Camera settings for aurora borealis
Think how hard it is to capture the Northern Lights? The Northern Lights setting requires precise adjustments and preparation for that perfect shot. So, how can we adjust our camera settings in order to get those remarkable details as well as the beautiful colors in our photos of nature at its best?
This article will give you the essential setup, preperation and execution tips for your camera. How you can extract more clarity, contrast, and glow from your photos. Well, be ready to unveil the mysteries of capturing one of natures most alluring performance!
Key Takeaways
| Tips | Description |
|---|---|
| Aperture | Go with an aperture f/2.8 to f/4 to let in more light (or you can use a large amount of natural light). |
| ISO | I am using ISO 1600 but it should be adjusted depending on the brightness of lights surrounding. |
| Shutter Speed | 10-30 seconds for The Flow Of Aurora |
| Focus | Focus on the star, manually to keep auroras sharp |
| Lens | While a wider view would be preferable, you can employ a wide-angle zoom lens with 14mm to 24mm range. |
Best Camera Settings for Aurora Borealis Photography
Aperture
Sometimes, the Northern Lights are so faint and meek that you can hardly even notice them. Nevertheless, other times they glow like strong fluorescent lamps. A wide-open aperture, anywhere from f/2.8 to f/4 will let as much light into your sensor so that auroras show up a lot brighter in your photos. The lower the f-stop, the more light is allowed in to the camera which helps enables you to get better exposure in low light.
ISO
ISO – 1600 (based on my personal belief) If the light is unfavourable (dim or there is less ambient light) increase to ISO 3200 or more. Beware that a higher ISO can add noise to your photos. For ISO use the amount depends on how bright it is but you should always adjust to balance exposure with as minimal noise.
“When in doubt, use an ISO that allows the most amount of light without giving you noise.” – Ansel Adams
Shutter Speed
Without a long exposure, we could not have caught the beautiful auroras dancing. Adjust the shutter speed to 10–30 seconds. If you desire a longer gap between the Aurora apparitions, shoot for shutter speeds even shorter (5-10seconds) will make more of the movements in the auroras appear dynamically frozen; while slow down your speed (20-30 seconds) and let those dreamy lines mute together!
| Shutter Speed Settings | Effects |
|---|---|
| 5 to 10 seconds | Crisp and defined aurora movements |
| 15 to 20 seconds | Slightly blurred, ethereal lights |
| 25 to 30 seconds | Long, smooth light trails |
Equipment Essentials
Lens Choice
Bring a lens with a 14-24mm focal length for this effect using a wide-angle lens. With a wide-angle lens, not only can more sky be seen but the auroras are in full magnificent display.
- Focal Length: Aiming for 14mm to include as much sky in the frame
- Lens Speed: A faster lens is able to perform in low-light situations. (like an f/2.8 or faster)
Tripod
Always use a sturdy tripod. Stability is crucial when using long exposure settings to avoid any shake or blurriness.
Focusing for the Best Results
One of the trickiest aspects of night photography is focusing. For aurora borealis photography:
- Manual Focus: Set your lens to manual focus mode.
- Focusing on Distant Lights: Find a bright distant object, such as a star, and focus on it. This ensures that your lens is set to infinity and your images come out sharp.
| Focus Tips | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Autofocus | Often fails in low-light; use manual focus |
| Infinity focus | Use Live View to zoom in and focus on a star |
Advanced Tips for Capturing Aurora Borealis
- White Balance Settings: I would recommend to leave your white balance on auto but in case you want to set it up manually I would suggest something like 3500K since cooler temperatures can make the auroras look much better with vivid greens and nice purples.
- Shoot in RAW: ALWAYS shoot raw to get all data from the scene. This will give you some flexibility in terms of color and exposure adjustments in post.
- Timelapse Photography: Another thing to consider is that the Aurora Borealis can change very quickly. This can yield some beautiful results that help relay the moving of scratches due to time as light hastens to counter it. Get your interval timer to shoot a still every 5–10 seconds and watch the sky twirl through your frames.
Conclusion
Shooting the Northern Lights is no easy task, but the right camera settings and in advance. it is possible to produce a stunning image of this phenomenon. With the right aperture, ISO and shutter speed settings along with a wide angle lens and manual focus your Northern Light photos will pop.
Get out there and enjoy these features that can bring you one step closer to your next adventure in aurora photography! And of course you will not want to miss an opportunity to immortalize this beautiful phenomenon in your portfolio.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. What camera is best for photographing the Aurora Borealis?
It is capable of working with virtually an DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual setting capabilities Opt for a camera with great low-light capabilities, and the ability to manually set aperture, ISO, and shutter speed.
- 2. Can I photograph the Northern Lights with a smartphone?
While it is true that some modern smartphones have screens with advanced camera technology, the results are not nearly as good as those of a DSLR or mirrorless camera. A solution to that is Apps those offer full manual control of ISO, Shutter speed and focusing.
- 3. What’s the ideal time to photograph the Aurora Borealis?
The Northern Lights can most often be observed in the winter months — from September through to March, over the upper polar latitudes of both hemisphere. For the greatest result to be realized, the sky must be clear and one must also make sure that there is a minimum level of light pollution.
- 4. Can I use auto settings for Aurora Borealis photography?
In general, auto is not going to cut it when you are shooting auroras. Accordingly, if you shoot in ‘Auto‘ the camera will expose for the darkness and possibly push too far to compensate, when you really what exposure should be controlled manually exposing for the auroras.
- 5. How can I reduce noise in my aurora photos?
Shoot at the lowest ISO will give you less noise, while shooting in RAW format would enable you to use DeNoise software. You can also do noise reduction in post-production with any editing software.
