First, watch before you photograph. A northern-lights display can be subtle, brief, and completely different from one moment to the next. Once you have looked up for a while, these simple preparations give you the best chance of bringing home a record of the night.
Keep it steady
Low-light photography benefits from stillness. Bring a compact tripod if you have one, or find a firm surface for your device. Use a timer or remote trigger so pressing the shutter does not move the frame.
Prepare your phone
Use your phone’s night mode if it has one. Turn off flash, clean the lens, and hold the phone still while it completes the exposure. A small power bank is useful in cold conditions, when batteries can lose charge more quickly.
Prepare your camera
For a camera, begin in manual mode with a wide aperture, then review the first frame and adjust slowly. Focus is usually the first challenge: use a distant bright point in the landscape or sky to check it carefully before the display begins.
Don’t forget the human details
Warm gloves, layers you can move in, and a little patience matter as much as a setting. Keep your spare battery warm in a pocket. If you are shooting through glass, switch off interior lights where possible and check for reflections before you start.
Let the night be the point
A photograph is a lovely memory, but it does not need to be the whole experience. Take a few frames, then put the device down. The sky is allowed to be just for you.
Thinking about a night under the glass roof? Explore the cabins, see Arctic experiences, or send an inquiry.