The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, are among nature’s most breathtaking spectacles. But capturing this incredible display of colors and light on an iPhone requires some preparation and technique.
This guide will help you capture the Northern Lights on your iPhone, covering settings, apps, and tips to make your photos truly stand out.
What Are the Northern Lights, and Why Are They Special to Photograph?
The Northern Lights are natural lights that fill the night sky with different shades of color, such as green, blue, and red. These lights appear in the sky when solar particles collide with the earth’s magnetic part.
At this time, the night sky is different, looking like usual. So it is the challenge of photographing devices, especially smartphones like the iPhone, how to capture this moment with a camera.
1. Preparing Your iPhone to Capture the Northern Lights
Follow all these steps to capture the Northern Lights with your iPhone.
1. Check Your iPhone’s Camera Capabilities
In the first step, check your camera capability. Because if you have an older model of iPhone, it is needed for low-light photography.
While newer iPhones have Night Mode and good sensors, they can easily take these pictures.
But older models may need third-party apps to capture this picture of the Northern Lights.
2. Turn Off Flash and HDR
Turn off your iPhone camera flash while capturing the northern lights, because it can disrupt the natural beauty of the aurora and show they overpower the delicate lights.
Also, HDR (High Dynamic Range) might interfere with night photography, so it’s best to turn it off.
3. Enable Live Photos or Night Mode (If Available)
- Live Photos: Live Photos can capture a few seconds before and after each shot, which can be helpful to capture subtle light shifts.
- Night Mode: For iPhones with Night Mode capability (iPhone 11 and later), turn it on when photographing the bright aurora in the night sky.
4. Adjust Focus and Exposure Settings
Where the lights have higher parts noticeable, touch on the screen and slide down or up to alter its splendor. This allows you to get more detail in low light.
2. Best Time and Place to Capture the Northern Lights on your iPhone
To increase your chances of a good shot, knowing when and where to find the aurora is essential.
1. Check Northern Lights Forecast Apps
- My Aurora Forecast: This is the best app for predicting the best time to see the Northern Lights.
- Aurora Alerts: Another popular app that gives Aurora visibility levels and weather conditions.
2. Choose a Dark, Open Location
Light pollution can also interfere with the visibility of and photographing the aurora. Find a location far from the city, perhaps with a good view of the northern sky.
Some of the most popular places for the Northern Lights include Alaska, Iceland, Norway, and Canada.
3. Plan for the Right Time of Year
September and March are the best months to view the Northern Lights. This period provides long nights and a better chance to catch the lights in full display.
3. How to Take Photos of Northern Lights on iPhone: Essential Camera Settings
The camera setting must be your priority for capturing the Northern Lights on your iPhone.
Here is how to set your camera.
1. Adjust the Exposure Time
Your exposure time must be about 1-10 seconds. So before capturing the Northern Lights, you must set your exposure time on your iPhone.
If you’re using a third-party app, you’ll likely have more control over exposure.
2. ISO Settings
ISO controls the camera’s sensitivity to light. A higher ISO setting, like 800 to 1600, can help capture the Northern Lights in low-light conditions. However, high ISO can also cause blurred photos, so adjust carefully.
3. Manual Focus
If possible, set your iPhone to manual focus. Lock the focus on the night sky by tapping and holding the screen. This will help keep the stars and aurora sharp.
4. Use Burst Mode for Movement
Since the Northern Lights are not static, we recommend using Burst Mode (found in other apps as well) to snap a series of photos quickly. In such cases, your odds of getting a clear and focused shot increase.
4. Top Apps to Capture Northern Lights Photography on iPhone
Since the iPhone’s native camera app has limitations, especially for low-light photography, using a third-party camera app can improve your results.
1. ProCamera
ProCamera If you want an app with a flexible feature set of manual controls, ProCamera lets you manually adjust ISO, exposure, and focus. Which is great for shooting the aurora in low light.
2. NightCap Camera
This one, NightCap Camera, is a great app for night and astrophotography in general just what you need for shooting the Northern Lights. The dedicated “Stars Mode” increases the low-light sensitivity.
3. Camera+ 2
Camera+ 2 offers manual exposure, ISO, and focus adjustments, helping you take more control of the lighting in your shot.
5. Essential Accessories to Capture Northern Lights on Your iPhone Photography
To get the best quality photos of the Northern Lights on iPhone, consider using the following accessories:
1. Tripod
A tripod is essential for long-exposure shots. Without a stable surface, even a slight hand movement can blur the image. A compact portable tripod for your iPhone, like the Joby GorillaPod, works well.
2. Remote Shutter or Timer
Using a remote shutter or a timer prevents any shake that can occur when tapping the camera button. Even a one-second delay can help stabilize the shot.
6. Tips for Capturing Stunning Northern Lights Photos on iPhone
Here are some additional tips for capturing the Northern Lights with your iPhone:
1. Arrive Early and Get Familiar with the Area
Arriving early to your viewing location allows you to set up, stress-free. Prepare for the aurora by knowing your camera settings and surroundings
2. Adjust the White Balance for Natural Colors
The Northern Lights can sometimes appear washed out if the white balance is too high. Adjust the white balance to capture the true green, blue, and pink hues of the aurora.
3. Experiment with Composition
Try including nearby elements, like trees, mountains, or water reflections, to add depth to your photo. This makes your Northern Lights photo more captivating.
7. Editing Your Northern Lights Photos on iPhone
Once you’ve captured your shots, editing can enhance their beauty.
1. Use Editing Apps
Apps like Lightroom, Snapseed, and VSCO offer features that allow you to fine-tune brightness, contrast, and color balance.
2. Adjust Brightness and Contrast
Carefully increase brightness and contrast to bring out the details of the Northern Lights without overexposing the image.
3. Enhance Colors Naturally
Enhancing the colors slightly can make the aurora look vibrant, but avoid overediting. Aim for a natural look that reflects the real-life beauty of the Northern Lights.
FAQs: How to Take Photos of Northern Lights on iPhone
1. Can I capture the Novibrant and Northern Lights on an older iPhone model?
Yes, you can capture the Northern Lights on an older iPhone model using third-party apps. But the new iPhone model (iPhone 11 or above) has advanced features like Night Mode, etc.
2. What should I do if my photos look grainy?
Increase the ISO only as much as needed and reduce it if you notice too much noise. Using a tripod and lowering the exposure time can also help reduce graininess
3. Do I need a professional camera to photograph the Northern Lights?
No, you can capture the Northern Lights with a normal camera on your iPhone. However, with the right settings and accessories, an iPhone can still capture impressive shots of the aurora.
4. Can I capture the Northern Lights if it’s cloudy?
Many clouds can still be dramatic, but a light clouds are often better for avoiding loss of view through clouds. Check out clear skies using an aurora forecast app.
5. How can I share my Northern Lights photos on social media?
Resize your images for the best quality on each platform and use relevant hashtags like #NorthernLights, #AuroraBorealis, and #iPhonePhotography to reach a larger audience.
Final Thoughts
Testing Photos on iPhone for Northern Lights is also testing the settings, tools, and techniques you will use. Patience and a few modifications can capture the beauty of aurora with a normal camera, not even a professional. Choose your moments Plant in advance Enjoy the moment you took pride in capturing.