At a Glance
Quick OverviewCapturing the Northern Lights on camera ranks amongst photography’s most rewarding challenges. The swirling curtains of green, purple, and pink that dance across the Arctic sky can produce extraordinary images—but only if you know how to photograph them. With the right settings, equipment, and techniques, you can bring home stunning aurora photos that capture the magic of this natural phenomenon.
According to Visit Norway, the key to successful aurora photography is using manual settings: “Use manual settings if you have them to adjust focus, shutter speed, ISO, and aperture, as automatic settings won’t perform well in darkness.”
Essential Camera Settings for Northern Lights
The Starting Point
According to Visit Norway, these settings provide an excellent starting point for aurora photography:
| Setting | Recommended Value | Adjustment Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aperture | f/2.8 | Use lowest f-number your lens allows |
| ISO | 1600 | Increase to 3200 in very dark conditions |
| Shutter Speed | 15 seconds | Decrease for fast-moving aurora |
These settings work well in most conditions, but you’ll need to adjust based on aurora brightness and movement.
Understanding Each Setting
Aperture (f-stop)
Aperture controls how much light enters your lens. For Northern Lights photography, you want the widest aperture possible—represented by the smallest f-number.
Ideal range: f/1.4 to f/2.8
According to Visit Norway, “use the smallest f-number available on your lens (f/1.4–f/4) to maximise light intake.” A lens with f/2.8 or wider is considered ideal for aurora photography. You can still capture auroras at f/4, but you’ll need to compensate with higher ISO or longer exposures.
ISO (Light Sensitivity)
ISO determines your camera sensor’s sensitivity to light. Higher ISO captures more light but introduces digital noise (grain).
Ideal range: 1600–6400
Start at ISO 1600 and increase if your images are too dark. According to Visit Norway, “between 800–3200 ISO works best, depending on moonlight and other ambient light sources.” With modern cameras, ISO 3200 or even 6400 produces acceptable results with minimal noise.
Adjustment factors:
- Bright aurora: Lower ISO (800-1600)
- Faint aurora: Higher ISO (3200-6400)
- Full moon: Lower ISO (800-1600)
- New moon: Higher ISO (2000-3200)
Shutter Speed
Shutter speed is the trickiest setting because it changes constantly with aurora activity. The brighter and faster the lights move, the shorter your exposure should be.
Guidelines:
- Bright, fast-moving aurora: 5-10 seconds
- Moderate aurora: 10-15 seconds
- Slow-moving aurora: 15-20 seconds
- Faint aurora: 20-25 seconds
Longer exposures capture more light but blur fast-moving aurora. If the lights are dancing rapidly, use shorter exposures to preserve their movement and structure.
Focus Settings
Autofocus fails in darkness. You must use manual focus for Northern Lights photography.
How to achieve perfect focus:
- Switch to manual focus on your lens
- Find a bright star or distant light
- Zoom in using Live View on your camera’s LCD
- Adjust focus until the star appears as small and sharp as possible
- Take a test shot and zoom in to verify sharpness
- Tape your focus ring to prevent accidental movement
According to Visit Norway, “adjust your manual focus by using a star in the night sky as a marker. Alternatively, set the focus of the lens to infinity”—though infinity marks on modern lenses aren’t always accurate, so visual confirmation is recommended.
Essential Equipment
Camera Requirements
A camera with full manual control is essential. According to Visit Norway, “a camera with manual mode is required for northern lights photography. You must be able to control f-stop, shutter speed, and ISO, each manually.”
Recommended camera types:
- Full-frame mirrorless: Best low-light performance
- Full-frame DSLR: Excellent results, widely available
- APS-C mirrorless/DSLR: Good results with quality lenses
- High-end compact cameras: Some models offer manual control
Lens Selection
Wide-angle lenses with fast apertures produce the best aurora images.
Ideal specifications:
- Focal length: 12-24mm (full-frame equivalent)
- Maximum aperture: f/1.4 to f/2.8
Recommended lenses:
| Lens Type | Focal Length | Max Aperture | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra-wide | 14mm | f/1.8 | Maximum sky coverage |
| Wide-angle | 20mm | f/1.4 | Balance of sky and foreground |
| Standard wide | 24mm | f/1.4 | More foreground detail |
| Zoom | 14-24mm | f/2.8 | Versatility |
Tripod: Non-Negotiable
A tripod is absolutely essential for sharp aurora images. According to Visit Norway, “use a tripod, and your photos are less likely to look like they were taken after a few too many craft beers.”
Tripod recommendations:
- Sturdy construction: Wind and snow require stability
- Ball head: Quick adjustments for changing compositions
- Spike feet option: Better grip on snow and ice
- Low centre of gravity: More stable in wind
No tripod alternatives: If you don’t have a tripod, Visit Norway suggests using “a big rock, the bonnet of a car, or something else to keep your camera steady.” Any stable surface can work in a pinch.
Remote Trigger
A remote shutter release prevents camera shake when taking photos.
Options include:
- Cable release: Simple and reliable
- Wireless remote: More flexibility
- Camera timer: Set 2-5 second delay to eliminate shake
According to Visit Norway, “use the Exposure Delay Mode on your camera. Set a 5-second timer to wait 5 seconds before taking each shot. This will remove any camera shake from pushing the shutter button.”
Cold Weather Accessories
Arctic conditions require special preparation:
- Extra batteries: Cold drains batteries rapidly. Carry at least 2-3 spares and keep them warm in your pockets.
- Large memory cards: RAW files are large; bring multiple high-capacity cards
- Lens wipes: Condensation forms when moving between warm and cold
- Hand warmers: Keep fingers functional for camera adjustments
- Ziplock bags: Place camera inside before entering warm spaces to prevent condensation
Smartphone Photography
Modern smartphones can capture surprisingly good aurora photos. According to Visit Norway, “modern iPhones and Android devices can capture surprisingly good aurora photos using night mode or manual settings.”
Smartphone Settings
For phones with Pro/Manual mode:
- ISO: 1600-3200
- Shutter speed: 10-20 seconds
- Focus: Tap on a distant light or bright star
For phones with only Night Mode:
- Enable Night Mode
- Let the camera determine optimal settings
- Keep extremely still during capture
Smartphone Tips
According to Visit Norway:
- Keep steady: Use a tripod or solid surface—essential for long exposures
- Disable flash: Flash does nothing for aurora photography
- Avoid digital zoom: Zoom degrades image quality
- Shoot RAW: Enables better post-processing
- Bring a power bank: Batteries drain faster in cold weather
Composition Techniques
Include Foreground Interest
The most striking aurora photos include compelling foreground elements:
Norwegian foreground options:
- Traditional red rorbuer (fisherman cabins)
- Snow-covered mountain peaks
- Fjord reflections
- Frozen lakes
- Silhouetted trees
- Historic churches or buildings
- Rock formations
The Rule of Thirds
Position the horizon line on the lower or upper third of your frame, depending on whether the aurora or landscape is more interesting. Generally, allocate more space to whichever element is strongest.
Leading Lines
Use natural lines—shorelines, roads, fences, or mountain ridges—to draw the viewer’s eye through the frame towards the aurora.
Frame the Aurora
Natural frames like trees, rock arches, or building doorways can focus attention on the aurora and add depth to your images.
Location and Timing
Escaping Light Pollution
According to Visit Norway, “if you are too close to the city lights, your photos won’t be that good. Find a good spot away from the city centre.”
Finding dark locations:
- Travel at least 20-30 minutes from cities
- Use light pollution maps to identify dark sky areas
- Consider guided tours that access remote locations
- Arrive before dark to scout compositions
Moon Phase Considerations
The moon significantly affects aurora photography:
New moon / Moon below horizon:
- Darkest skies, brightest aurora appearance
- Best for capturing faint auroras
- More stars visible
- Foreground may need light painting
Full moon:
- Aurora must compete with moonlight
- Natural foreground illumination
- Better smartphone results
- Strong aurora still visible
According to Visit Norway, “a New Moon or the Moon below the horizon offers the most vivid views of the aurora and stars.”
Weather and Aurora Forecasts
Check both forecasts before heading out:
Weather: Clear skies are essential. Use Yr.no, Norway’s official meteorological service, for accurate local forecasts.
Aurora: Monitor the KP index and aurora oval position using apps like Norway Lights or websites like the Norwegian Space Agency.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using Flash
According to Visit Norway, “never use flash when taking your pictures.” Flash cannot illuminate the sky—it only lights nearby objects and ruins the exposure for the aurora.
Forgetting to Check Focus
Focus can shift if you bump the lens. Periodically take test shots and zoom in to verify sharpness throughout your shooting session.
Overprocessing Images
Aurora photos require careful editing, but aggressive processing creates unnatural results. Maintain realistic colours and avoid excessive saturation.
Neglecting the Foreground
A compelling aurora above a boring foreground makes an average photo. Scout locations during daylight to identify interesting compositions.
Giving Up Too Early
The aurora can appear suddenly after hours of waiting, then dance for minutes or hours. According to local guides, patience is the most important photography skill.
Post-Processing Tips
RAW vs. JPEG
Always shoot RAW for maximum editing flexibility. RAW files preserve more highlight and shadow detail, essential for night photography.
Basic Adjustments
Typical aurora photo workflow:
- Correct white balance (aurora should appear green, not yellow)
- Reduce noise (use dedicated noise reduction tools)
- Adjust exposure if needed
- Increase clarity slightly for star definition
- Fine-tune highlights and shadows
- Crop for composition
Colour Accuracy
Resist the temptation to over-saturate. The Northern Lights are naturally vivid—excessive editing creates obviously processed images.
Joining Photography Tours
For the best results, consider a specialised photography tour. According to Visit Norway, “your chances of getting the perfect Instagram pic can increase considerably if you join a local northern lights guide who knows the best lookout spots.”
Photography tour advantages:
- Access to prime locations away from crowds
- Professional guidance on settings and techniques
- Transport and logistics handled
- Insider knowledge of weather patterns
- Longer stops for composition and shooting
Equipment Checklist
Camera gear:
- Camera with manual controls
- Wide-angle lens (f/2.8 or faster)
- Sturdy tripod
- Remote shutter release or cable
- Extra batteries (3-4 minimum)
- Multiple memory cards
- Lens cleaning cloth
Cold weather gear:
- Insulated camera bag
- Hand warmers
- Headlamp with red light mode
- Ziplock bags for condensation protection
Planning tools:
- Aurora forecast app
- Weather app (Yr.no)
- Light pollution map
- Location scouting notes
Final Advice
Northern Lights photography combines technical skill with patience and luck. Master your camera settings before travelling, scout locations during daylight, and be prepared to wait. The aurora is unpredictable—some nights produce spectacular displays within minutes, whilst others require hours of patient watching.
With 2026’s exceptional solar activity, your chances of capturing stunning aurora images in Norway have never been better. Prepare thoroughly, dress warmly, and be ready when the lights appear. The effort is worth it—few photographic subjects match the magic of the Northern Lights dancing across an Arctic sky.
Photography tips in this guide are sourced from Visit Norway and Visit Tromsø. Last updated January 2026.