How To Photograph the Aurora with Long Exposure

Photographing the Aurora Borealis, commonly known as the Northern Lights, is a dream for many photographers. The dazzling colors dancing in the night sky are both mesmerizing and elusive, making it a challenging yet rewarding subject for long exposure photography. Capturing the Aurora in all its natural beauty requires the right techniques, equipment, and understanding of the unique conditions that affect the lights. In this article, we'll dive deep into how to photograph the aurora with long exposure, covering everything from preparation to post-processing.

Understanding the Aurora

Before we get into the technical aspects of photography, it's important to understand what the Aurora is and why it behaves the way it does. The Aurora Borealis is caused by solar particles colliding with Earth's atmosphere, particularly near the magnetic poles. When these charged particles interact with gases like oxygen and nitrogen, they emit light, creating the colorful displays that we see.

The Aurora's colors can range from green and yellow to red, purple, and blue, depending on the type of gas and altitude at which the interaction occurs. The intensity of the aurora can vary, influenced by solar activity and the Earth's geomagnetic field. This variability is one of the reasons why capturing the perfect aurora photograph can be so challenging. Sometimes, the aurora is faint, and other times, it can light up the entire sky.

Preparing for the Shoot

1. Choose the Right Location

The first step to successfully photographing the Aurora is choosing the right location. The Aurora Borealis is best viewed in areas located within or near the Arctic Circle, such as Norway, Iceland, Canada, Alaska, and parts of Finland and Sweden. The further north you go, the better your chances of seeing the aurora.

Look for places that are free from light pollution. Even small amounts of artificial lighting can affect the exposure and overall quality of the aurora photos. Consider choosing locations that are far from city lights or use light pollution maps to ensure that you are in a dark area.

2. Check the Aurora Forecast

The Aurora Borealis is not a constant phenomenon. It's influenced by solar activity, which fluctuates on an 11-year cycle. Luckily, there are websites and apps available that offer real-time aurora forecasts, such as the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center or the Aurora Forecast app. These forecasts can give you an idea of when the aurora is most likely to appear, although the timing is still unpredictable.

Solar storms, especially coronal mass ejections (CMEs), can significantly enhance the aurora displays. If you're lucky enough to be in an area during a solar storm, the aurora may appear brighter, more vivid, and spread across a wider area of the sky.

3. Plan for the Weather

Clear skies are essential for photographing the aurora, so it's critical to check the weather forecast before heading out. Snowstorms or cloud cover can obscure the lights and ruin your chances of capturing a good shot. However, even when it's clear, the temperature can be freezing, so make sure you dress warmly in layers, bringing extra gear to protect both yourself and your equipment from the cold.

4. Timing and Season

The aurora is most visible during the winter months in the northern hemisphere, from late September to early April, when the nights are long and dark. The best time to photograph the aurora is typically around midnight, although it can appear at any time during the night. Be prepared for late nights or even all-nighters if you want to catch the aurora at its peak.

Choosing the Right Equipment

1. Camera

A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual control is essential for photographing the Aurora with long exposure. The camera should have the ability to adjust settings such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

Full-frame cameras are preferred for low-light conditions, but crop-sensor cameras can also do an excellent job when paired with a fast lens. Cameras like the Canon EOS R5, Nikon D850, or Sony A7 III are great options, but most professional cameras can handle the task as long as they allow full manual control.

2. Lenses

The lens is one of the most important factors in aurora photography. To capture the northern lights, you need a wide-angle lens with a large aperture. A f/2.8 or wider lens is ideal to gather as much light as possible in dark conditions. A 14mm to 24mm lens is a common choice, with focal lengths in the 16mm to 20mm range being optimal for capturing a wide portion of the sky.

A fast lens will allow you to use faster shutter speeds, which is especially helpful if the aurora is moving quickly across the sky. If you only have access to slower lenses, you'll need to use longer exposure times.

3. Tripod

Since you'll be using long exposure times, a sturdy tripod is essential. Any movement during the exposure can cause blurring and ruin the shot. Look for a tripod that is lightweight enough for travel but sturdy enough to withstand wind or other elements that might affect your stability.

4. Remote Shutter Release or Timer

Using a remote shutter release or the camera's built-in timer is crucial to avoid camera shake when pressing the shutter button. Even the slightest movement can cause a blurry image, so it's best to trigger the camera remotely or set a timer for several seconds.

5. Extra Batteries and Memory Cards

The cold temperatures can drain your camera's battery quickly, so always carry extra batteries. It's also a good idea to bring spare memory cards to ensure you have enough space to store all your photos.

Camera Settings for Long Exposure Aurora Photography

1. Aperture

For long exposure aurora photography, you want to use a wide aperture (low f-number) to allow as much light as possible into the camera. An aperture of f/2.8 is ideal, but you can go as wide as f/1.4 if your lens allows. The wider the aperture, the more light you can capture, and the faster your shutter speed can be.

2. Shutter Speed

The key to capturing the aurora with long exposure is to balance the shutter speed . A typical shutter speed range for aurora photography is between 10 and 30 seconds. If the aurora is very bright and still, you can go with a shorter exposure time. If the aurora is dim or moving quickly, you may need a longer exposure.

The key is to avoid overexposing the image or allowing the aurora to become too blurry. If you use a shutter speed that's too long, the lights will blur as they move across the sky.

3. ISO

Your ISO setting depends on the brightness of the aurora and the available ambient light. A good starting point is an ISO of 800 to 1600. If the aurora is faint, you may need to increase the ISO, but keep in mind that higher ISO values can introduce more noise into your images. Find a balance between capturing enough light and maintaining image quality.

4. Focus

Manually focusing your lens is critical for aurora photography. Autofocus usually doesn't work well in low light, so switch to manual focus. Focus your lens to infinity, and adjust slightly if necessary. You can use a bright star or distant light to help with focusing.

5. White Balance

Set your white balance to auto or incandescent. The natural colors of the aurora should come through without any drastic color shifts, but you can adjust the white balance in post-processing if needed.

Capturing the Aurora

Now that your gear is set up, it's time to start shooting. Here are some additional tips to help you capture the best aurora photos:

1. Compose Your Shot: A wide-angle shot with a foreground element (like mountains, trees, or a lake) can add depth and interest to your aurora photographs. Try different compositions to create dynamic images.
2. Experiment with Exposure: Start with a 15-20 second exposure, adjust the shutter speed based on the aurora's intensity, and check the image after each shot. If the aurora is too bright or the stars are trailing, shorten your exposure. If it's too dark, try a longer exposure.
3. Keep an Eye on the Aurora's Movement: The aurora can change rapidly, with waves or ripples of color shifting across the sky. Take multiple shots to capture the different phases of the aurora's display.

Post-Processing Aurora Photos

Once you've captured your images, the final step is post-processing. Most aurora images can benefit from a bit of editing to enhance colors, contrast, and sharpness. Here are some post-processing tips:

1. Increase Contrast and Clarity: The aurora is best seen with high contrast, which makes the colors pop. Use the contrast and clarity sliders in editing software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop to enhance the details.
2. Adjust the White Balance: If your image appears too warm or cool, adjust the white balance to get the colors to look more natural.
3. Reduce Noise: At higher ISO settings, you may notice noise in your image. Use noise reduction tools to minimize grain while preserving the sharpness of your photo.
4. Enhance the Aurora: You can use the brush tool or the radial filter to selectively enhance the brightness and saturation of the aurora. Be careful not to overdo it, as it can make the image look unrealistic.

Conclusion

Photographing the Aurora Borealis with long exposure is a challenging yet incredibly rewarding experience. By understanding the science behind the aurora, preparing thoroughly, and mastering the technical aspects of photography, you can capture stunning images of this natural wonder.

Remember that patience is key---sometimes, the aurora may not appear as expected, but persistence and practice will help you refine your skills and increase your chances of getting the perfect shot. Happy shooting!

View Product