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. 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. 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.