How to photograph the northern lights

A quick guide to photographing the northern lights during your stay in Tromsø. If seeing the aurora is one of the reasons you are visiting, you will probably want to capture a few photos along the way.

Some northern lights tours include photography or photography assistance, but if you would like to photograph the northern lights yourself, here are a few useful tips to help you get started.

Happy photographing!

What to do

1. Set your camera to manual mode (M).

2. Switch to manual focus and focus on a distant light or star. Infinity can be a useful starting point, but check that your image is sharp and adjust the focus if needed.

3. Start with an ISO of around 1600–3200. If the northern lights are particularly bright, or there is plenty of light from the moon or snow, a lower ISO may be enough.

4. Set the aperture as wide as your lens allows by choosing a low f-number, for example f/1.8, f/2.8 or f/4.

5. Adjust the shutter speed according to the brightness and movement of the northern lights. Around 5–15 seconds can be a useful starting point. Faster-moving aurora may require a shorter exposure, while a faint or slow-moving display may require a longer one.

6. Use a tripod or place your camera on a steady surface. Use the self-timer or a remote shutter release to reduce camera movement when taking the photo.

7. Be prepared. Familiarise yourself with your camera settings before heading out so you are ready when the northern lights appear.