How to Photograph the Northern Lights

Last updated: June 2026

If natural wonders are your thing, Northern Lights photography in Iceland will truly delight you. Read through our tips before you take your trip way up north.

What exactly are the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights, otherwise known as the Aurora Borealis, are a spectacular natural light show caused by Earth’s magnetic field interacting with charged particles from the Sun. This visual masterpiece is visible from several high-latitude regions, with Iceland being among the best places to witness it. The best time to plan a trip to Iceland for Northern Lights photography is between late August and early April.

Essential camera gear for photographing the Northern Lights

  • Mirrorless camera. For the best results, you want a digital camera with a large image sensor — especially when using night photography settings. Mirrorless cameras are lighter than DSLRs, offer a wide lens and accessory range, and provide the manual controls you need to fine-tune your shots. A weather-sealed body is ideal for Iceland’s cold and unpredictable climate. Browse mirrorless cameras.
  • Wide-angle lens. A wide-angle lens provides the broad field of view needed to capture sweeping aurora displays. Both zoom and prime lenses work well, but a fast maximum aperture (f2.8 or wider) gives you more scope to handle low-light conditions without pushing ISO too high. Browse wide-angle lenses.
  • Tripod. Essential for night photography — the best Northern Lights shots would be impossible without one. Modern travel tripods are remarkably portable, and a lightweight option can easily fit in your camera bag. A tripod allows you to use the slow shutter speeds required for long-exposure night photography. For more on mastering long exposures after dark, see our long exposure astrophotography tips. Browse tripods.
  • Spare batteries. There’s nothing worse than running out of power mid-aurora. Cold temperatures drain batteries quickly, so pack at least two or three fully charged spares and keep them warm in an inner pocket until needed.
  • Remote shutter release. A remote helps you avoid motion blur by triggering the shutter without touching the camera. If your camera has Bluetooth, you may be able to use a smartphone app instead. Browse camera remotes.

The best camera settings for Northern Lights photography

  • Shoot in RAW. RAW files capture the maximum amount of data your sensor can record, giving you far more flexibility in editing. This is especially important for night photography, where getting the exposure perfect in-camera can be tricky.
  • Shoot in Manual Mode. Full manual control is essential for night photography. If you're not yet confident with manual controls, our beginner's guide to shooting in manual mode will get you up to speed quickly. You’ll need to dial in ISO, shutter speed, and aperture independently to get the best results.
  • ISO. Start at ISO 800 as a baseline and adjust based on the available light and your other settings. Keep in mind that higher ISO introduces more noise — so push it only as far as necessary.
  • Shutter speed. Somewhere in the range of 5–20 seconds is usually the sweet spot for Northern Lights photography, depending on how active the aurora is.
  • Aperture. An aperture of f2.8–f4 lets in enough light to keep ISO manageable without producing a depth of field that’s too shallow.
  • Use manual focus. Autofocus will struggle in low-light conditions. Switch to manual focus and use your camera’s live view to zoom in on a bright star or distant light to nail focus before you start shooting.

Final tips for the best Northern Lights photos

  • Review your shots. After your first few frames, pause to check focus and exposure on your LCD screen. It’s far better to catch issues early than to discover a memory card full of soft or poorly exposed images.
  • Prepare for the cold. Dress in warm layers, pack blankets, and bring a thermos of something hot. Staying comfortable is essential for both your safety and your ability to shoot for extended periods.
  • Enjoy yourself. The Northern Lights are a spectacular experience with or without a camera. Take some time away from the viewfinder to simply take it all in.

Get all the camera gear you need

If you’re still missing a few essentials for your trip, find everything you need for Northern Lights photography online at Ted’s Cameras, or visit one of our stores for in-person advice from our expert team.

Camera Settings for Photographing the Northern Lights with a Digital Camera

Getting your camera settings right is the single most important step when photographing the Northern Lights with a digital camera. Start with these proven settings as your baseline:

  • Mode: Full Manual (M)
  • Shutter speed: 10–25 seconds — shorter for fast-moving aurora, longer for faint displays
  • Aperture: f/1.8–f/2.8 to maximise light intake
  • ISO: Begin at ISO 1600 and adjust up to ISO 6400 if the scene is too dark
  • White balance: Set manually to 3500–4000K to preserve natural aurora colours
  • Focus: Switch to manual focus and set to infinity, then fine-tune using live view

Shoot in RAW format so you have full control over colour, noise and exposure during editing.

How to Photo the Aurora Borealis: A Step-by-Step Shooting Guide

Knowing how to photo the aurora borealis confidently comes down to preparation and a repeatable process. Follow these steps on location:

  1. Check the forecast. Use apps like Space Weather Live or My Aurora Forecast to monitor KP index — aim for KP 3 or above.
  2. Find a dark sky location. Drive at least 20–30 minutes from city light pollution. Lakes and coastlines add stunning foreground reflection.
  3. Set up your tripod. Stability is non-negotiable for long-exposure aurora shots.
  4. Compose your shot. Include a compelling foreground — mountains, waterfalls or snow-covered fields work beautifully in Iceland.
  5. Take a test shot. Review exposure and adjust ISO or shutter speed accordingly.
  6. Shoot continuously. Aurora activity changes rapidly — keep shooting to capture peak moments.

Filming the Northern Lights: Tips for Video

Filming the Northern Lights requires a slightly different approach to still photography, but the same core gear applies. To capture smooth aurora video:

  • Use a camera with 4K video capability and good high-ISO performance to handle low-light conditions.
  • Set a high ISO (3200–6400) and a wide aperture (f/1.8–f/2.8) to expose the scene correctly.
  • Use a slow frame rate — 24fps or 25fps — for a cinematic look. Avoid high frame rates, which can make aurora movement look unnatural.
  • Consider a timelapse. Shooting a timelapse sequence and assembling it in post is one of the most popular techniques for filming Northern Lights, revealing the aurora's full fluid movement over time. Our guide to time-lapse photography with a DSLR or mirrorless camera walks you through the full process.
  • Keep your batteries warm — cold drains power fast. Carry spares in an inner jacket pocket.

If you're new to shooting in the dark, our beginner's guide to astrophotography covers the Milky Way, Aurora Australis and night sky photography from the ground up.