for a successful Northern Lights photography experience, whether you're in Lapland or at a dark location in the Netherlands.

Editing your Northern Lights photos

The magic of Northern Lights photography often truly comes to life during post-processing. With subtle adjustments, you can make the colours and details of your photos shine. Here are some editing tips:

• Exposure and contrast: Adjust the exposure to bring out the details in the aurora. Increase contrast to make the colours stand out more.
• Colour correction: Use the saturation and tint sliders to enhance the green, purple, and pink colours of the aurora without making them look unnatural.
• Noise reduction: High ISO values can introduce noise. Use software such as Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop to reduce noise without losing detail.
• Sharpness and detail: Increase the sharpness of your image to emphasise the textures and shapes of the aurora.
• Local adjustments: Use an adjustment brush to brighten or darken specific areas of the image and create more depth.

With these post-processing techniques, you can ensure your Northern Lights photos look just as impressive as the moment you captured them.

Are you going out to photograph the Northern Lights too?

Photographing the Northern Lights is an incredibly enjoyable experience that requires patience, preparation, and a little bit of luck. Whether you travel north or take advantage of the rare opportunity to see the aurora in the Netherlands, you can capture stunning images.

Share your results

Have you taken a beautiful photo of the Northern Lights? Share your photo with us on Instagram! Use the hashtag #KameraExpress or tag Kamera Express in your post. And don’t forget to follow us for plenty of inspiration.