You don't need to be a professional to come home with jaw-dropping aurora photos. With a few key settings and a steady support, both cameras and modern phones can capture the Northern Lights beautifully. Here's how.
Camera settings for the aurora
Switch to full manual mode and start here, then adjust:
- Aperture: as wide as your lens goes — f/1.8 to f/2.8.
- ISO: 1600–3200 (start at 1600 and raise if the image is dark).
- Shutter speed: 4–15 seconds — longer for a faint, slow aurora; shorter (4–6s) for a fast, active display so it doesn't blur.
- Focus: manual, set to infinity. Autofocus fails in the dark — focus on a bright star using live view, then leave it.
- Format: shoot RAW if you can, for the best editing latitude.
Shooting the aurora on a phone
Modern iPhones (Night mode) and Samsung/Google phones (Pro or Night mode) capture excellent aurora shots. Rest the phone on something solid or use a small tripod, set the timer to avoid shake, and let the long exposure run.
Essential gear
- A sturdy tripod — non-negotiable for long exposures.
- A wide-angle lens (14–24mm on full frame).
- Spare batteries kept warm in an inner pocket — cold drains them fast.
- A remote or your camera's 2-second timer to avoid camera shake.
Composition tips
Include foreground — snowy trees, a frozen lake, a person silhouette — to give the aurora scale and drama. When the lights reflect off a frozen lake, you get a mirror effect that guests describe as the most beautiful thing they've ever seen.
Get help in the field
On our Northern Lights tours, your guide helps set up your camera or phone on the spot, so you leave with images you're proud of. For timing, pair this with our best time to see the aurora guide.