Want to capture the northern lights on your trip to Norway? From October – March, Narvik is the ideal destination for experiencing this stunning phenomenon.
If you have ever photographed in the dark, you know it is not always as straight forward as it looks. To make it a bit easier for you, we asked Norway’s best photographer, Chris Baldry, to share his tips for northern lights photography.
Whether you use your phone or a camera, a few simple adjustments can help you bring home a photo of the experience. From keeping your camera steady to finding the right settings.
The northern lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, change constantly. You might see a faint glow or bright curtains moving across the sky. There is no single setting that works every time, but you do not need to be an expert to get started.
Chris’s number one rule is simple: keep your camera still.
When you take photos in the dark, your camera needs time to capture enough light. If it moves during the exposure, the stars and northern lights can become blurred.
A tripod is your best option, but a table, railing or another solid surface can also help. Make sure your camera or phone rests securely, and avoid touching it while it takes the photo. A short self-timer delay lets you press the shutter and step back without shaking the camera.
Turn off the flash, too. It cannot light up the northern lights and may disturb other people enjoying the view.
You do not need a professional camera to try northern lights photography. If your phone has Night Mode, that is a good place to start.
Choose your frame, support your phone and keep it completely still until the photo has finished. This may take several seconds, so resist the urge to move it as soon as you tap the button.
If your phone or camera app allows manual controls, try these starting settings:
Many phones have a fixed aperture, so you may only be able to change the exposure time and ISO. That is enough to start experimenting.
Take a photo and check the result. Too dark? Try a longer exposure or a higher ISO. If the moving lights look smeared, shorten the exposure.
Using a camera with manual controls? Select Manual mode and use a wide-angle lens to include more of the sky and landscape.
Chris recommends the following settings as a starting point:
Aperture: f/1.4–f/2.8
Shutter: 1–5 sec
ISO: 800–3200
Focus: manual, near infinity
White balance: approx. 3500–4500K
What do these settings mean in practice?
Aperture controls how much light enters the lens. A low f-number gives you a wide opening, which helps in the dark. If your lens does not open to f/2.8, use its widest available aperture and adjust the other settings.
Shutter speed controls how long the camera captures light. A short exposure helps preserve the shape of fast-moving northern lights. A longer exposure can help capture a faint display, but may blur its movement.
ISO helps you adjust the brightness of the image. A higher ISO can make the photo brighter, although it may also introduce more grain, or noise.
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Autofocus can struggle with a dark sky. Switch to manual focus and use the screen’s magnified view to look at a bright star. Adjust the focus until the star looks as small and sharp as possible.
The infinity mark on your lens is a useful starting point but check the result instead of relying on the mark alone.
Once you have taken your first photo, use it to decide what to change:
Change one setting at a time so you can see what makes a difference.
The sky may be the main attraction, but what else can you include?
Mountains, a fjord or a person looking up can give your photo more context. In Narvik, try framing the lights above the surrounding peaks, or include a building to show where you experienced them.
Leave plenty of room for the sky while keeping something recognisable in the foreground. If you include a friend, ask them to stand still during the exposure.
Want to try something playful? Light painting lets you draw with a torch while the camera captures the scene.
Place your camera on a tripod and try a 5–15 second exposure. While the shutter is open, point a headtorch towards the camera and move it to:
Keep the light moving. Holding it in one place for too long can create a very bright spot.
This is a separate experiment from capturing crisp northern lights. The longer exposure gives you time to draw, but fast-moving aurora may look softer. Try it away from other photographers so your torch does not affect their photos.
Get familiar with your camera settings before heading out. Finding Night Mode or changing focus is much easier indoors than with cold fingers in the dark.
Dress warmly, charge your batteries and keep your phone or a spare battery in an inside pocket between shots. Choose a safe place to stop, with a clear view of the sky and as little artificial light as possible.
If you join a northern lights activity in Narvik, have your camera ready, but give yourself time to enjoy the evening too. A clear, dark sky helps, although a sighting is never guaranteed.
Aurora Borealis photography takes a little patience. As the lights brighten, fade or move faster, you may need to change your settings.
Take a photo, check it and adjust. Try a different angle or include more of the landscape. Each photo helps you understand what works.
And once you have a few pictures, put the camera down for a moment. Watching the northern lights move across the sky is part of the experience you came for.
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